Parents want the best. The law wants appropriate. In this episode, Jeremy and Erin explore how those aren’t always the same thing and why giving in to a preferred methodology can sometimes create more problems than it solves. From music therapy to methodology myths, they break down what IDEA really requires (and what it doesn’t).

Looking for more on this topic? Check out this earlier episode: Season 3, Episode 13 Methodology.

Here's a link to the children's book Jeremy references in this episode!

When “a class within a class” becomes reality, what’s a district supposed to do? In this episode, Jeremy and Erin dig into the legal and practical considerations that come with moving a student from general education to a self‑contained environment. They walk through what teams must consider, what districts can do, and how to make sure support ends up where it’s most effective. A shift in placement isn’t about giving up; it’s about matching services to student needs in a defensible, well‑documented way.

Looking for more on this topic? Check out: Season 4, Episode 8: On the Call: Safety Fears and LRE Considerations, and Season 4, Episode 1: Kindergarten IAES

What happens when a student with an IEP is caught with weed at school, and everyone says, “We don’t need an MDR! It’s drugs!”? In this episode, Jeremy and Erin unpack a federal court decision that turned that approach upside down. They talk discipline days, interim placements, settlement agreements that come back to haunt you, and how to keep your district out of the crosshairs while still holding students accountable. Spoiler Alert: “Ignore the IEP until this blows over” is not a winning strategy.

Looking for more on MDR? Check out these episodes:

• Season 1, Episode 1: On the Call: MDR Basics
• Season 2, Episode 11: On the Call: MDR Unidentified Student and Request for Evaluation

A sock full of rocks and a hallway surprise,
One clunky, thunky moment that opened some eyes.
Erin and Jeremy dive in deep
To a Wisconsin case where the problems ran steep.

A reevaluation? Too narrow in scope.
A BIP untouched, and there went the hope.
What started as one small safety blip
Turned quickly to FAPE starting to slip.

When manifestations found, what must teams do?
How wide should the reevaluation review?
With practical pointers, steady and sound,
They map the next steps when behavior comes around!

*Be sure to check out the earlier episodes related to this topic: Season 1, Episode 1: On the Call: MDR Basics and Season 2, Episode 11: On the Call: MDR Unidentified Student and Request for Evaluation

A substitute walks into a classroom, and the documentation walks out the door. In this episode, Erin and Jeremy explore how staffing shortages, substitute coverage, and inconsistent service logs can lead to materials failures to implement an IEP. They dive into a case in which missing logs and missing staff led to a denial of FAPE. They share practical strategies for tracking service delivery, preparing substitutes, and communicating service gaps when your team is in flux.

Want additional information on this topic? Be sure to check out this earlier episode from Season One!

When it comes to accommodation requests, some people are willing to argue until you're both blue in the face. This is especially true when transportation is involved. In this episode, Erin and Jeremy explore a Connecticut case where a parent challenged the removal of specialized transportation from their child’s IEP. They break down the legal standards under IDEA and offer practical guidance for educators navigating tricky requests, hopefully helping you breathe a little easier.

For more on transportation, be sure to check out our earlier episode: Transportation and Discipline

#1. The student is gifted and talented. #2. The student has a disability. Often viewed as opposite ends of the spectrum, the two designations can often be two sides of the same coin. “Twice exceptional” students, those who are both capable of high academic achievement and have a disability qualifying them for special education, can present unique challenges for educators. In this episode, Erin and Jeremy examine a Pennsylvania case holding that a district did not violate the IDEA by developing an IEP that anticipated a twice exceptional student would perform slightly below grade level. Join them as they discuss what level of educational benefit IEPs should provide, as well as other practical tips for identifying and supporting twice exceptional students in your district.

Want more on child find as it applies to students who are generally meeting expectations? Check out Episode 14 of Season 3 here.

Here is a link to the poem Jeremy and Erin reference: We Wear the Mask | The Poetry Foundation

As requests pile up, school staff can feel overwhelmed when conducting functional behavioral assessments. Are all of these requests necessary? In this episode, Erin and Jeremy discuss a case out of Pennsylvania where a district court argued that the fact that additional counseling or an FBA might have helped the student was insufficient to amount to a denial of FAPE. Tune in as they provide alternatives for districts to consider before conducting an FBA, and the importance of staying proactive when addressing behavior issues with students.