This week’s Ask the Advocate is a fast-paced Q&A covering what parents and educators are dealing with right now: staffing shortages, messy “tier” conversations, behavior needs being dismissed, and districts trying to move too fast (or stall completely) when the child needs support.
🧑🏫 Staffing, Paras, and “Who’s Allowed to Do What”
- Sub paras placed in self-contained/tier settings with no training—what to say and who to alert
- Can students be left alone with high school helpers?
- Can a short-term/long-term sub run a self-contained classroom for consecutive years?
📚 IEP Process, Documentation, and Data
- PWN: getting the denial in writing and why it matters
- Why Karen doesn’t want “service logs”—she wants raw data collection sheets tied to IEP goals
🚨 Behavior, Safety, and FAPE
- “IEPs are only for academics” — absolutely not
- Elopement: when the BIP isn’t working, you need a new FBA/BIP and stronger supports
🏫 Inclusion and Continuum of Placement
- “Inclusion only” with no pull-out/self-contained options = denial of the continuum
- Out-of-district placement: what documentation and patterns matter, and when it becomes urgent
Links & Resources
📘 Pre-order The Epic IEP + claim bonuses:
Order on Amazon (or anywhere you buy books), then submit your receipt at theepiciep.com
Book link: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom
Bonuses: https://www.theepiciep.com
🌐 Special Education Academy: https://www.specialeducationacademy.com
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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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🔗 Learn more at The Academy
📬 Have a question? Email us at advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
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🧠 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
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