TELECOM POLICY
Commentary: Time to Rewrite the Rules of Telecom
E-GOVERNMENT
Virginia to Put School Data On the Web
INTERNET
Should License Be Required to Go Online?
EVENTS
NetDay Speak Up Day, October 29
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TELECOM POLICY
COMMENTARY: TIME TO REWRITE THE RULES OF TELECOM
Internet technology, in particular voice over Internet protocol (VOIP), is
changing the telecom landscape. VOIP, which enables the sending of sound
packets over the Net, is cheaper and more efficient than traditional
wireline routing. The Baby Bells stand to lose billions of dollars in
access fees, as long-distance and upstart telecoms start moving voice
traffic to IP networks. States such as Minnesota, Alabama and Ohio are
investigating potential regulation of the VOIP industry. Florida has
decided against regulation in exchange for allowing BellSouth to boost its
rates by $1 billion, an increase that would have otherwise been spread over
six years. AT&T and Sprint are currently in a dispute over what fees can be
assessed on calls delivered over the Internet. Proponents of VOIP fear that
regulation could threaten the vibrant new technology and stifle greater
efficiency and investment in the ailing telecom sector. One thing both
sides agree on is that today's regulatory regime is outdated, argues
columnist Jane Black. "Over time, VOIP will make the telecom system as we
know it irrelevant," says Blair Levin, a former FCC chief of staff who is
now a telecom analyst.
SOURCE: Business Week; AUTHOR: Jane Black
http://businessweek.com/technology/content/sep2003/tc2003098_0676_tc004.htm
E-GOVERNMENT
VIRGINIA TO PUT SCHOOL DATA ON THE WEB
Virginia Governor Mark R. Warner (D) announced a project to put data from
all the state's schools online by next year, enabling the public to make
comparisons between K-12 schools within a jurisdiction or statewide. The
database would cost between $1 million and $2 million and would contain
statistics such as student-teacher ratios; attendance, graduation and
dropout rates; student performance and achievement gaps; enrollment trends;
demographics; and some national data. "As governor, one of the biggest
frustrations I have had is that basic measures of school performance vary
widely across localities and states," Warner said at the second in a
month-long series of announcements on generally low-cost ways to make public
schools more efficient and accountable. "Comparative data is difficult to
get, but useful in terms of setting priorities" on such things as pupil
services, instruction and supplies, said Fairfax school superintendent
Daniel A. Domenech. Detailed rankings can also shatter myths, he added.
For instance, poorer school systems regard Fairfax as fantastically wealthy,
he said, but in reality the county ranks 11th statewide in per-pupil
spending.
SOURCE: Washington Post; AUTHOR: R. H. Melton
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A51737-2003Sep9.html
INTERNET
SHOULD LICENSE BE REQUIRED TO GO ONLINE?
Some Net users believe that mandatory education before going online could
reduce careless Internet use and perhaps prevent some of the threats that
plague the Internet. Minimum competency requirements might include updating
anti-virus programs, installing firewalls and understanding copyright law.
For example, students requesting computer accounts at the Austin campus of
the University of Texas must attend a 45-minute workshop that covers
copyright, security, password protection and other issues. Oberlin College
in Ohio threatens $25 fines for students who inadvertently spread a virus.
On the other hand, mandatory education and licensing has its drawbacks. An
agency would have to be identified to create and enforce the rules.
Technology advances too quickly, and repeat certifications would be
necessary, says Jonathan Zittrain, a Harvard law professor and Internet
specialist. Additionally, mandatory education and testing would exclude
some users, such as the illiterate, the disabled, and people vexed by
standardized tests. Many Internet users ignore efforts to educate them
about the dangers of the Internet, and these habits won't necessarily change
if we require licenses and set minimum skill standards, writes the AP's
Anick Jesdanun.
SOURCE: The Ledger; AUTHOR: Anick Jesdanun, AP
http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20030912/APF/309120658
EVENTS
NetDay Speak Up Day, October 29
NetDay Speak Up Day will be a widespread effort to reach out to students
across the US and to learn how they are using technology and the Internet.
Public and non-public schools will lead classroom discussions while students
take part in an online survey. NetDay will report the results to
participants, partners, and to the U.S. Department of Education for
inclusion in the National Technology Education Plan. To "Speak Up," a school
must register prior to the event, receive a template with a series of
questions and teacher and classroom support materials to guide them through
the process. On the day of the event the comments pertaining to the
questions will be submitted online through the NetDay website.
SOURCE: NetDay
http://www.netday.org/voice_student_voices.htm
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