In this Ask the Advocate episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers real-time questions from parents, educators, and advocates navigating complex IEP situations — from compensatory services and eligibility decisions to attendance struggles, team makeup, and school-based pushback.
This episode is a powerful reminder that IEPs are legal documents, teams are equal stakeholders, and schools do not get to reduce or redefine federal rights.
In this episode, Karen covers:
• When compensatory services are appropriate, (https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/theepiciep-courses/the-academy/) and why “closing gaps” is the wrong goal
• Why eligibility decisions matter — and how mislabeling harms services
• What to do when districts push students from an IEP to a 504
• Required members of an IEP committee (and what happens if someone leaves early)
• Attendance concerns, OCD, and capturing all student needs in the IEP
• Why some placements, pull-outs, and group decisions may be segregation, not support
• The difference between collaboration and schools acting as the “IEP referee.”
• How to think long-term about post-secondary outcomes, independence, and adult life
Karen also shares updates on The Epic IEP book, upcoming book tour stops, professional development trainings, and what’s next inside The Academy.
👉 Join The Epic IEP™Academy (https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/theepiciep-courses/the-academy/) :
[ (https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about) https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/theepiciep-courses/the-academy/]
📘 Get The Epic IEP (about:invalid#zCSafez) :
Available wherever books are sold.
🎧 Subscribe, follow, and share this episode with anyone who sits at an IEP or 504 table.
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.)
...
This episode is a powerful reminder that IEPs are legal documents, teams are equal stakeholders, and schools do not get to reduce or redefine federal rights.
In this episode, Karen covers:
• When compensatory services are appropriate, (https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/theepiciep-courses/the-academy/) and why “closing gaps” is the wrong goal
• Why eligibility decisions matter — and how mislabeling harms services
• What to do when districts push students from an IEP to a 504
• Required members of an IEP committee (and what happens if someone leaves early)
• Attendance concerns, OCD, and capturing all student needs in the IEP
• Why some placements, pull-outs, and group decisions may be segregation, not support
• The difference between collaboration and schools acting as the “IEP referee.”
• How to think long-term about post-secondary outcomes, independence, and adult life
Karen also shares updates on The Epic IEP book, upcoming book tour stops, professional development trainings, and what’s next inside The Academy.
👉 Join The Epic IEP™Academy (https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/theepiciep-courses/the-academy/) :
[ (https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about) https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/theepiciep-courses/the-academy/]
📘 Get The Epic IEP (about:invalid#zCSafez) :
Available wherever books are sold.
🎧 Subscribe, follow, and share this episode with anyone who sits at an IEP or 504 table.
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.)
...