Forming a consortium to share the financial burden of bringing microcomputer hardware and software into the schools is one way that small schools can maintain educational quality and equity in a time of rapidly increasing microcomputer technology. Six small schools in Missouri, in conjunction with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) formed a consortium in 1982 to employ a computer technolgist to provide in-service training for teachers at each of the participating schools and to work toward the development of educational microcomputer applications. In a regular schedule of visits to the schools and to DESE, the technologist provided teacher in-service, focusing on upgrading faculty and administrative computer literacy, developing computer assisted instruction, exploring the use of microcomputers for instructional management, and developing an awareness of available microcomputer networks. The consortium efforts resulted in local computer interest groups, a wide range of available software, economical cooperative hardware purchases, and greater cooperation among the schools. Cooperative school consortia seem to work effectively when used with three to eight schools of similar size, located close together. Formal organization and leadership are not necessary although one school should serve as fiscal agent. Outside resource persons can be helpful. (SB)