Legislation

  • FCC wrangles over 'net neutrality' issue
    Fri, Apr 18, 2008    Primary Topic Channel:  Federal Policy
    A divided Federal Communications Commission on April 17 grappled further with the thorny issue of how to relieve increasing online congestion, disagreeing sharply over whether government regulations are needed. [ Read More ]

  • FCC mulls net-neutrality rules
    Tue, Feb 26, 2008    Primary Topic Channel:  Federal Policy
    In a move with significant implications for how easily researchers, educators, students, and others can transfer large files online, federal regulators on Feb. 25 said they are ready to discipline internet service providers who secretly favor certain types of data traffic, such as web surfing, over others, such as file sharing. [ Read More ]

  • Education, technology, and the 2008 campaign
    Wed, Feb 13, 2008    Primary Topic Channel:  Federal Policy
    The Feb. 12 primaries in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia did nothing to diminish the notion that the 2008 presidential campaign now boils down to three legitimate candidates. As the campaign picture continues to become clearer, it's time to take a closer look at the positions of all three candidates on issues relating to education and technology. [ Read More ]

  • House passes higher-ed reauthorization
    Mon, Feb 11, 2008    Primary Topic Channel:  Federal Policy
    On Feb. 7, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved long-delayed legislation to reauthorize the Higher Education Act. Although the bill's primary focus is on containing college costs, it also includes a controversial measure that would pressure colleges and universities to take steps to keep students from pirating music and movies using campus computer networks. [ Read More ]

  • Bush on NCLB: 'Strengthen this good law'
    Tue, Jan 29, 2008    Primary Topic Channel:  Federal Policy
    Touting the success of the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), President Bush urged Congress to "strengthen this good law" by increasing accountability, adding flexibility for states and districts, reducing the number of high school dropouts, and providing extra help for struggling schools. [ Read More ]

  • New FAA rules limit batteries on flights
    Mon, Jan 14, 2008    Primary Topic Channel:  Federal Policy
    As educators nationwide prepare for a busy ed-tech conference season over the next few months, new airline restrictions on lithium batteries--such as those commonly found in laptop computers--could affect the way many travel. [ Read More ]

  • FCC to probe alleged data discrimination
    Thu, Jan 10, 2008    Primary Topic Channel:  Federal Policy
    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will investigate complaints that Comcast Corp. actively interferes with internet traffic as its subscribers try to share files online, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said on Jan. 8. The FCC's response will be an important test of its willingness to enforce "net neutrality," the principle that all internet traffic be treated equally by carriers. [ Read More ]