Can a paraprofessional deliver specially designed instruction? What are the paraprofessional laws in your state? And what happens when a school district admits — in writing — that no certified special educator has been in the classroom all year?

In this episode of the Special Education Boss® podcast, Karen Mayer Cunningham breaks down a real IEP meeting in Texas where the district's own deliberations confirmed that a general education teacher delivered the specially designed instruction and a paraprofessional collected IEP goal data — with no special educator involved. All year. In Houston. On the record.

Karen walks through what federal law actually requires, what your state statute says, and why "district guidance" that contradicts IDEA is not guidance — it's a violation.

What you'll learn in this episode:

— Can a paraprofessional implement IEP goals? Only under three conditions: direct supervision, close proximity, and frequent contact from a certified special educator.

— What is the continuum of alternative placements? It's federal law under IDEA — not a suggestion your district gets to edit. Resource rooms, special classes, home instruction, and hospital settings are all required options.

— What is Andrew F. v. Douglas County School District? The 2017 Supreme Court decision that unanimously ruled schools must write IEPs that enable students to make progress appropriate in light of their circumstances. Ask your principal when the district-wide training on this case is scheduled.

— What are the seven components of Prior Written Notice? All seven are legally required. N/A is not an option.

— Who can modify assignments in special education? Not a paraprofessional. Not a general education teacher. Only a certified special educator.

— What are paraprofessional requirements under ESSA and No Child Left Behind? The Epic IEP Para book covers every state's statute, federal requirements, and what paraprofessionals legally cannot do.

This episode references special education law and practice in Texas, California, Kentucky, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, and New York.

Karen also announces the brand-new Epic IEP Para book, now available on Amazon, covering federal law, No Child Left Behind, ESSA, and every state's statute on paraprofessional requi

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 Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.

📱 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.)

Because when...

If someone at your school said it was fine without showing you the law - it probably was not fine.

Karen Mayor Cunningham answers your live questions on this Ask the Advocate session of Special Education Boss. She brought the federal statutes, the DSM-5, and zero patience for made-up rules.

In this episode:

- The brand-new Epic IEP Para book: all 50 states, all federal laws from 1965 to 2015, everything you need to know about what paras can and cannot legally do.
- AAC rights: what to do when your child's communication device is removed without your knowledge.
- Autism eligibility: no, a child does not need to flap their hands to qualify. Karen walks through the actual DSM-5 criteria.
- 504 vs. IEP: why accommodations alone may not be enough, and how a 504 can be amended without ever notifying the parent.
- Self-contained classrooms: why Karen believes cameras should be required in every single one.
- Plus: paras left alone with students, one-to-one support, eloping, chronic pain, ADHD and IEP eligibility, modified testing, and more.

Resources:
theepiciep.com/para (NEW Epic IEP Para book)
theepiciep.com (book bundle)
specialeducationacademy.com
advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

Karen Mayor Cunningham is the Special Education Boss - advocate, trainer, and bestselling author of the Epic IEP book series. Her mission: get it right for the child, get it right for everybody.

Subscribe for live Ask the Advocate sessions every Monday at 8 PM inside the Special Education Academy™.

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 Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.

📱 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.)

Because when...

What happens when a student with ADHD and dyslexia doesn’t get boxed in—but instead learns how to push forward anyway?

In this powerful conversation, Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with Sean Foley to talk about what it really looks like to grow up with learning differences—and why success isn’t about labels, it’s about strategy, support, and resilience.

In This Episode:

Sean shares his journey navigating ADHD, dyslexia, and academic challenges—from early testing and accommodations to earning his MBA and building a successful career in sales and leadership.

Together, Karen and Sean break down what worked, what didn’t, and what parents, educators, and advocates need to understand right now.

You’ll Learn:

✨ The difference between accommodations and true support
✨ Why labels like ADHD can help—or hurt—depending on how they’re used
✨ The role of grit, repetition, and confidence in long-term success
✨ Why standardized testing doesn’t define intelligence or potential
✨ How early intervention (and the right mindset) changes everything
✨ The importance of personal development beyond the classroom

Key Takeaway:

Not every child learns the same—and that’s not a weakness. It’s a different pathway that requires awareness, strategy, and support.

Do you know your rights?
You don’t know what you don’t know—but you need to.

Connect with Sean Foley:
Instagram: @seanmfoley_
LinkedIn: Sean Foley (Scottsdale, AZ)

Ready to go deeper?

Join The Epic IEP Academy, attend the 2-day Intensive, train On-Demand, or join us for the Mastermind. We have training for everyone who sits at the table.

Explore more episodes on Buzzsprout and YouTube
Follow, like, share, and subscribe to stay informed and prepared

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 Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.

📱 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.)

Because when...

Most people sitting at an IEP table understand autism, dyslexia, and speech services.

But when a student with a visual impairment enters the conversation, many teams suddenly realize something important…

They don’t actually know how vision services work.

In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with Abel Perez, CEO, from Ready Sight Go, a Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired (CTVI) and Orientation & Mobility Specialist (O&M).

Together, they unpack one of the most misunderstood disability areas in special education, vision impairment.

Abel shares his personal story of growing up with a learning disability, dropping out of high school, and eventually discovering how access, accommodations, and proper support can completely change a student’s future.

This conversation dives deep into:

✨ How visual impairments affect learning and independence
✨ Why accommodations are about access , not advantage
✨ The role of Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs)
✨ What the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) means for blind and visually impaired students
✨ Why behavior issues are often actually access issues

If you sit at an IEP or 504 table, parent, educator, administrator, or advocate, this episode will help you better understand what real access looks like for students with visual impairments.

Connect with Abel, Ready Sight Go, https://readysightgo.com

Want to Learn More About IEP Advocacy?

Join The Epic IEP™ Academy for weekly trainings and step-by-step guidance on navigating special education. https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/theepiciep-courses/the-academy/

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 Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.

📱 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.)

Because when...

Ask the Advocate | Real IEP Questions from Parents and Educators

Parents, teachers, and advocates ask hundreds of questions every week about special education. In this Ask the Advocate episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers real questions submitted during a live TikTok session about IEP meetings, services, evaluations, and advocacy.

Topics include what to do when a student is not receiving services listed in the IEP, how Extended School Year (ESY)eligibility works, when compensatory services may be appropriate, and how parents can advocate effectively when schools are not implementing supports.

Karen also shares practical strategies for asking better questions in IEP meetings, understanding Prior Written Notice (PWN), and navigating conversations with school teams.

Karen Mayer Cunningham, also known as the Special Education Boss®, trains parents, educators, and advocates to understand the special education system and advocate successfully for students with disabilities.

You don’t know what you don’t know—but you need to.

Key Questions Answered in This Episode

• What should parents do if an IEP is not being implemented?
• When does a child qualify for Extended School Year (ESY)?
• Can schools reduce services without data?
• How do you become a special education advocate?
• What role do paraprofessionals play in special education?

• Join The Epic IEP™ Academy
• Attend the 2-Day Special Education Advocacy Intensive
• Get the book The Epic IEP™

We train everyone at the IEP/504 table to navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes.

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 Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.

📱 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.)

...

What really happens when an advocate walks into an IEP meeting?

In this powerful episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with Paige Fitzgerald and Kate Magaldi, former special educators turned full-time advocates and founders of Inclusive Educational Practices.

Together, they pull back the curtain on what happens behind the scenes when an advocate is present at the IEP table—and why outcomes shift when someone trained in special education advocacy enters the room.

They share:

✨ Why schools often react differently when an advocate attends
✨ What teachers are (and aren’t) trained to understand about IDEA
✨ Why parents often know something is wrong—but need help articulating it
✨ The difference between combative advocacy and collaborative leadership
✨ Why relationships—not intimidation—create long-term change

This conversation is honest, practical, and encouraging for:

• Parents navigating difficult IEP meetings
• Educators who want to do special education better
• Anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed at the IEP table

📲 Download the Special Education Academy app
📘 Get your copy of The Epic IEP™

🎓 Join The Academy

Connect with Kate and Paige:

www.iepractices.com

Instagram: IEPractices

TikTok: @advocatekate

TikTok: @advocatepaige

Their Weekly Newsletter

Listen, share, and subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes.

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 Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.

📱 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.)

...

Guess who’s back?

In this Ask the Advocate live session, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers rapid-fire questions from families and educators about:

• IEP implementation failures
• Paraprofessional layoffs and 1:1 support
• Extended School Year (ESY) eligibility
• Compensatory services
• Due process documentation
• Placement vs. eligibility
• Resource classroom requirements
• Endrew F. and the FAPE standard
• Evaluation delays and what to do next

This episode is real talk from someone who has represented families all the way through dispute resolution—and trained thousands to sit at the table prepared.

📚 Resources Mentioned

📘 The Epic IEP™
🎓 Join The Academy

🟢 2-Day Advocacy Intensive (Live Virtual)
March 7–8 | 9 AM–5 PM CST

⚖️ We are not giving legal advice. We are educating you.

Do you know your rights?

You don’t know what you don’t know—but you need 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 Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.

📱 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.)

...

Guess who’s back?

Fresh off the inaugural Epic IEP™ World Book Tour — eight stops in five days, professional developments, book signings, and hundreds of powerful conversations — Karen is back answering your biggest special education questions in real time.

And this one is packed.

From RTI misuse and delayed evaluations…
To schools sending kids home for behavior…
To missing related service minutes…
To paraprofessionals not being allowed to see the IEP (yes, that happened)…

We are breaking it down.

✨ In This Episode, Karen Covers:

• Why RTI, MTSS, and tier systems cannot delay a special education evaluation
• The truth about 504 Plans vs IEPs (and yes… follow the money)
• How to request data (and what federal law says about access)
• Why paraprofessionals must have access to the IEP
• How to respond when a district drags its feet

If you’re feeling defeated, overwhelmed, or talked down to at the table — this episode is your reset.

You don’t know what you don’t know — but you need to.

📚 Get The Epic IEP™ | Available wherever books are sold
If the book has helped you, please leave a review. It helps other families find it.

🎓 Join The Academy (First Month Free)

Over 400+ hours of archived trainings and weekly live coaching:

🎟️ Upcoming Trainings

2-Day LIVE Virtual Intensive: March 7–8
2-Day LIVE In-Person Intensive: May 30–31 | Lexington, Kentucky

Limited seating.

We train everyone at the IEP/504 table to navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes.

When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everyone.
— Karen Mayer Cunningham

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 Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.

📱 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.)

...