The ESY Myth That Stops Services: Why “Regression Only” Is Wrong

Welcome back to The Epic IEP™, where we share real stories from the IEP table — the fantastic, the frustrating, and the downright funny.In today's episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, Special Education Boss®, walks you through a 6:20 AM Zoom meeting that was supposed to be “quick and easy”… until it wasn’t.A visually impaired and orthopedically impaired student needed ESY. The team said no. Why? Because they believed the #1 myth in special education — that ESY requires documented regression only.But IDEA has two prongs, and only one of them deals with regression.Karen breaks down what really happened in that meeting ...In this episode:The two legal prongs of ESY — and why districts miss the second oneWhy ESY is for maintenance, not gainsHow to pause a meeting, regroup, and get accurate informationWhat to say when they “can’t find your name” on the signature page (“try under swimwear model”)How clarity, humor, and the law keep teams anchored in what’s best for the childIt’s a reminder that even early-morning meetings can change a child’s access and opportunities — when decisions are made based on facts, not feelings.📘 Get Karen's new book — The Epic IEPYour roadmap for writing, understanding, and implementing IEPs that actually work — complete with QR codes for templates, tools, and real advocacy resources.Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscomUpload your receipt for book bonuses: TheEpicIEP.com📚 Train with KarenJoin The Academy — 250+ hours of training + weekly Q&A sessions:https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about 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...