f you’ve ever said, “I’ll sue the school district,” you may be thinking about a due process hearing—but do you actually know what that means?
In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham breaks down the fourth and most formal dispute resolution option under IDEA: the Special Education Due Process Hearing.
Whether you’re a parent, advocate, or educator, you’ll walk away with a deep understanding of:
- What a due process hearing really is (and isn’t)
- What IDEA says about who can file and how to do it
- What must be included in a complaint to even be heard
- Timelines that could make or break your case
- Whether you need a lawyer—or if you can self-represent
- What happens after you file (hint: it’s not instant!)
- Karen’s personal insight from 11+ years of hearings
This isn’t about suing—it’s about knowing your rights, protecting your child, and walking into that room prepared.
Need help or want a free resource?
Just fill out the orange contact form on our site or email: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
We’ll send you a FREE copy of the Texas Special Education Dispute Resolution Handbook.
Want your copy of the federal IDEA law book (IDEA 2004)? Get it HERE
✨ 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!
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🔗 Learn more at The Academy
📬 Have a question? Email us at advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
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🧠 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.)
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