What Goes in an IEP? Present Levels + Questions of the Day

In this powerful episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham breaks down exactly what belongs inside an IEP — and why understanding the present levels of academic achievement and functional performance is critical to getting it right for every child.

Karen walks through the four required components of the IEP under federal law (IDEA §300.324), explaining what each section really means — beyond what the software says — and how parents, educators, and advocates can use this knowledge to drive meaningful outcomes.

You’ll also hear real-life examples from IEP meetings, including how to interpret evaluation results, what percentile rankings actually tell you, and why parents should always have a copy of the IEP draft before a meeting.

Then, stay tuned as Karen answers the Top 10 “Questions of the Day” from parents, teachers, and advocates across the country. 

📘 Featured Resource:
👉 The Epic IEP — A powerful playbook for parents, educators, and advocates navigating the special education process.
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Train with Karen inside Special Education Academy
— 250+ hours of advocacy training, weekly updates, and real-world tools for navigating IEPs and 504s.

🟣 Connect + Learn More

• Website: SpecialEducationAcademy.com
• Email: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
• YouTube: Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham

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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.

👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week!
🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources
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🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game?
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(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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