Don't IEP Alone Academy
Welcome to Don’t IEP Alone Academy!
You’ve just landed in a space designed to give you knowledge, strategy, confidence, and a real sense of control in the IEP process. If you’ve ever felt like you’re stumbling through a maze of educational terms and laws, battling for services, or simply questioning whether your child’s plan is truly meeting their needs—you’re not alone. And more importantly, you’re in the right place.
This academy is built for parents like you—those navigating the highs and lows of advocating for their children while juggling everything else life throws at them. Here, you’ll find tools, strategies, and support that are straightforward, practical, and grounded in years of advocacy experience.
Whether it’s breaking down data, mastering communication with your IEP team, or learning the steps to create a paper trail that gets results, you’ll have the resources and community you need to feel empowered. Most importantly, we’re here to help you understand what progress really looks like and how to ensure your child’s IEP is followed with fidelity.
Take a breath. You’ve got this. And we’ve got you.
Welcome to the community that gets it.
Lisa Lightner
11 Lessons
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Setting a tone of empowerment, clarity, and community—giving parents the tools and confidence to take that first step and keep going.
1: What Counts as IEP Data—And Why It Matters
Understand What Defines IEP Data and Why It's Important
2: How to Do an IEP Record Review like a Pro
Learn an effective and efficient way to sort and evaluate your IEP files.
3: Defining Your IEP Concerns
What can I ask for? What do I ask for?
4: Parent Concerns Letters that Get Results
Learn how to write an effective parent concerns letter.
5: PWN Prior Written Notice (you really need to know this!)
6: Now what? Planning our Response
Action.
7: Smart IEP Meeting Prep: Using Your Data to Drive the Conversation
You have your data, now what?
8: IEP Progress Monitoring: What It Is and How to Actually Do It
IEP Progress Monitoring: What It Is and How to Actually Do It
9: IEP Dispute Resolution: Understanding Your Options Under Procedural Safeguards
Learn your dispute options.
10: IEP Complaint Options: What to Do When the School Isn’t Following the Plan
IEP Complaint Options (not proc safeguards dispute resolution)