FAPE for All: Real Talk on IEPs, Comp Ed, and What’s Actually Right

What’s right, what’s wrong, and what you absolutely need to know about your rights in special education. In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham is back—answering live questions about IEPs, 504s, placement, compensatory services, and so much more. If you’ve ever been told: • “We don’t offer that here…” • “We’re removing resource classes…” • “Your child doesn’t qualify…” • “We’re amending without a meeting…” …it’s time to sit all the way down and tune in. Karen unpacks: • Resource vs. inclusion vs. life skills • When to file a state complaint • Why MTSS/RTI cannot delay an evaluation • Compensatory time: how much is due and when to push back • The TRUTH about asynchronous and hybrid service models • What parents can do when the school “doesn’t have” something federally required • The reality of charter schools and IEP implementation • How to advocate when no one else will—and why sometimes you need to be the big mouth in your district 💡 Plus: Karen shares summer training updates you don’t want to miss. 🗓 Upcoming Trainings Mentioned: ✅ Virtual 2-Day Intensive: (https://academy.specialeducationacade...) June 21–22, 2025 ✅ In-Person 2-Day Intensive (https://advocate.specialeducationacad...) (Florida): Mid-July ✅ Mastermind Launch (https://advocate.specialeducationacad...) : July 22, 2025 🎯 Ready to get trained to advocate with confidence and clarity? Join The Academy  (https://www.skool.com/special-educati...) Listen to more episodes on Buzzsprout, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app. Follow, like, share, and subscribe—it helps us reach more families who need this info. Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/2464872/su...) ✨ 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 (https://academy.specialeducationacade...) First month free, after that, cancel anytime.  📱 Follow Karen on: • TikTok (  / specialeducationboss  ) & Instagram: @specialeducationboss • YouTube: Special Education Academy (   / specialeducationacademy  ) 🧠 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...