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Public Education Unfiltered

Public Education Unfiltered

By: Brian J. Stephens
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By Educators. For Educators.

Public education is facing new challenges, and it’s time for real talk.

Public Education Unfiltered, hosted by public education expert Brian J. Stephens, goes beyond the headlines to tackle the biggest challenges facing public school districts— without the sugar coating.

Through raw, unfiltered conversations with superintendents, policymakers, and education reform leaders, this podcast breaks down the real issues affecting schools today, from chronic absenteeism and student recruitment to funding struggles and policy shifts. But this isn’t just talk— it’s about real-world solutions that help educators, administrators, and decision-makers take action.

If you care about the future of public education, this is the podcast you need to hear.

Have a topic you want to hear about next? Email caroline@caissaps.com to share your thoughts.

© 2026 Public Education Unfiltered
Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • School Choice or School Coercion?
    Jan 28 2026

    This episode explores how the dominant framework of school choice can reward advantage instead of fulfilling the public promise to educate every child. We examine the long-term effects of inequitable systems, the risks of short-term thinking, and the consequences for millions of children.

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    16 mins
  • When Lawyers Get Paid and Classrooms Don’t
    Jan 21 2026

    What if part of your child’s school budget never made it to the classroom?

    A single lawsuit over a student’s IEP shines a light on a problem most families never hear about. Across the country, school leaders are spending more time in courtrooms than classrooms, navigating legal battles just to keep schools running.

    In one jaw-dropping case, a federal judge ordered an Illinois school district to pay $248,000 in legal fees, the equivalent of funding 17.5 students for an entire year. That is money that could have gone to teachers, services, or student support. Instead, it went straight to attorneys.

    Meanwhile, districts like Shelby County, Tennessee are facing legal pressure so intense it is pulling leadership away from kids and toward survival mode.

    This episode breaks down the vicious cycle where lawsuits quietly drain school resources, why it keeps happening, and what communities can do to stand behind the educators caught in the middle.

    If you care about what happens to education dollars after they leave the classroom, this is a conversation you will not want to miss.



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    29 mins
  • The Homogeneity Trap: Why One Bad School Story Makes Us Judge Them All
    Jan 14 2026

    Brian breaks down the “homogeneity effect”, our brain’s tendency to lump everyone in a group together. One teacher messes up, one school fails, and suddenly people think all public schools are bad. He explains why this mental shortcut is misleading, how local challenges shape school outcomes, and why public schools are far more diverse and resilient than headlines suggest.

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    43 mins
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