FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., Sept. 4 -- The University of Arkansas issued the following news release:

Hope Caruthers taught kindergarten in Monticellofor nine years. Then, while finishing a master's degree delivered online by the U of A, she moved into an administrative position.

"It has helped my career," Caruthers said. "I moved from a classroom teacher to the preschool director at the end of last year. So, I have finished my first year, but we have made so much progress in a year in our district, and I am super proud of that."

That's pretty much what was supposed to happen.

Caruthers was chosen to participate in the IMPACT Arkansas Principal Fellows Program as she earned her Master of Education degree in educational leadership. The fellowship...