Listen to the PodcastExecutive produced by news icon Dan Rather, FAIL STATE examines the rise of for-profit colleges in America and how politicians and shady businessmen tarnished our higher education system. It also looks at the mountain of student debt that makes it hard for graduates to succeed in their post-college lives. Interviews with former students from predatory institutions such as DeVry, Westwood College, Kaplan, and the now-defunct ITT discuss their far from stellar experiences. It’s truly heartbreaking to hear how their lives were negatively affected by these college scams. The documentary provides a timeline of government involvement in higher education, dating back to the 1970s. A series of misguided – or more appropriately, unscrupulous – regulations and legislation play a huge role in where we’ve ended up. Looking towards the future, director Alex Shebanow spotlights innovative solutions, such as Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam’s proposal to make community colleges free for everyone. If we want to secure a future for the next generation, we must change the way our colleges are run. This realization is at the forefront of FAIL STATE. Consider it your crash course on the college-cost calamity.
Who should profit from a college education?
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