School is back, and so are the questions. In this back-to-school Ask the Advocate, Karen Mayer Cunningham takes them live from parents, advocates, and educators sitting at the IEP and 504 table.
You don't know what you don't know, but you need to. This episode helps you close that gap and walk into your next meeting prepared.
In this episode:
• Modifications vs. accommodations, and what to do when a modification isn't written anywhere in the IEP
• Why doing anything outside the IEP is a violation, and how "codified" means it is the law
• Resource rooms and the continuum of placements: what a school is actually required to offer
• The three phrases that govern paraprofessionals: direct supervision, close proximity, and frequent contact
• When a one-to-one para is warranted, and when it sets up learned dependency
• How to file a complaint the right way when you are a district employee
• Removing your child for safety, the written notice reimbursement requires, and where homeschool fits
• Eligibility questions: IEP goals, OHI vs. Orthopedic Impairment, and communication supports
• The back-to-school mindset: speak the promise, not the problem, and assume competency
Do you know your rights? This is why we sit at the table prepared.
Resources and next steps:
• Join the Special Education Academy (https://specialeducationacademy.com/training)
• The Two-Day Special Education Advocacy Intensive (https://specialeducationacademy.com/2-day) (live virtual, Saturday and Sunday, August 22 and 23, 2026, 9:00 to 5:00; also available on demand)
• The Fall Mastermind (https://specialeducationacademy.com/mastermind) (begins September 10; the Two-Day Intensive is the prerequisite)
• The Epic IEP™ book family (https://theepiciep.com/) (playbook, law book, workbook, and PARA book)
Listen and subscribe: Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/special-education-boss-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/id1805933912) • Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/03I43tikXlYvR6xIe3F24w) • Buzzsprout (https://specialeducationboss.buzzsprout.com/) • iHeart Radio (https://iheart.com/podcast/271518986/) • Amazon Music (https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d75378a3-0f8b-4fd1-989b-67a5723b5377/special-education-boss%C2%AE-with-karen-mayer-cunningham)
Connect: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/specialeducationboss/) • Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SpecialEducationBoss/) • TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@specialeducationboss)
This is educational training, not legal advice. Special Education Boss® educates and prepares parents, advocates, and professionals. It does not provide legal representation.
"When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody." — Karen Mayer Cunningham
Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/2464872/support)
✨ 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 Epic IEP™ Academy (https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/theepiciep-courses/the-academy/) First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
📱 Follow Karen on:
• TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@specialeducationboss) & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
• YouTube: Special Education Academy (https://www.youtube.com/c/SpecialEducationAcademy/videos)
🧠 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.)
Because when...
You don't know what you don't know, but you need to. This episode helps you close that gap and walk into your next meeting prepared.
In this episode:
• Modifications vs. accommodations, and what to do when a modification isn't written anywhere in the IEP
• Why doing anything outside the IEP is a violation, and how "codified" means it is the law
• Resource rooms and the continuum of placements: what a school is actually required to offer
• The three phrases that govern paraprofessionals: direct supervision, close proximity, and frequent contact
• When a one-to-one para is warranted, and when it sets up learned dependency
• How to file a complaint the right way when you are a district employee
• Removing your child for safety, the written notice reimbursement requires, and where homeschool fits
• Eligibility questions: IEP goals, OHI vs. Orthopedic Impairment, and communication supports
• The back-to-school mindset: speak the promise, not the problem, and assume competency
Do you know your rights? This is why we sit at the table prepared.
Resources and next steps:
• Join the Special Education Academy (https://specialeducationacademy.com/training)
• The Two-Day Special Education Advocacy Intensive (https://specialeducationacademy.com/2-day) (live virtual, Saturday and Sunday, August 22 and 23, 2026, 9:00 to 5:00; also available on demand)
• The Fall Mastermind (https://specialeducationacademy.com/mastermind) (begins September 10; the Two-Day Intensive is the prerequisite)
• The Epic IEP™ book family (https://theepiciep.com/) (playbook, law book, workbook, and PARA book)
Listen and subscribe: Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/special-education-boss-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/id1805933912) • Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/03I43tikXlYvR6xIe3F24w) • Buzzsprout (https://specialeducationboss.buzzsprout.com/) • iHeart Radio (https://iheart.com/podcast/271518986/) • Amazon Music (https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d75378a3-0f8b-4fd1-989b-67a5723b5377/special-education-boss%C2%AE-with-karen-mayer-cunningham)
Connect: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/specialeducationboss/) • Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SpecialEducationBoss/) • TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@specialeducationboss)
This is educational training, not legal advice. Special Education Boss® educates and prepares parents, advocates, and professionals. It does not provide legal representation.
"When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody." — Karen Mayer Cunningham
Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/2464872/support)
✨ 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 Epic IEP™ Academy (https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/theepiciep-courses/the-academy/) First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
📱 Follow Karen on:
• TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@specialeducationboss) & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
• YouTube: Special Education Academy (https://www.youtube.com/c/SpecialEducationAcademy/videos)
🧠 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.)
Because when...