Can a parent dismiss a member of the IEP team? What if a related service provider says “nothing’s changing” — do they still have to attend?
In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham explains who must attend every IEP meeting, when you can legally excuse someone, and how to protect your child’s educational rights when team members are missing.
You’ll learn:
- The five federally required IEP team members
- The right (and wrong) way to excuse a provider
- Why “we talked to mom” is not a substitute for attendance
- What happens when data changes and a provider isn’t there
- How to handle team dismissals legally and strategically
Karen also answers live questions about:
• 504 confidentiality
• Bullying and safety
• Accommodations for trauma, ADHD, and PTSD
• Paraprofessionals and missed minutes
• Student teachers and service minutes
• When a teacher violates the IEP
• Placement decisions and LRE
📘 Pre-order The Epic IEP
A powerful playbook for parents, educators, and advocates navigating the special education system.
👉 Order on Amazon
Then visit TheEpicIEP.com
to claim your $500 in bonuses.
🎓 Join The Academy for ongoing training and community:
👉 https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about
✉️ Need help or representation? Email: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham
✨ 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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