Where does a lack of a "real" degree in educational administration trump more than 15 years of experience reforming major American school districts? 

Sadly lots of places, but one in particular is Bridgeport, Connecticut.

A court recently ruled that Superintendent Paul Vallas must step down because of his lack of a "real" education degree (despite his previous work as a former Superintendent of the Recovery School District of Louisiana, and as a former CEO of Chicago Public School and the School District of Philadelphia), inspiring Arne Duncan's apt portrayal of the situation as "beyond ludicrous."

Just as it's possible for teacher preparation programs to add value (even though our Teacher Prep Review shows that most aren't), we suspect that it's possible for educational administration programs to add value (but probably most aren't). 

If Vallas is unable to prevail on appeal to a higher court, he might abandon the role of superintendent and -- having once earned an incontestably "real" credential for that role -- get a stint as a substitute teacher.