In this powerful IEP & 504 Q&A episode of Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham, we tackle YOUR real-world special education questions—straight from the comments—about eligibility, accommodations, modifications, evaluations, placement, behavior, related services, and more.
Karen breaks down complicated situations into clear, actionable strategies so parents, advocates, and educators can navigate and negotiate at the IEP/504 table with confidence. From early childhood through high school, you'll hear practical examples, federal/state requirements, and the advocacy mindset you need to ensure every student receives a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).
In This Episode:
- 📚 Why brand-name programs like Barton shouldn’t be written into IEP goals—and how to still secure the instruction your child needs.
- 🎒 Kindergarten readiness: why holding a child back in preschool can have long-term consequences, and how to use the IEP to prepare instead.
- 💰 Special education funding—where it comes from and what it can (and can’t) be used for.
- 🧩 Behavior plans: identifying deficits, teaching replacement skills, and ensuring the right level of in-class support.
- ✂️ Resource class minutes—when crafts and rewards are okay, and when they cross the line.
- 🚌 Transportation and field trips—what schools are required to provide and when parent attendance is not required.
- 📋 Data collection: who’s responsible, how to make it meaningful, and why grades are never IEP goals.
- 🛠️ Modifications vs. curriculum integrity—how to change learner expectations without violating program requirements.
- ⚖️ Denied 504 Plans: how to appeal, what to document, and when to push for an IEP evaluation.
- 🚨 Failing implementation: when to escalate to a state complaint or OCR filing.
- 🎯 Becoming an advocate: why training matters and how to start today.
Karen also dives into high-impact topics like:
- Teachers providing instruction outside their certification scope.
- Special education classroom ratios and staffing shortages.
- Compensatory services for missed speech therapy.
- OCR complaints for language access violations.
- How “harmful effect” and “meaningful benefit” factor into Least Restrictive
✨ 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 advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
📱 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.
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(As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
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