What do you do when your school refuses to test, your teacher isn’t certified, or your child’s IEP goals aren’t being met?
In this Ask the Advocate episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers real parent and teacher questions about evaluations, progress reports, 504 Plans, IEP goals, behavioral supports, and everything in between—with humor, heart, and straight talk.

✨ In this episode:

• IEP report cards vs. progress reports—what’s required each grading period
• How to file a discrimination complaint through the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
• Why schools can’t “wait until 3rd grade” to evaluate
• Out-of-district (OOD) placement: when and how students can return
• What happens when uncertified teachers or long-term subs teach special education
• How to respond when a service provider is causing trauma
• Missing data, unimplemented IEPs, and how to request compensatory services
• Clarifying PWN, raw data, and progress reports
• Behavior plans, transitions, and when to request an FBA
• What’s really required for child find, MTSS, and evaluations
• How to prepare for your IEP meeting like a pro
• Why brushing your teeth isn’t an academic goal (and why humor helps!)
• Understanding resource, placement, and curb-to-curb transportation
• The truth about 504 Plans vs. IEPs — and why Karen prefers an Epic IEP

📘 Bonus: Learn more about Karen’s upcoming book, The Epic IEP: A Powerful Playbook for Parents, Educators, and Advocates.
Order your copy on Amazon and unlock $500 worth of free bonuses when you register at TheEpicIEP.com

🔗 Links 

• Join The Academy (250+ hours of on-demand training):
  https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about
• Work with an Advocate: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
• Pre-Order Karen’s Book:
  The Epic IEP on Amazon
  
  Then visit TheEpicIEP.com to

Support the show

✨ 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

📬 Have a question? Email us at advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

📱 Follow Karen on:

• TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
• YouTube: Special Education Academy

🧠 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.)

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