This paper presents a rationale for developing computer-based information systems for use by the special education personnel of a consortium composed of 13 rural school districts, and outlines a three-function database that would meet the operational requirements of administrative and clinical staff and the informational needs of parents and the community. Seven assumptions are presented from the perspective of the needs of an intermediate education agency to demonstrate the need for computer-based information systems; and the concepts of organizing documents, domains of inquiry, and agents of decision and action are identified as the three levels of inquiry of a typical education agency. Finally, the three database functions of "Required Reports,""Reflective Practice," and"Decision Responsiveness" are described, and their relation to the three levels of inquiry is discussed. The relation of the three levels of inquiry to the three database functions is also depicted graphically, and 28 references are provided. (KM)