When it comes to IEP meetings, three key elements can make or break the process: Time, Prep, and Participation. In this episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, unpacks what parents, educators, and advocates need to know to ensure these rights are respected.

Too often, parents are told the meeting has already been scheduled, drafts are withheld, or their concerns will just be “noted.” Karen breaks down why none of those responses align with IDEA, and what steps you can take to prepare and participate as an equal team member.

✨ Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

• Time → Why IEP meetings must be scheduled at a mutually agreed upon time (not just whenever the school decides).
• Prep → Why parents are entitled to a full draft of the IEP ahead of time so they can make informed decisions.
• Participation → What meaningful participation really means, and how parent concerns must be embedded in the present levels of the IEP, not just sidelined in deliberations.

Karen shares practical scripts for emailing the school, real-life examples from her 29 years of experience, and strategies to make sure you walk into every IEP meeting prepared.

💡 Remember: IEP meetings are business meetings. Preparation and collaboration are key to getting it right for the child.

👉 Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
📖 The Epic IEP™ Book → https://theepiciep.com

📚 The Academy (250+ Hours of Training) → https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

✉️ Contact us → [email protected]

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✨ 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]

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• YouTube: Special Education Academy

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