In this live Q&A episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers real questions from parents, educators, and advocates about some of the biggest special education issues showing up right now.
From dyslexia tools and ADHD support to paraprofessional roles, raw data, ESY, reading levels, 18–21 transition services, and IEP service minutes, this conversation is packed with practical insight to help you show up more prepared at the table.
In this episode, Karen covers:
✨ Tools that may support students with dyslexia, including Learning Ally and Kurzweil
✨ Whether behavior services can be provided under SLD eligibility
✨ What paraprofessionals can and cannot do in special education settings
✨ What “raw data” means and why families ask for it
✨ How to think about reading levels, progress monitoring, and instructional need
✨ What ESY means and the two-part question teams should be asking
✨ Questions around transition services, 18–21 programming, and community readiness
✨ How educators can document concerns when students need more support than general education can provide
Karen also shares updates on new resources, including The Epic IEP™ Para, The Epic IEP™ Guide to Federal and State Laws, and what’s coming next for educators inside the Special Education Academy community.
Resources + Next Steps
Join The Epic IEP™ Academy here (https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/theepiciep-courses/the-academy/) .
Explore Karen’s trainings, books, and resources, here (https://specialeducationacademy.com/training) .
Be sure to follow, like, share, and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Special Education Boss®.
Important Reminder
We’re not giving legal advice. We’re educating you.
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...
From dyslexia tools and ADHD support to paraprofessional roles, raw data, ESY, reading levels, 18–21 transition services, and IEP service minutes, this conversation is packed with practical insight to help you show up more prepared at the table.
In this episode, Karen covers:
✨ Tools that may support students with dyslexia, including Learning Ally and Kurzweil
✨ Whether behavior services can be provided under SLD eligibility
✨ What paraprofessionals can and cannot do in special education settings
✨ What “raw data” means and why families ask for it
✨ How to think about reading levels, progress monitoring, and instructional need
✨ What ESY means and the two-part question teams should be asking
✨ Questions around transition services, 18–21 programming, and community readiness
✨ How educators can document concerns when students need more support than general education can provide
Karen also shares updates on new resources, including The Epic IEP™ Para, The Epic IEP™ Guide to Federal and State Laws, and what’s coming next for educators inside the Special Education Academy community.
Resources + Next Steps
Join The Epic IEP™ Academy here (https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/theepiciep-courses/the-academy/) .
Explore Karen’s trainings, books, and resources, here (https://specialeducationacademy.com/training) .
Be sure to follow, like, share, and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Special Education Boss®.
Important Reminder
We’re not giving legal advice. We’re educating you.
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...