Skip to Content

Randall Ryder

Stillwater, MN
Commenter for
2 years 12 weeks

Recent Comments

Posted on 11/03/11 at 07:48 pm in response to iSpace: How iPods (and similar devices) help us endure crowds

Somewhat skeptical that the intervening variable is sound by speakers or headphones and the type of sound. One's level of comfort is also affected by the general surroundings when they are wearing headphones. In fact, there ma be cases when, in unfamiliar surroundings, one's personal space shrinks as they are dealing with too much visual ambiguity or uncertainty.

Posted on 11/02/11 at 07:46 pm in response to Minnesota's new teacher-evaluation law among 17 given high marks

You said it yourself. We don;t know if the tests are measuring the right things. If they are not, they are meaningless as is the entire proces. How long must we tinker with education?

Posted on 10/28/11 at 03:43 pm in response to Tea Party to Bachmann: 'Go away'

Minnesotans to Bachmann: "Stay Away!"

Posted on 10/10/11 at 06:43 pm in response to Black students' suspension rate at MPS is far higher than others'

Indeed, this data is typical of urban school districts. The issue is whether the educational system is in some way bias toward black youth. From my experience it is a complex issue but to a large extent suspension rates would likely be higher among the poor and in those families where there is poverty and there is no male figure. I don't think we can conclude that is the teachers' determination as to whether a student is suspended, nor is it likely the school system. Spend a day in intake...

Posted on 10/08/11 at 11:29 am in response to Want ed-tech boom? Go for 'disruptive innovation,' Thomas Jandris says

I was involved in a four year Federal grant examining the effect of computers on learning with a focus on applications of technology which would be "disruptive." Bottom line, no significant differences in learning regardless of whether the students were in suburban, rural or urban districts. No effects whether students were in private schools or whether students were high or low achievers. We need to flip the instructional paradigm then figure how to best use technology.

Posted on 09/29/11 at 03:37 pm in response to Quick turn for Kansas City's school-turnaround chief (sound familiar?)

Wonderful article. Unfortunately, there are many urban school districts that lack the needed leadership for effective educational reform. I would love to see the Gates Foundation create an academy that would train future superintendents.

Posted on 09/26/11 at 10:39 am in response to 'Overachiever' Brenda Cassellius gets good news on Minnesota NCLB waivers

The only assessment that is truly meaningful in terms of measuring teacher success is a measurement of student academic growth as measured through authentic assessment focusing on classroom learning. Standardized tests may be just fine for compairing students in Minnesota to those in other states, but the content and format of these "achievement" tests lack validity.

Posted on 09/19/11 at 07:07 pm in response to Vikings lose again, defying all odds and logic

I really do get tired of the platitudes from coaches. Jim, have you considered writing a book on the platitudes of professional sports?

Posted on 09/19/11 at 07:04 pm in response to Big-bucks search is on for new Carlson School dean

Business school deans generally draw high salaries relative to other deans in higher education as they are expected to bring in large donations to the school. Any candidate for this postion will have to demonstrate a track record for fund raising.

Posted on 09/11/11 at 08:51 pm in response to Four-year graduation rule will doom some schools to unfair, inevitable failure

Disappointing article and it would appear, on the surface, that there was minimal effort to obtain a broder perspective of the issue of graduation rates. Indeed, one cannot except non-native speakers to have the same degres of success as native speakers, all other factors being equal. What happens when you factor i the students' level of English proficiency? Similarly, the district can factor in a students' IQ when reporting academic progress. Why is this not discussed? The students...