Education Degrees Come Full Circle

Which education improvement philosophies are taught in colleges of education?  Aspiring teachers are taught to improve teaching by applying educational research findings.  Supposedly, this is better than trial and error, luck and serendipity.  As they earn higher degrees, their understanding comes full circle.

After earning a bachelor’s degree:

Teachers are able to identify education issues and make research-based suggestions for improvement.

After earning a master’s degree:

Teachers are able to identify the most significant issues and make research-based suggestions that may overcome specific barriers.

After earning a doctoral degree:

EdD/PhD graduates are able to identify significant problems, hypothesize about the reasons for them, and know what research has found about them. They also know the following three things about problematic educational situations:

1. There is no sure way to improve them.
2. Some strategies will have more benefit than others. It all depends on the situation.
3. Trial and error, luck and serendipity play major roles in all improvements.

The circle is complete.

Watch closely the next time the Education Research Emperor parades down Main Street. Although many will admire his fine clothes, he is naked.