This examination of computer use in schools provides an overview of current trends, as well as detailed analyses of the use of computers in programs for disadvantaged learners funded by Chapter 1 of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981, and programs for students with limited English proficiency. A summary of this report and a general overview of the trends and status of computers in American education are followed by an analysis of the use of technology by Chapter 1 programs. This analysis reviews early use of technology in such programs in both public and private schools and profiles their current use of computers. The analysis of technology use with students with limited English proficiency considers the current status of this population and describes ways in which technology (primarily the computer) is used in these programs. The implications of the findings of this study for federal policy are considered for both groups, and four areas that need attention to improve the use of educational technology are identified: (1) teacher training; (2) software development; (3) dissemination of information; and (4) evaluation and research. The text is supplemented with graphs and diagrams, and footnote citations are provided throughout the text. The primary sources of the data used are an Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) survey of Chapter 1 directors and national surveys conducted by Market Data Retrieval, Inc., Quality Education Data, Inc., and the National Survey of Instructional Uses of School Computers (Henry Becker, Johns Hopkins University). (EW)