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
When “She’s Doing Fantastic” Isn’t True: The Resource Room Fight Every Parent Faces
Welcome back to The Epic IEP™, where we share stories that are funny, frustrating, and absolutely fantastic—because they really happen at the IEP table.
In today’s episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, Special Education Boss®, breaks down one of the most common battles in special education: getting a student the actual services they need.
This fourth grader was reading 13 words correct per minute (average is 120), had failed district and state assessments, and still the team insisted she was “doing fantastic.” After four meetings, the district finally agreed she needed resource—and five years later, she now reads 60 WCPM and is on track for high school.
In this episode:
- Why “she’s doing great” isn’t data
- Why quiet students often fly under the radar
- Why resource is resisted—and why it matters
- How to keep meetings focused on facts, not feelings
- The power of asking: “Can you email me the code for that by close of business tomorrow?”
Remember: don’t get stuck on why a team is resisting services. Focus on what’s next.
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✨ 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.
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🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game?
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