Why Disagreement Isn’t Disrespect: A Real IEP Story

Today’s episode of The Epic IEP™ is a little longer — but you’re going to want to hear this. Karen Mayer Cunningham, The Special Education Boss®, shares a real IEP meeting where everything was “fine”… until the parent disagreed. And that’s when things got interesting.Karen breaks down how a simple request — adding general education as an implementer on two IEP goals — turned into pushback, confusion, and the classic line: “I thought we were collaborating.” She explains why parents are equal stakeholders, why disagreement is normal, and why “collaboration” should never be used as pressure.In this episode, you’ll learn how to:• Understand implementers vs. services• Recognize when teams may be preparing to propose removal from gen ed• Respond when “collaboration” becomes manipulation• Keep the focus on data, not feelings or assumptions• Use IDEA’s framework to ground decisions• Hold firm when the team doesn’t want general ed listedKaren reminds us that the IEP is a document of obligation, not convenience — and that every stakeholder has the gift of persuasion. Use it ethically, use it clearly, and always keep the child’s unique circumstances at the center.📘 Get The Epic IEP on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom👉 Join The Academy (250+ hours of training):https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about“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...