We’re back with a no-holds-barred Ask the Advocate episode—and this one is fire. Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, is answering your most-asked questions with the clarity, humor, and wisdom you’ve come to expect.
Spoiler: It’s July. That means we’re in the second half of the year—and there’s still time to get in the game and fight for your child’s rights.
In this episode:
• How long schools have to evaluate your child (and what “school days” really mean)
• Whether a school can ignore a private evaluation
• Why behavior issues and good grades don’t cancel each other out
• The real job of a paraprofessional
• What to do when an aide is helping other students instead of yours
• The truth about MDRs, ESY, speech-only IEPs, and testing timelines
• Why “buckle down and listen” isn’t a valid intervention—and what to do instead
• The difference between a diagnosis and eligibility
• When and how to file a state complaint
Plus:
✅ Download our APP in your APP store, search ... Special Education Academy app
✅ A 50% OFF code for the 2-Day Intensive On-Demand (https://advocate.specialeducationacademy.com/on-demand/) (use code JULY at checkout!)
✅ Details on our in-person Florida training (July 19–20) (https://advocate.specialeducationacademy.com/in-person-intensive/) and the Group Mastermind starting July 27 (https://advocate.specialeducationacademy.com/mastermind-3/)
🎯 This episode is packed with practical strategies and powerful reminders that you are the expert on your child—and we’ve got your back.
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 Academy (https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about)
📬 Have a question? Email us at advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
📱 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.)
...
Spoiler: It’s July. That means we’re in the second half of the year—and there’s still time to get in the game and fight for your child’s rights.
In this episode:
• How long schools have to evaluate your child (and what “school days” really mean)
• Whether a school can ignore a private evaluation
• Why behavior issues and good grades don’t cancel each other out
• The real job of a paraprofessional
• What to do when an aide is helping other students instead of yours
• The truth about MDRs, ESY, speech-only IEPs, and testing timelines
• Why “buckle down and listen” isn’t a valid intervention—and what to do instead
• The difference between a diagnosis and eligibility
• When and how to file a state complaint
Plus:
✅ Download our APP in your APP store, search ... Special Education Academy app
✅ A 50% OFF code for the 2-Day Intensive On-Demand (https://advocate.specialeducationacademy.com/on-demand/) (use code JULY at checkout!)
✅ Details on our in-person Florida training (July 19–20) (https://advocate.specialeducationacademy.com/in-person-intensive/) and the Group Mastermind starting July 27 (https://advocate.specialeducationacademy.com/mastermind-3/)
🎯 This episode is packed with practical strategies and powerful reminders that you are the expert on your child—and we’ve got your back.
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 Academy (https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about)
📬 Have a question? Email us at advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
📱 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.)
...