Sharon P. Robinson Op-Ed: Education Master’s Programs, Add Value or Shut Down

From EducationWeek
By Sharon P. Robinson
Published Online: February 16, 2011

It’s true – some education master’s programs do not add value to teaching quality or student learning. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Bill Gates were right in their recent suggestions that school systems rethink the current practice of granting pay raises automatically to teachers who earn master’s degrees. This statement may be surprising coming from an association of education schools but, in fact, it is well known that some programs are essentially a drive-by freeway en route to a higher rung on the pay scale. I believe firmly that such programs should cease to exist.