Issues

Students are issued badges or tags with embedded chips that either broadcast a radio signal, (battery-powered active systems) or are read when they are near a radio-frequency reader (passive systems).RFID badges are read at school doors, on buses or at school events so educators know who’s where. The technology also allows school doors to be locked and allow entry to only those with RFID badges. "And once you collect the information, there is no rolling back." more »

"Do scientists have specific recommendations for effective ways to boost cognition in healthy, older adults? Are there merits to the claimed benefits of the brain games and if so, do older adults benefit from brain-game learning in the same ways younger people do? How large are the gains associated with computer-based cognitive exercises? Are the gains restricted to specific skills or does general cognitive aptitude improve? How does playing games compare with other proposed means of mitigating age-related declines, such as physical activity and exercise, meditation, or social engagement?"    more »

The Voting Information Project offers technology tools that give voters access to the customized information they need to cast a ballot on or before Election Day. For instance: A short messaging service (SMS) provides voters with election information via text message. By texting "VOTE" or "VOTO" to 69520, voters can find polling places, contact information for local election officials. more »

Women's unemployment rate was higher than men’s for first time since December 2012, according to new analysis by the National Women's Law Center of data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Women's largest gains in September were in professional & business (+29,000), private education & health services (+24,000), retail (+16,600) and leisure & hospitality (+16,000). more »