Ask the Advocate: Compensatory Services, Eligibility Traps, IEP Teams & School Pushback

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 [email protected] 📱 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.) ...