Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham
The Special Education Boss® Podcast is where advocacy meets action. Join Karen Mayer Cunningham each week as she empowers parents and professionals to understand their rights, navigate the system, and show up strong at the IEP table.
Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham
How to Write Compliant IEP Goals That Actually Help Kids Thrive
Do you know what really makes an IEP goal compliant, effective, and life-changing for students?
In this training-style episode, Karen breaks down:
- The 6 types of IEP goals (spoiler: academics are just ONE type)
- Why present levels matter more than you think
- The truth about SMART goals (and what most teams are getting wrong)
- What to say when someone tells you a student “doesn’t qualify because they’re getting A’s and B’s”
- How to base goals on expectation and rate of progress—not generic standards
This episode is a must-listen for any parent, teacher, or advocate who wants to ensure students get the supports and services they deserve.
📚 Get our SMART Goals Template and Reading Conversion Chart:
https://specialeducationacademy.com
📥 Advocate with us or ask questions:
advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/special-education-boss-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/id1805933912
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/03I43tikXlYvR6xIe3F24w
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLI3YgeQrpe51K4Ia4GWqS3fTnGj_DGLan
🛒 Shop Karen’s Advocate Bookshelf (Amazon):
https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl
We may earn a small commission from purchases. Thank you for your 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
📬 Have a question? Email us at advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
📱 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.)
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