The RAND Critical Technologies Institute (CTI) was asked to report on the progress federal agencies have made and the problems encountered in implementing Executive Order 12999, which streamlines the transfer of excess and surplus federal computers to schools and nonprofit organizations. This documented briefing presents the findings from that review and discusses private-sector, nonprofit, and state-sponsored programs that transfer used computer equipment to elementary and secondary schools. Findings from the study include: (1) schools can benefit from donated computers--refurbished used computers can extend limited school budgets and speed up the process of bringing educational technology into the classroom; (2) transferring equipment in good working order is essential--gifts of nonworking equipment are usually counterproductive for both donors and recipients; (3) refurbishing provides more and better equipment for schools-- recyclers report that only 25-35% of the donated computers they receive can be transferred as is, so refurbishing increases usable output to 65-70% of incoming donations, and recyclers can often upgrade donated machines; (4) independent recycling organizations can operate at larger scale than individual donors or recipients; and (5) recycling organizations offer advantages, but other approaches to refurbishing also seem feasible. If properly managed, recycling programs can add substantially to the number of capable computers in elementary and secondary school classrooms. (SWC)