To help California school board members make informed decisions about computers, this handbook offers a computer primer with examples of outstanding computer curriculum programs. Chapter 1 introduces basic computer terminology. Chapter 2 outlines issues to consider in computer acquisition and the initial implementation of computer curricula. The second chapter also gives guidelines for evaluating the individual acquisition needs of a given district. Summaries of 7 other exemplary programs selected from the over 75 districts responding to a statewide survey are also provided. The fourth chapter briefly describes how a computer works. Included in the report are diagrams of the computer process and computer systems, tables showing test score improvement through computer use, a summary of avoidable pitfalls in computer purchasing, and a list of criteria for identifying outstanding computer curricula. Three appendixes contain a glossary of computer terms, definitions of 8 computer languages, and a chart summarizing the computer programs of the surveyed school districts of 27 counties; the chart includes names of contact persons, computer types used, and grade levels involved in the programs. (JBM)