EDTECH
'Cyber Schools' Draw Flak Over Funding and Methods
INTERNET
Judges End Library Porn-Filter Trial On Skeptical Note
Pew Internet Project Releases Study on E-Goverment
BROADCAST
FCC Chairman Proposes Voluntary Actions to Speed the Digital
Television Transition
EDTECH
'CYBER SCHOOLS' DRAW FLAK OVER FUNDING AND METHODS
Dozens of Pennsylvania school districts are pursuing a legal challenge
against Einstein Academy, a "cyberschool" proving online education for
elementary and secondary school students. According to state law,
neighboring districts are required to pay for students in their district who
have selected a charter school in another district. The law was set up to
encourage competition among districts, but according to Cheltenham Township
School District superintendent Charles Stefanski, "We think too much money
is going out of the district for what they are delivering."
Supporters of cyberschools believe they offer broader opportunities, while
opponents say the competition for public funds is hurting school districts
and teachers may lose jobs. There is also the issue of knowing how effective
online education is at the elementary and secondary-school levels. While 50
cyberschools are operating in the U.S., many states and accreditation
agencies are struggling to evaluate their success. Steve Smith, a policy
analyst with the National Conference of State Legislatures, said, "This is
all in its infancy...almost nobody knows what's OK and what's not."
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Robert Tomsho]
(http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB1017956771773469560,00.html?mod=Page+One
)
(Requires subscription)
See Also: Cyber School Flunking First Year
[SOURCE: Wired, AUTHOR: John Gartner]
(http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,51489,00.html)
INTERNET
JUDGES END LIBRARY PORN-FILTER TRIAL ON SKEPTICAL NOTE
Federal judges ended a two-week trial voicing concerns about whether the
Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) infringes on free speech rights.
The law requires libraries to install Internet filtering devices on public
computers that would block access to Web sites designated as harmful to
minors, or lose federal technology funding. Those who want CIPA overturned
claim that if libraries begin to block Web sites they will be denying
patrons their First Amendment right to free speech. Chief Judge Edward
Becker said, "We're stuck right in the heart of the First Amendment when
we're talking about libraries." A major issue in the case is filtering
software itself. Both sides of the argument recognize that there is
currently no product that would block objectionable Web sites without also
blocking legitimate sites such as Planned Parenthood, Sports Illustrated and
Salon.com. The three-judge panel will rule in early May and the case is
expected to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
[SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Reuters]
(http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/editorial/2999883.htm)
See Also: Judges Blast Library Filtering
[SOURCE: Wired, AUTHOR: Declan McCullagh]
(http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,51591,00.html)
PEW INTERNET PROJECT RELEASES STUDY
The Pew Internet and American Life Project has just published a study
entitled "The Rise of the E-Citizen: How People Use Government Agencies' Web
Sites." Based on a phone poll conducted in January 2002, the study is a
follow-up to a similar poll taken in March 2000. The 2002 study indicates
that 68 million American adults have used government agency Web sites, a
sharp increase from the 40 million adults who used e-government in the 2000
poll.
According to the study, 42 million Americans have used government Web sites
to research public policy issues, 23 million have used the Internet to send
comments to public officials, 14 million have used government Web sites to
collect information to help them decide how to case their votes and 13
million have participated in online lobbying campaigns. Eighty percent of
government Web site visitors say that they find what they are seeking on
these Web sites. Federal and state sites are more popular than local sites.
Those polled found the federal and state sites more informative and
accessible than local government Web sites. All in all, the study indicates
that a "Web presence is not optional for governments in the United States.
Citizens are online and learning to demand answers at Internet speed."
[SOURCE: Pew Internet & American Life Project: AUTHORS: Elena Larsen and Lee
Rainie]
(http://www.pewinternet.org/reports/pdfs/PIP_Govt_Website_Rpt.pdf)
(Adobe Acrobat Reader required to view this PDF document.)
BROADCAST
FCC CHAIRMAN PROPOSES VOLUNTARY ACTIONS TO SPEED THE DIGITAL TELEVISION
TRANSITION
In 1997, Congress set a deadline of 2006 for broadcasters to convert to
digital signals, and granted additional television spectrum to do so. But
the constant bickering between broadcasters and TV manufacturers has all but
stopped the rollout. Broadcasters blame the manufacturers for not producing
the TV sets consumers need to receive digital broadcasts, while
manufacturers complain that broadcasters do not offer enough digital
programs to drive the sales of digital TV sets.
In an effort to spur both sides to action, FCC Chairman Michael Powell
yesterday proposed a set of voluntary industry actions. The chairman urged
the four major networks, as well as HBO and Showtime, to offer at least half
of their prime-time schedules for this fall in digital format. Powell also
asked network affiliates in the 100 largest U.S. cities to upgrade their
equipment to digital standards by January 1, 2003. For cable and satellite
providers, Powell suggests that some digital programs be offered at no
additional cost to consumers by January 1, 2003. A four-year plan for
television manufacturers is suggested to step up the production of digital
TV sets and set-top boxes for older TVs. In a cover letter to the proposal,
Powell writes, "The plan is purely voluntary but, as you can see,
contemplates that each relevant industry will play a significant role. I
intend to seek commitments along these lines in the near future."
[SOURCE: Washington Post, AUTHOR: Frank Ahrens]
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A63600-2002Apr4.html)
Chairman Powell's proposal is available at
(http://www.fcc.gov/commissioners/powell/tauzin_dtv_letter-040402.pdf).
Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view this document.
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