The Price of Failure: How school districts pay to avoid state takeovers episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 22, 2026 · 41 MIN

The Price of Failure: How school districts pay to avoid state takeovers

from Y'all-itics · host WFAA

00:00 Y'all-itics at Community Beer Co.  01:52 What Is a Texas “State Takeover”? 03:32 The 5-Year Failing Rule Explained 04:29 Outsourcing Failing Schools to Avoid TEA Control 05:26 $375,000 Per Month Per School 06:24 Who Is Third Future Schools? 07:32 The Mike Miles Connection 08:47 What Changes Inside These Schools? 10:11 Silent Hallways & Strict Discipline Model 11:36 Answer Math to Get Lunch? 13:01 Is This Privatization of Public Schools? 15:17 Where the Money Comes From (SB 1882 Funds) 20:19 Do Test Scores Actually Improve? 21:46 What Happens When the Contract Ends? 36:53 Big Picture: Sustainability, Vouchers & What’s Next 41:18 Closing Thoughts

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Feb 22, 2026

Embed this episode

A WFAA investigation uncovered a little known, but increasingly common attempt for school districts to avoid a state takeover: outsourcing failing campuses to third-party operators. In exchange for millions of dollars, the state gives a district more time, while superintendents and school boards keep their jobs. Could it come for your school? What do we know about the company that has benefitted the most? And why do critics call it privatization by another name? WFAA reporter Cole Sullivan explains it all to the Jasons over a pint at Community Beer in Dallas, and answers whether the program is even working at all. Guest Cole Sullivan, WFAA Reporter

Distinct summary based on available episode metadata or transcript content.

NOW PLAYING

The Price of Failure: How school districts pay to avoid state takeovers

0:00 41:38

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Y'all-itics?

This episode is 41 minutes long.

When was this Y'all-itics episode published?

This episode was published on February 22, 2026.

Can I download this Y'all-itics episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!