School is back, and the questions are already stacking up. In this back-to-school Ask the Advocate, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers live questions from parents, advocates, and educators at the IEP and 504 table.
You don't know what you don't know, but you need to. This is why we sit at the table prepared.
WHAT WE COVER
Modifications vs. accommodations and what to do when a modification isn't written in the IEP, why anything outside the IEP is a violation, resource rooms and the continuum of placements, the three phrases that govern paraprofessionals, when a one-to-one para is and isn't warranted, filing complaints the right way as a district employee, removing your child for safety and the written notice reimbursement requires, homeschool and district obligations, eligibility (IEP goals, OHI vs. Orthopedic Impairment, communication supports), and the back-to-school mindset of preparation over panic.
CHAPTERS (approximate, sync to final edit)
00:00 Welcome back to school
05:40 Modifications vs. accommodations: what to do when it isn't written
08:30 Special day class and how many goals belong in an IEP
10:00 How to become an advocate
11:20 Communication supports, VOCD, and the SETT framework
14:00 Paraprofessionals: direct supervision, close proximity, frequent contact
19:00 Filing a complaint the right way as an employee
23:00 When the district stops communicating
24:30 Removing your child, private placement, and reimbursement
26:30 The Epic IEP™ book family
31:00 Eligibility: OHI vs. Orthopedic Impairment and class size
35:00 When the school calls you to pick up your child
37:00 Not ready for kindergarten: speak the promise, not the problem
43:00 Same para year after year, and when a para is warranted
46:00 Self-contained settings and least restrictive environment
49:30 When a parent won't allow testing
RESOURCES AND NEXT STEPS
Join the Special Education Academy: https://specialeducationacademy.com
The Epic IEP™ book family (playbook, law book, workbook, and PARA book): https://theepiciep.com
Register for the 2-day Training: https://specialeducationacademy.com/2-day
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
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
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-mayer-cunningham-10888127/
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
You don't know what you don't know, but you need to. This is why we sit at the table prepared.
WHAT WE COVER
Modifications vs. accommodations and what to do when a modification isn't written in the IEP, why anything outside the IEP is a violation, resource rooms and the continuum of placements, the three phrases that govern paraprofessionals, when a one-to-one para is and isn't warranted, filing complaints the right way as a district employee, removing your child for safety and the written notice reimbursement requires, homeschool and district obligations, eligibility (IEP goals, OHI vs. Orthopedic Impairment, communication supports), and the back-to-school mindset of preparation over panic.
CHAPTERS (approximate, sync to final edit)
00:00 Welcome back to school
05:40 Modifications vs. accommodations: what to do when it isn't written
08:30 Special day class and how many goals belong in an IEP
10:00 How to become an advocate
11:20 Communication supports, VOCD, and the SETT framework
14:00 Paraprofessionals: direct supervision, close proximity, frequent contact
19:00 Filing a complaint the right way as an employee
23:00 When the district stops communicating
24:30 Removing your child, private placement, and reimbursement
26:30 The Epic IEP™ book family
31:00 Eligibility: OHI vs. Orthopedic Impairment and class size
35:00 When the school calls you to pick up your child
37:00 Not ready for kindergarten: speak the promise, not the problem
43:00 Same para year after year, and when a para is warranted
46:00 Self-contained settings and least restrictive environment
49:30 When a parent won't allow testing
RESOURCES AND NEXT STEPS
Join the Special Education Academy: https://specialeducationacademy.com
The Epic IEP™ book family (playbook, law book, workbook, and PARA book): https://theepiciep.com
Register for the 2-day Training: https://specialeducationacademy.com/2-day
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
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
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-mayer-cunningham-10888127/
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