Demystifying Prior Written Notice (PWN) in Special Education: What Parents Must Know

In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham unpacks one of the most overlooked yet powerful safeguards in special education: Prior Written Notice (PWN).

Most parents don’t realize that a PWN is not optional—it’s federally required. And it’s the school’s responsibility to complete it whenever they propose or refuse changes to your child’s identification, evaluation, placement, or services.

Here’s what Karen covers in this training:

✅ The eight required components every PWN must include
✅ Why deliberations and signatures do not substitute for a proper PWN
✅ What to do if a PWN contains inaccurate testing procedures
✅ The timeline for receiving a PWN after an IEP meeting (and how to respond if delayed)
✅ Why legal documents should never be sent home in a child’s backpack
✅ How PWNs connect to procedural safeguards, state complaints, and appeals

Karen shares advocacy strategies, real-life examples, and the straight talk you need to hold schools accountable and walk into meetings prepared.

📌 Next Steps & Resources

• Join The Academy
  for 250+ hours of advocacy training and community support
• Explore more trainings on evaluations, complaints, and procedural safeguards
• Watch and subscribe on YouTube
  for weekly episodes and resources

💡 Remember: A Prior Written Notice is one of your strongest advocacy tools. Don’t overlook it.

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ 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
🔗 Learn more at The Academy

📬 Have a question? Email us at [email protected]

📱 Follow Karen on:

• TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
• YouTube: Special Education Academy

🧠 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.)

...