Training Programs & On-Demand Courses

Every page of the IEP, from present levels to goals, services, accommodations, placement, and transition. How to read it, understand it, and make sure it serves the student.

Understanding Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, how 504 Plans differ from IEPs, and when a 504 Plan is the right fit for the student.

Understanding the federal law that governs special education services, your rights under it, and how it applies to your child's education.

The rights and protections built into special education law that every parent and advocate needs to understand before sitting at the table.

What FAPE means under IDEA, how to determine whether a child is receiving it, and what to do when they are not.

How children qualify for special education under categories like OHI, Autism, SLD, Emotional Disturbance, and more. How to request evaluations, understand the process, and ensure appropriate assessment.

How to prepare before, during, and after IEP meetings. What to bring, what to ask, how to document, and how to follow up effectively.

When a child has been denied FAPE, understanding compensatory education, how to request it, and how to navigate the state complaint process.

What districts are required to provide in writing, how to build a paper trail, communicate effectively with schools, and protect your child's educational record.

Special Education Academy is an online education and training platform founded by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Special Education Boss®. It provides over 300 hours of on-demand training, weekly live coaching calls, and structured programs for parents, educators, advocates, and professionals involved in the IEP and 504 process.

Karen Mayer Cunningham is the founder of Special Education Academy™, the creator of The Epic IEP™ educational framework, the host of the Special Education Boss® podcast, and the author of The Epic IEP™, The Epic IEP™: PARA, and The Epic IEP™ Guide to Federal and State Law for Special Education. She has over 25 years of experience in special education advocacy and training.

A foundational training that teaches the full IEP process from start to finish. Covers IDEA, procedural safeguards, IEP development, 504 Plans, eligibility, FAPE, advocacy strategy, and meeting preparation. Available live in-person (Houston, TX), live virtual (Zoom), and on-demand (recorded). This training is the prerequisite for the Professional Advocacy Mastermind.

The Epic IEP™ Academy is a monthly membership with 300+ hours of on-demand training, weekly live training and Q&A sessions with Karen, and a community for continued learning. Your first month is free.* After that, it continues as a monthly subscription. You can cancel anytime. Due to the digital nature of our products, all sales are final — no refunds or credits are issued.

No. Special Education Academy provides education and training, not legal advice or legal representation. Our trainings educate participants about rights, procedures, and processes so they can show up informed and prepared. For legal advice, consult a special education attorney.

Yes. Karen offers 60-minute 1:1 Private Coaching sessions for advocates, educators, and parents. Schedule your session here.

Due to the digital nature of our products, all sales are final. No refunds or credits are issued for any Special Education Academy™ products or memberships. The Epic IEP™ Academy can be cancelled anytime but no partial-month refunds are provided. 2-Day Intensive registration is non-refundable but transferable to another date. Transfer requests: admin@specialeducationacademy.com.

Yes. The 2-Day Intensive is available as a 12-hour recorded on-demand training. The Epic IEP™ Academy includes 300+ hours of on-demand training plus weekly live sessions. A Spanish-language version of the on-demand 2-Day Intensive is also available.