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Deep Dive: Fail State (2018)

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Fail State
Fail State is a 2017 documentary that examines the rise of for-profit colleges in the 2000s, focusing on the public policy decisions and marketing strategies that enabled their growth. Directed by Alexander Shebanow, the film features interviews with experts, students, and government officials, including F. King Alexander and Suzanne Mettler. It traces the origins of the issue back to a 1970s Congressional decision to allocate federal aid directly to students instead of colleges, which led to a market-driven system that often exploited vulnerable populations. The documentary reveals that for-profit institutions targeted individuals with low self-esteem and sought to recruit isolated individuals. It includes perspectives from both liberal lawmakers, such as Rep. Maxine Waters and Senator Tom Harkin, and acknowledges earlier warnings from conservative figures in the Reagan administration about the potential abuses by these schools. The film serves as a critical examination of how federal policies and institutional practices have contributed to the mistreatment of low-income and minority students in higher education.

Why Watch

  • •See how federal aid fueled predatory college growth.
  • •Meet students affected by for-profit college scams.
  • •Find out about the 1970s policy shift impacting education.

Did You Know

•The film premiered at the Austin Film Festival on October 28, 2017.
•Fail State was directed by Alexander Shebanow, marking his directorial debut.
•For-profit colleges specifically targeted 'isolated' individuals with 'low self-esteem'.
•The documentary features interviews with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers.

Perfect For

Higher education policyFor-profit college issuesStudent loan debt