Issues are discussed that may help school boards become more aware of what instructional technology can and should do for students. The discussion is limited to computers and their relationship to other electronic learning technologies. The issues are organized according to policy and planning, staff, curriculum, equity, and funding. The effectiveness of computers in the schools can be realized only when there is adequate planning for their use, adequate training of the teachers and other staff who will use them, and high quality software. Equity issues include individual student access within a school building, access within the school district, the availability of equipment for both high-wealth and low-wealth districts, minority access, and male/female access. Cost is one of the most important reasons school districts must carefully plan acquisition of educational technology. A summary of recommendations is given at the front of the booklet, while two appendixes provide a sample instructional technology policy statement and a list of "19 Tough Questions to Ask and Answer" in evaluating the effectiveness of computer use in the classroom. (28 references) (SI)