Julia Griffin, Hanover town manager, is joining efforts to expand broadband networks in the State of New Hampshire. Griffin along with state legislators, telecommunications vendors and the Keene, N.H., town manager is partnering with Network New Hampshire Now, a program that presented a $66-million broadband proposal to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, NHBR.com reported. Public and private groups alike agree that the expansion could increase Internet capacity and initiate economic growth. The proposed fiber-optic network aims to create better Internet infrastructure to service home and business networks, creating opportunities for economic development through the extension of the Internet to more isolated areas, George Bald, the DRED Commissioner, said. A private company, the New Hampshire Fiber Network, would manage the network under the proposal, NHBR.com reported.
Little evidence exists to support the scholastic advantages of Advanced Placement courses, according to a new book, "AP: A Critical Examination of the Advanced Placement Program." The book argues that AP classes do not save high school students money or encourage them to graduate on time, Inside Higher Ed reported. The program's expansion may also prevent other programs in low-income high schools from receiving the money necessary for improvements. Since AP classes require experienced teachers and small class sizes, the book argues, schools without the program are often left with less-skilled educators and oversized classrooms. The book does confirm the College Board's assertions that AP tests are a good indicator of academic performance in college, but it contends the programs are often more prevalent in wealthy schools suggesting that students there are already more likely to succeed given their socieconomic status. Edited by Philip M. Sadler, Gerhard Sonnert, Robert H. Tai and Kristin Klopfenstein, the book is set to be released soon from Harvard Education Press, according to Inside Higher Ed.
The recently signed health care legislation will cause financial trouble in the United States, Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., told the Union Leader Tuesday. Gregg, who was recently appointed to an 18-member panel created to reduce federal deficits, said the legislation will break "the back of American fiscal policy" and make his goals which include reforming Social Security more difficult, the Union Leader reported. Gregg also told reporters that the bill will not improve Americans' health but will prevent drug and medical technology improvements, according to the Union Leader. Republicans aim to channel public anger toward the bill to make gains in the fall midterm elections, the Union Leader reported, noting Gregg's comment that "there's going to be a reaction in the next election to this."
