The Houston (Texas) Independent School District established a Department of Technology to encourage the use of educational technology, especially computers, in district schools. Obstacles included claims to "turf," rapid technological change, and the lack of trained management, clear policies, and sufficient staff incentives. The department established short and long-range program goals, helped create district policy, and identified training as critical for success. The department planned to use technology to teach technology, train a cadre of teachers at each campus, use teachers as "facilitators," base training certification on proficiency, emphasize computer applications rather than programming, standardize hardware, establish a model classroom, create districtwide data processing formats, and stress problem-solving. The plan focused on training educational personnel in the uses of technology from the top administrators and school board members down to ensure administrative support. Rules identified who was to be trained and to what degree. The department also provided networking, a software library, software and curriculum review, a newsletter, a mentor system, an annual technology fair, stipends for trainees, and support for parent involvement, as well as methods for maximizing funding. Local school initiatives enhancing the district program were encouraged. (PGD)