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 moreKaren shares advocacy strategies, humor, and the straight talk you need to sit at the IEP/504 table prepared.📌 Next Steps & ResourcesJoin The Academy for live weekly coaching + 250+ hours of trainingExplore our trainings on evaluations, complaints, and procedural safeguardsDownload the Special Education Academy App to learn on the goAdvocacy 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 Support the show✨ 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 Epic IEP™ Academy  First month free, after that, cancel anytime. 📱 Follow Karen on:TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationbossYouTube: 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.)Because when...