No one knows a school's weaknesses and needs like its principal, who is often called upon to come up with ideas for programs, products, and services to address them. The problem is that most ideas, whether they involve personnel, equipment, software, or materials, require money. Because most schools operate with limited resources and fixed…

Under the 1996 Telecommunications Act, the Federal Communications Commission established a $2.25 billion annual fund to support communications services for needy K-12 schools and libraries. Services eligible for Universal Service support include telephone lines, integrated digital networks, private lines, and Internet access hookups. The…