What happens when you find yourself asking, “Can the school do that?”

In this episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham — Special Education Boss and author of The Epic IEP — breaks down one of the most common (and frustrating) questions in special education.

Karen explains the difference between what schools can do, what they should do, and what’s legally enforceable under IDEA and FAPE. Drawing from nearly three decades of advocacy experience and thousands of IEP meetings, she shares why focusing on “what’s next” is far more powerful than asking “why did they do that?”

You’ll learn:
✅ When a school’s actions cross the line from wrong to unlawful
✅ How to use your procedural safeguards to take effective next steps
✅ What makes a strong state complaint or OCR complaint
✅ Why special education isn’t just a program — it’s a civil right
✅ How to keep the focus on solutions, not frustration

Karen also answers real questions from parents and educators on:

• IEP disagreements and signatures
• Privacy violations by staff
• Inclusion and self-contained models
• Adaptive PE and 504 confusion

📘 Order the book: The Epic IEP — your powerful playbook for parents, educators, and advocates navigating the special education process.
👉 Order on Amazon

Then visit TheEpicIEP.com
to claim $500 in exclusive bonuses!

💡 Join The Academy:
The EPIC IEP Academy is the premier weekly professional development community training parents, educators, and advocates to navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes — in real time.
👉 Join here

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

👩‍⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss®
Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.

👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week!
🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources
🔗 Learn more at The Academy

📬 Have a question? Email us at [email protected]

📱 Follow Karen on:

• TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
• YouTube: Special Education Academy

🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game?
Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.

📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl
(As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)

...

Who did Karen Mayer Cunningham write The Epic IEP for—and why?

In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen opens up about the heart and mission behind her brand-new book, The Epic IEP—a powerful, actionable playbook for parents, educators, and advocates who sit at the IEP table.

For nearly three decades, Karen has trained thousands to navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes. But she knew there needed to be a way for everyone—regardless of experience—to have access to the exact protocols, processes, and practices she’s used to help students thrive.

📘 The Epic IEP isn’t another academic text or legal manual—it’s an actionable guide that turns confusion into confidence. Whether you’re facing evaluations, writing goals, preparing for ESY, or sitting in your very first IEP meeting, this book gives you the framework to do it right. Because when the paperwork isn’t right, the program can’t be right.

✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Who The Epic IEP was written for (and why it matters)
• Why “getting on the same page” at the IEP table changes everything
• How the book bridges the gap between law, language, and implementation
• Why Karen calls it a powerful playbook—not a book of information dumps
• Real questions from parents, advocates, and teachers—and Karen’s answers

🎧 Resources Mentioned:
👉 Pre-order The Epic IEP on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom

Then visit https://theepiciep.com
to submit your receipt and unlock $500 in pre-order bonuses, including a free ticket to the Epic IEP Summit!

🎓 Get Weekly Training:
Join The Epic IEP Academy, the premiere professional development community for parents, educators, and advocates learning to serve students at the highest level—every Monday night.
➡️ https://specialeducationacademy.com/training

📲 Download the free Special Education Academy App on iOS + Android.

💬 Connect:
Follow Karen Mayer Cunningham everywhere — YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn — @SpecialEducationBoss

“Whe

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

👩‍⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss®
Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.

👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week!
🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources
🔗 Learn more at The Academy

📬 Have a question? Email us at [email protected]

📱 Follow Karen on:

• TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
• YouTube: Special Education Academy

🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game?
Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.

📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl
(As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)

...

Are districts allowed to require teletherapy or virtual delivery for your child’s IEP services?

Today, I’m unpacking what IDEA actually requires about how services are delivered—and why “remote-only” isn’t a blanket substitute for direct, in-person services when schools are open.

We walk through the federal requirements (34 CFR §300.320/.324) in plain language—no legalese—and use real meeting scripts to help you push for services that are appropriate, effective, and delivered with fidelity (direct vs. consult, group vs. individual, staffing, setting, and data collection).

📘 Pre-Order the Book: The Epic IEP

The exact framework I’ve used for 25+ years—written for parents, educators, and advocates.
➡️ Amazon (official link): https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom

Then claim $500 in pre-order bonuses at TheEpicIEP.com.

🎓 Join The Academy

250+ hours of training to help everyone at the IEP/504 table navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes.
👉 https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

👩‍🏫 Paraprofessional Webinar (Free)

November 5, 2025 • 7:00 PM CST — roles, responsibilities, and limitations, plus how to avoid para-as-provider models that deny FAPE.
Register at SpecialEducationAcademy.com.

💌 Need support?

Our trained advocates serve families nationwide (remote).
Email [email protected]
for records review or meeting support.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

👩‍⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss®
Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.

👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week!
🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources
🔗 Learn more at The Academy

📬 Have a question? Email us at [email protected]

📱 Follow Karen on:

• TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
• YouTube: Special Education Academy

🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game?
Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.

📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl
(As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)

...

Is homework required by law?
In this episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham — the Special Education Boss® — breaks down one of the most common questions families bring to the IEP table: “Is homework legal, and what happens when it causes more harm than help?”

Karen explains what IDEA, ESSA, and state laws actually say about homework (spoiler: nothing requires it).

She also answers real questions from parents, educators, and paraprofessionals across the country, including:

✨ How to request testing to move from a 504 Plan to an IEP
✨ How 504s apply to afterschool programs run by outside companies
✨ Steps to take if testing was conducted without parental consent
✨ How to challenge incorrect placements or restrictive classroom settings

💡 Plus, Karen announces the upcoming Paraprofessional Training Webinar — November 5 at 7 PM CST!
Register now at SpecialEducationAcademy.com

📘 Order Karen’s new book, The Epic IEP
Now available for pre-order on Amazon!
➡️ https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom

Then visit TheEpicIEP.com
to claim $500 in pre-order bonuses — including tools, templates, and advocacy resources.

🎓 Join The Academy
Get 250+ hours of training that teach you how to navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes at the IEP/504 table.
👉 Join The Academy

📩 Need help or records review?
Email: [email protected]
— Our trained advocates serve families nationwide.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

👩‍⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss®
Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.

👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week!
🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources
🔗 Learn more at The Academy

📬 Have a question? Email us at [email protected]

📱 Follow Karen on:

• TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
• YouTube: Special Education Academy

🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game?
Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.

📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl
(As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)

...

Karen Mayer Cunningham, Special Education Boss®, trains everyone at the 504 and IEP table to navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes. In this episode, she addresses one of the most common questions in special education: Is homework required for students with disabilities?

From there, Karen answers a series of real-world Questions of the Day, offering clarity and actionable steps on topics including:

✅ When and how to move from a 504 Plan to an IEP
✅ Adaptive physical education (APE) and interstate transfers
✅ After-school programs and 504 Plan obligations
✅ Implementing IEPs when moving between states
✅ Obligations for virtual and alternative schools under IDEA

If you’re a parent, advocate, or educator navigating IEPs or 504 Plans, this episode offers clear, practical guidance to help you prepare, participate, and protect student rights effectively.

📚 Resources & Next Steps

📘 Pre-Order Karen’s New Book — The Epic IEP
A powerful playbook for parents, educators, and advocates navigating the special education process.
Order now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom

Then visit TheEpicIEP.com
to register your purchase and unlock $500 in exclusive pre-order bonuses.

🎓 Register for the Paraprofessional Training
Wednesday, November 5 at 7 PM CST
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rAYP4WpfR5eJlwC5LZyxsg

📬 Advocacy Support Available Nationwide
Email: [email protected]
for information about records reviews and IEP/504 support.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

👩‍⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss®
Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.

👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week!
🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources
🔗 Learn more at The Academy

📬 Have a question? Email us at [email protected]

📱 Follow Karen on:

• TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
• YouTube: Special Education Academy

🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game?
Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.

📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl
(As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)

...

Can a parent dismiss a member of the IEP team? What if a related service provider says “nothing’s changing” — do they still have to attend?

In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham explains who must attend every IEP meeting, when you can legally excuse someone, and how to protect your child’s educational rights when team members are missing.

You’ll learn:

• The five federally required IEP team members
• The right (and wrong) way to excuse a provider
• Why “we talked to mom” is not a substitute for attendance
• What happens when data changes and a provider isn’t there
• How to handle team dismissals legally and strategically

Karen also answers live questions about:
• 504 confidentiality
• Bullying and safety
• Accommodations for trauma, ADHD, and PTSD
• Paraprofessionals and missed minutes
• Student teachers and service minutes
• When a teacher violates the IEP
• Placement decisions and LRE

📘 Pre-order The Epic IEP
A powerful playbook for parents, educators, and advocates navigating the special education system.
👉 Order on Amazon

Then visit TheEpicIEP.com
to claim your $500 in bonuses.

🎓 Join The Academy for ongoing training and community:
👉 https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

✉️ Need help or representation? Email: [email protected]

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

👩‍⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss®
Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.

👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week!
🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources
🔗 Learn more at The Academy

📬 Have a question? Email us at [email protected]

📱 Follow Karen on:

• TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
• YouTube: Special Education Academy

🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game?
Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.

📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl
(As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)

...

What Goes in an IEP? Present Levels + Questions of the Day

In this powerful episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham breaks down exactly what belongs inside an IEP — and why understanding the present levels of academic achievement and functional performance is critical to getting it right for every child.

Karen walks through the four required components of the IEP under federal law (IDEA §300.324), explaining what each section really means — beyond what the software says — and how parents, educators, and advocates can use this knowledge to drive meaningful outcomes.

You’ll also hear real-life examples from IEP meetings, including how to interpret evaluation results, what percentile rankings actually tell you, and why parents should always have a copy of the IEP draft before a meeting.

Then, stay tuned as Karen answers the Top 10 “Questions of the Day” from parents, teachers, and advocates across the country. 

📘 Featured Resource:
👉 The Epic IEP — A powerful playbook for parents, educators, and advocates navigating the special education process.
Order now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom

Then visit TheEpicIEP.com to unlock $500 in exclusive pre-order bonuses!

📚 Join The Academy:
Train with Karen inside Special Education Academy
— 250+ hours of advocacy training, weekly updates, and real-world tools for navigating IEPs and 504s.

🟣 Connect + Learn More

• Website: SpecialEducationAcademy.com
• Email: [email protected]
• YouTube: Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

👩‍⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss®
Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.

👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week!
🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources
🔗 Learn more at The Academy

📬 Have a question? Email us at [email protected]

📱 Follow Karen on:

• TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
• YouTube: Special Education Academy

🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game?
Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.

📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl
(As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)

...

What do you do when your school refuses to test, your teacher isn’t certified, or your child’s IEP goals aren’t being met?
In this Ask the Advocate episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers real parent and teacher questions about evaluations, progress reports, 504 Plans, IEP goals, behavioral supports, and everything in between—with humor, heart, and straight talk.

✨ In this episode:

• IEP report cards vs. progress reports—what’s required each grading period
• How to file a discrimination complaint through the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
• Why schools can’t “wait until 3rd grade” to evaluate
• Out-of-district (OOD) placement: when and how students can return
• What happens when uncertified teachers or long-term subs teach special education
• How to respond when a service provider is causing trauma
• Missing data, unimplemented IEPs, and how to request compensatory services
• Clarifying PWN, raw data, and progress reports
• Behavior plans, transitions, and when to request an FBA
• What’s really required for child find, MTSS, and evaluations
• How to prepare for your IEP meeting like a pro
• Why brushing your teeth isn’t an academic goal (and why humor helps!)
• Understanding resource, placement, and curb-to-curb transportation
• The truth about 504 Plans vs. IEPs — and why Karen prefers an Epic IEP

📘 Bonus: Learn more about Karen’s upcoming book, The Epic IEP: A Powerful Playbook for Parents, Educators, and Advocates.
Order your copy on Amazon and unlock $500 worth of free bonuses when you register at TheEpicIEP.com

🔗 Links 

• Join The Academy (250+ hours of on-demand training):
  https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about
• Work with an Advocate: [email protected]
• Pre-Order Karen’s Book:
  The Epic IEP on Amazon
  
  Then visit TheEpicIEP.com to

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

👩‍⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss®
Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.

👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week!
🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources
🔗 Learn more at The Academy

📬 Have a question? Email us at [email protected]

📱 Follow Karen on:

• TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
• YouTube: Special Education Academy

🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game?
Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.

📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl
(As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)

...

n this episode of Ask the Advocate, Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, dives deep into the questions flooding her inbox every week — from paraprofessionals and IEP goals to compensatory services, parent rights, and what really happens when the law isn’t followed.

Joined by Cindy, Karen breaks down complex special education issues with humor, honesty, and heart. You’ll learn how to recognize violations, protect your child’s rights, and walk into IEP meetings more informed and confident than ever before.

📘 The Epic IEP Is Coming!
Karen’s groundbreaking new book The Epic IEP™ is now available for pre-order at TheEpicIEP.com
.
When you pre-order your hardcover copy and return to register your receipt, you’ll unlock $500 in exclusive bonuses, including:
✨ Reader’s Guide
✨ Mini Book of Karen Quotes
✨ Private Epic IEP Book Club
✨ Exclusive Author Q&A Session
✨ 6-Hour Live IEP Summit on February 5, 2026

Whether you’re a parent, paraprofessional, teacher, or advocate, this episode will give you the clarity and courage to sit at the IEP table fully equipped.

IN THIS EPISODE:
🎯 Can paraprofessionals teach small groups without a special educator?
🎯 How to know if your child’s IEP goals are being met
🎯 What to do when your district lacks certified teachers
🎯 The power of effective advocacy—and where to start

RESOURCES MENTIONED:
📚 Pre-Order The Epic IEP: TheEpicIEP.com
🎓 Join The Academy: https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about
💌 Request an Advocate: [email protected]

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

👩‍⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss®
Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.

👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week!
🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources
🔗 Learn more at The Academy

📬 Have a question? Email us at [email protected]

📱 Follow Karen on:

• TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
• YouTube: Special Education Academy

🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game?
Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.

📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl
(As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)

...

Walking into an IEP meeting without a plan is how we end up tabling, redoing, and wasting time. In today’s TT Lunch Live, Karen lays out her exact meeting modality—what to request, what to review, and how to build an EPIC IEP that actually drives progress.

What we cover:

• The four documents Karen always has open: last FIE, 36 weeks of progress reports, last annual IEP, and the current draft
• How to open the meeting (hint: don’t jump straight to present levels)
• Building pristine, prescriptive, “puffy” Present Levels (strengths, needs, and input from everyone who provides an educational product)
• Elevating parent concerns into the Present Levels (34 CFR §300.324) instead of burying them in deliberations
• LRE ≠ “get back to general ed”; understanding continuum of placements (34 CFR §300.115) and why resource still exists
• Building the Schedule of Services after Present Levels, Goals, Accommodations, and LRE are solid
• Practical advocacy: creating a “Zach Pack,” sharing the IEP with all teachers (including electives), and partnering with staff

Resources mentioned:

• Pre-order Karen’s new book The Epic IEP + unlock bonuses: https://theepiciep.com
• Federal regulations online (eCFR) and IDEA references (e.g., §300.324 review/revise IEP; §300.115 continuum of placements)

Call to Action

• Join The Academy for weekly, no-fluff training and Q&A: https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about
• Questions? Email: [email protected]
• Subscribe and share this episode with a friend at the IEP/504 table.

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

👩‍⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss®
Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.

👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week!
🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources
🔗 Learn more at The Academy

📬 Have a question? Email us at [email protected]

📱 Follow Karen on:

• TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
• YouTube: Special Education Academy

🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game?
Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.

📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl
(As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)

...