Ask the Advocate: School Shenanigans, Paraprofessionals, and IEP Questions Answered

It’s a Marvelous, Amazing Monday with Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, back with another Ask the Advocate episode!

This week’s Q&A is packed with real parent and teacher questions covering IEP services, paraprofessionals, afterschool programs, behavioral supports, and yes—school shenanigans.

Here’s what Karen answers:

✅ What evaluations parents can request when schools say “everything is fine”
✅ Do paraprofessionals need to be in the classroom at all times?
✅ Can schools place a student with an IEP in virtual-only after a fight?
✅ Can schools send a child home for half days instead of providing support?
✅ Do 504 accommodations carry into college?
✅ What to do if your child is head banging (and why FBAs matter)
✅ Amending IEPs without a meeting — what’s allowed and what’s not
✅ How to find and become an advocate (and why the 2-Day Intensive is the best first step)
✅ Teacher questions: missing IEPs, unsafe caseloads, co-teach concerns, and more

Karen shares advocacy strategies, humor, and the straight talk you need to sit at the IEP/504 table prepared.

📌 Next Steps & Resources

• Join The Academy for live weekly coaching + 250+ hours of training
• Explore our trainings on evaluations, complaints, and procedural safeguards
• Download the Special Education Academy App to learn on the go

Advocacy takeaway: If it doesn’t make sense, there’s a reason it doesn’t make sense. Sit at the table prepared.

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham