504 vs. IEP: Why the Difference Changes Everything

What’s the real difference between a 504 Plan and an IEP? According to Karen Mayer Cunningham, the answer is simple: everything.

In this powerful episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen unpacks the critical distinctions between a Section 504 Plan and an Individualized Education Program (IEP)—and why settling for a 504 when your child needs an IEP can set them up for failure instead of success.

You’ll learn:

  • Why a 504 is not an education plan—and what that means for your child
  • What an IEP actually provides (data, instruction, and measurable progress)
  • How schools blur the lines between the two—and why Texas is #1 in IEP denial
  • The truth about how school staff “gaslight” parents into giving up
  • Karen’s mindset tools for staying firm, focused, and unshaken by school resistance
  • The 3Ws of advocacy: “We don’t waffle, waver, or water it down.”

💥 “You’re either setting a child up for destiny or destruction. There is no in-between.”

This is a must-listen for parents, educators, and advocates who want to understand why the IEP is essential—and how to keep pushing until every child gets what they need.

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

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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.

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