Get the professional support, tools, and step-by-step guidance you need to use the IEP process strategically — and start seeing real progress.
Tired of hearing... "His grades are fine."
"Let's just try this for now...."
"He's making progress."
... when you know they're not?
Tired of getting the runaround when it comes to your child’s IEP?
What if you understood how decisions are actually made — and prepared accordingly?
And avoid costly, progress-delaying advocacy mistakes.
DOES THIS SOUND FAMILIAR?
You’re speaking up at IEP meetings, but nothing changes. Your child isn’t making progress, and you can’t figure out why the school doesn’t see what feels so obvious to you..... and another semester slips by.
There’s nothing more frustrating than walking into an IEP meeting hopeful that this time something will change — only to leave with the same plan and the same concerns.
You prepare. You ask thoughtful questions. You follow up.
And somehow… the outcome barely moves.
Meanwhile, your child is still behind. In reading. In social skills. In behavior. Maybe even starting to refuse school.
Progress reports come home, but they don’t answer the only question that really matters: Is this actually working?
Assessments are discussed, but the decisions feel vague. Services feel appropriate when being discussed, but don’t translate into meaningful progress.
Time keeps passing. Another report card and progress monitoring report. Another year where you’re hoping this is the plan that finally works.
Most parents aren’t missing effort. They’re missing a clear way to look at what’s actually happening. no one has shown you how to connect the data, the goals, and the services in a way that changes outcomes.
And without that, the plan rarely changes either. Without that, meetings repeat themselves.
Same conversations, same goals, same slow progress.
HELLO, I'M LISA!
And I want to help you solve the endless IEP battles once and for all.
Since 2010, I’ve sat at hundreds of IEP tables — IEP meetings, eligibility meetings, manifestation hearings — with all kinds of students and school teams.
The kids are different. The districts are different. But the process is the same.
IDEA doesn’t change. The structure of the IEP process is consistent. When you understand how that structure works--and how to effectively use your parental rights within the structure, everything changes.
I learned that during my son’s kindergarten transition. He was aging out of preschool, and I didn’t have unlimited time to figure it out. I knew what I wanted for him, but what mattered was what I could clearly support on paper within the IEP process. Once the documentation aligned with the request, the decision changed.
His outcome changed when my strategy changed. That’s the entire premise of what I teach now. When you know how to align your requests within the process, the entire IEP shifts.
Inside the Academy, I show you the same structured approach I use with paying clients. It’s a clear process you can follow in any IEP situation so you know what step you’re on and what to do next.
When schools are stretched thin and supports are harder to secure, preparation matters. You don’t get years back. Having a plan changes how those years unfold.
And that’s the goal — changing your child’s IEP and outcomes while there is still time to do it.
What Changes When You Know What to Look For
Picture your child making real progress because the supports were adjusted at the right time, not a year later, not after momentum was lost, and your child's confidence had faded.
With this training, you can completely change the IEP dynamics for your child.
- No More "I don't know what to ask for."
- You understand whether the evaluation covers the right areas and all of your child's needs.
- You can tell if the goals are meaningful and challenging.
- You recognize when data is missing or unclear.
- And you know how to respond without scrambling.
- You’re not trying to think of something to say on the spot. You’re prepared.
- You know if your child is making progress or not, and how to make it happen.
"The phone calls have stopped! I can't thank you enough for this. My son had a behavior plan, they kept adding to it, changing it, but still calling me all the time to come get him. Once the suspensions started, I knew that I had to fix this. My son had a BIP for two years and the behaviors just increased. After going through the Academy, I realized the FBA data didn’t actually support the interventions, or him, really. I got him a new FBA, we rewrote the plan, and the phone calls and suspensions stopped, finally. And, he's happier.”
— Jennie B.
Why Most IEP Training Doesn't Change Outcomes
Because understanding the law isn’t the same as changing the plan.
Explaining IDEA is easy. Changing what happens at your child’s meeting is harder.
There are plenty of IEP trainings out there. But information alone doesn’t shift IEP decisions.
Many are created by knowledgeable professionals. Many explain the laws well.
But most are built from one perspective-- either school staff, lawyers or clinicians.
This Academy was built from the parent side of the table.
I’ve been the parent fighting for the right placement for my own child. I’ve been the teacher in meetings. And for more than 16 years, I’ve been the advocate called in when progress stalled and no one could quite explain why.
I've seen how decisions get made, and helped changed the outcome of meetings.
I understand not just how decisions are made, but how it feels when those decisions aren’t going your child’s way.
This isn’t abstract information about IDEA and Supreme Court cases. It’s how to look at an evaluation report and know whether it's enough to create meaningful goals.
How to tell if progress monitoring is meaningful, or just paperwork.
How to walk into a meeting knowing what to ask before someone says, “Let’s give it more time.”
You’re not memorizing laws, rights and court cases.
You’re learning how to change the trajectory of an IEP. It’s not about knowing more. It’s about knowing what actually moves the team.
And you’re not doing it alone. Parents inside the Academy are asking real questions and sharing what’s actually working in their districts right now.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: In 16 years as a professional advocate, I have never seen an IEP improve in a meaningful way simply because time passed. If nothing formally changes, the default is to continue the plan.
That’s how the system is designed. Waiting rarely produces different results.
Knowing what to change does.
“My daughter was three years behind in reading and her IEP just said ‘make progress in decoding.’ The Academy helped me understand what evidence-based reading instruction actually means and how to get it. I pushed for structured literacy and dedicated remediation time, using information already in her IEP that was being ignored (and I didn't understand). This is the first year her scores have steadily moved up since kindergarten.”
— Lila S.
- STEP 1 -
Lay Your Foundation
Know What Your IEP Is Really Based On
Effective advocacy starts with knowing what’s actually documented.
Inside the Academy, you’ll learn what to keep, what matters, and how to spot gaps that are quietly holding your child back.
No more wondering if you’re missing something important.
- STEP 2 -
How to Ask Effectively
Know What to Ask For (And How!)
Once you understand the data, you’ll know what’s appropriate to request.
No more second-guessing. No more “What should I ask for?” You’ll understand what fits your child’s needs before the meeting even starts.
- STEP 3-
Stay on Track, Easily
A Sustainable, Streamlined Process
You’ll learn how to communicate and follow up in a way that keeps the process moving.
No scrambling. No reactive emails. Just a clear plan for what to say and what to do next.
If Nothing Changes, Next Year's IEP Will Look the Same
If your IEP isn't working, it won't fix itself.
If your child isn’t making meaningful progress, you don’t need more hope. You need a clear way to evaluate what’s happening and adjust it before another semester passes.
If the current plan hasn’t produced meaningful progress, the default is to continue it. Most IEPs don’t change dramatically from one year to the next unless someone brings a clear reason to do so.
HERE'S WHAT'S INCLUDED...
SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCACY TRAINING
Inside the Academy, I walk you through the same 4-step framework I use in real IEP cases — the structure behind how to evaluate what’s in place, identify what’s missing, and determine what needs to change.
You won’t just learn what IDEA says. You’ll learn how to apply it to your child’s specific situation — how to review evaluations, assess whether goals are appropriate, and determine whether the services offered actually meet the documented needs.
ON DEMAND ACCESS TO FIT YOUR SCHEDULE
Each training is focused and practical. You can move step-by-step, applying what you learn directly to your child’s IEP as you go. By the end, you won’t just “know more.” You’ll have worked through your own plan with a clear understanding of what to adjust and why.
On demand access means you can go through the course on your own schedule—no pressure, no deadlines. And whenever new IEP concerns pop up, you’re welcome to jump back into future live trainings or revisit the lessons as often as you need.
TOOLS FOR YOUR IEP TOOLKIT
Beyond the training, you’ll have access to the full library of tools I use with advocacy clients — templates, checklists, documentation guides, and structured prompts that help you prepare before a meeting and follow up afterward.
You’re not starting from scratch each time. You’re working from a structured system designed to support your requests and protect your documentation.
LIVE AND RECORDED DEEP DIVE SESSIONS-LIFETIME ACCESS
IEPs don’t stay static. New concerns come up. Your child’s needs shift. Policies change.
As an Academy member, you’ll have access to live and recorded deep-dive sessions on topics like Assistive Technology, FBAs, discipline, progress monitoring, and more — often led by attorneys and specialists who work in these areas every day.
This isn’t a one-time set of videos. It’s an evolving library that grows over time, and you keep access to it.
48 HOUR REVIEW WINDOW
You have 48 hours to explore the Academy and decide if it’s right for you. If it’s not what you expected, just email us and we’ll refund you.
You’re not just getting a course. You’re gaining long-term support inside a system that was built for this process.
Real Parents. Real IEP Wins.
What Changed for These Families
These are everyday parents who learned how to approach the IEP process differently. When they walked into meetings with a clear plan and documentation to support it, decisions shifted.
If they were able to change the direction of their child’s IEP, you can too.
"I purchased your program and after the first few lessons I had a game plan to approach the school. The way you explain the lessons are very understandable. Prior I had no experience with IEPs or 504 plans so it was a foreign language to me. Within 3 weeks I was able to draft up my parent concerns and for the first time the school took me seriously."
Tracey Brinkley
"The Don't IEP Alone Academy was honestly more than I expected. As a certified special education teacher that saw my students being pushed through the system and now having two of my own children being pushed aside, I was disgusted, disheartened, and simply burnt out from fighting.
I have always said "you get what you pay for," but you will get more than what your pay for with Don't IEP Alone Academy."
Kimberly Eallonardo
"The Academy has taught me the questions to ask parents about their child, their present levels, and their needs as well as what additional questions to ask to help gather the information I need to help. I am also advising parents on any assessments they may need and the ways parents should communicate with the schools.
Thanks to the Academy I have been able to help parents and I look forward to continue learning and helping parents advocate for their children."
Patty Epler (teacher)
"When Lisa offered the IEP Academy package, I decided to invest and purchase the package. Things may be going ok now but I want to educate myself for all the future IEP steps and huddles my daughter will go through. It is a great deal because I know as things come up I will have access to all the library of materials Lisa has to offer. "
Rachel Villa
“My son (ADHDer) had all these accommodations like extended time and preferential seating, but he was still drowning. He was starting to fail classes, didn't want to go to school and sports and clubs were taken away (grades). Inside the Academy, I learned how to push for teaching skills, not just accommodating. We added goals for planning and organization. He’s finally learning skills instead of just getting more time, and his grades are improving.”
— Kaitlin D.
Training Options to Support Different IEP Situations
Choose the level of support that fits your needs.
Don’t IEP Alone Academy Lifetime Access
Best for: Parents who want steady support they can return to whenever an IEP question or issue comes up--with a one-time payment.
What’s included:
- Full lifetime access to Don’t IEP Alone Academy training + parent open office hours with Lisa
- Clear guidance for evaluations, annual meetings, and IEP changes
- Topic-specific training addressing common IEP challenges
- Practical tools to support preparation, follow-up, and decision-making
$397 (payment plans available at checkout)
Academy + Pro Advocate Lifetime Access
Best for: Parents navigating more complex IEP situations and current or aspiring advocates who want insight into how experienced professionals approach cases.
What’s included:
- Everything in Don’t IEP Alone Academy
- Access to the Pro Advocate section of the platform + live advocate roundtable discussions
- Expanded training on higher-stakes and multi-layered IEP situations.
- In-depth conversations about documentation, strategy, and how decisions unfold across different districts and cases.
$597 (payment plans available at checkout)
New for March 2026-
Sunday Evening IEP Strategy Sessions--Included when you enroll. Each Sunday, we’ll focus on one area parents consistently say makes meetings harder than they should be. Consider how much you can shift before your next IEP meeting even begins. Bring your questions and scenarios, leave with a plan.
March 1
6:00 PM Eastern
From Power Struggle to Problem-Solving: How to Make IEP Meetings Feel Like a Team
We’ll break down the “us vs. them” dynamic and how to reset the tone before it spirals. You’ll leave with language you can use immediately.
March 8
6:00 PM Eastern
No More Guessing: How to Get Drafts, Reports, and Data Before the IEP Meeting
If you’re tired of being blindsided or begging for information, this is where we fix that. We’ll build your pre-meeting system.
March 15
6:00 PM Eastern
IEP Language Translator: How to Say What You Mean, and Get the Team to Hear It
Accommodations. Modifications. Services. “We don’t see that here.” We’ll translate what schools say and help you respond clearly and confidently.
March 22
6:00 PM Eastern
When You Don’t Trust What’s Being Said: Documentation, Follow-Up, and Accountability Moves
If you’ve ever left a meeting thinking, “That’s not what they just said,” this session is your protection plan.
March 29
6:00 PM Eastern
From IEP Paper to IEP Practice: Making Supports Real, and Making Them Happen
An IEP is only as good as its implementation. We’ll cover how to monitor, follow up, and ensure supports actually reduce your child’s load..
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is Don't IEP Alone Right For Me?
WHAT'S INCLUDED WITH DON'T IEP ALONE ACADEMY?
You’ll get step-by-step access to my 4-step advocacy framework — the same structured process I use to evaluate IEPs, identify gaps, and determine what needs to change.
You’ll also receive the accompanying templates, guides, and printable materials so you can apply what you learn directly to your child’s IEP.
In addition, members get access to ongoing live and recorded deep-dive sessions on topics like Assistive Technology, FBAs, discipline, and progress monitoring — so your knowledge grows as your child’s needs evolve.
You keep lifetime access to everything.
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
In Don't IEP Alone Academy, you'll learn how to:
- Make sense of your child's IEP and evaluations
- Tell whether goals and services are appropriate
- How to use data effectively to support your concerns
- Prepare for IEP meetings without scrambling
- Follow a clear process for any IEP situation
CAN I GET A PHYSICAL COPY?
All materials are provided digitally. Many parents choose to print the worksheets for their own use, but the Academy itself is an online training and support system, not a physical book.
HOW SOON AFTER PURCHASING WILL I RECEIVE MY PRODUCT?
You’ll receive immediate access to the training upon enrollment.
Recorded sessions are available on demand. Live session replays are uploaded shortly after each event.
WHAT IF IT'S NOT A GOOD FIT?
You have 48 hours from enrollment to explore the Academy. If it’s not what you expected, email us within that window and we’ll issue a refund. No complicated process.
HOW DO I KNOW WHETHER DON'T IEP ALONE IS RIGHT FOR ME?
If you are parenting a child with an IEP and want to better understand how decisions are made — and how to influence them appropriately — this is for you.
If you often leave meetings feeling unsure whether you asked the right questions or reviewed the right information, this will help.
If you want to approach your child’s IEP with more structure and less guesswork, this is designed for that.
CAN I BECOME A WORKING ADVOCATE WITH THIS TRAINING?
There is no nationally required certification to work as an IEP Advocate. Many advocates build their practice through experience, training, and mentorship.
The process taught inside the Academy is the same structured approach I use with paying clients. If your goal is to support other families, this training gives you the framework to do so responsibly and effectively.
CEC hours will be available soon.
WHAT IF THE IEP TEAM STILL SAYS NO ?
IEP decisions are made within a structured process. Teams are required to consider data, evaluations, and documented need. However, that doesn’t mean every request is automatically approved. I cannot guarantee how a specific team will respond.
What I can tell you is this: when your requests are clearly tied to documented data and the IEP process outlined in IDEA, the conversation changes. You’ll understand what you can support, what you cannot, and what your next steps are if disagreement remains.
The Academy equips you to advocate strategically and persistently within the process, and make it difficult for IEP teams to say no to what is documented.
HOW DOES THIS WORK WITH THE LAWS?
The Academy works within the framework of IDEA and the IEP process. You’ll learn how to apply the law appropriately to real situations — not just quote it.
Understanding how to align your requests with documented need and procedural requirements is what makes advocacy effective.
WHAT'S THE INVESTMENT?
Working one-on-one with a private advocate can cost hundreds of dollars per hour. The Academy is designed to give you the structure and tools to advocate independently over time.
There are multiple enrollment options available starting at $149, including payment plans. You can choose the level of access that fits your goals and your budget.
"I re-watched so many of your lectures and I had all my data and I was just so prepared. We got everything we wanted, and what my son was entitled to, and didn’t ruffle any feathers of the IEP team while doing it. I have a whole life of advocating for my son ahead of me and I know how important this is. "
–Kaleigh Bradley, Tennessee
"With Level II Autism, my son struggled to get to school. Those days were tough. I could not force him to go to school and yelling didn't work. I felt helpless and didn't know what to do.
All of your things have made a huge difference. Now he rides the bus and goes to school, eleven days in a row and counting! This was a big change from the beginning of the year, where he missed so much school, and I felt a failure as a mom, because I didn't know how to help him. Now, I feel more confident that he will be able to live on his own some day. Thank you for giving me that peace of mind."
–Michelle Copper
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