THIS REPORT FROM TEXAS WESTERN COLLEGE CONCERNS THE PROBLEMS INVOLVED AND CURRENT PRACTICES IN TEXAS SCHOOL PURCHASING DEPARTMENTS. TWO SURVEYS WERE CONDUCTED BY THE COLLEGE TO INVESTIGATE TWO AREAS. ONE WAS TO DETERMINE SUPERINTENDENTS' PURCHASING PRACTICES BY SCHOOL SIZE, WHILE THE SECOND WAS TO DETERMINE, ALSO BY SCHOOL SIZE, THE LEVEL AND RANGE OF DISCOUNTS GIVEN BY MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS OF SCHOOL EQUIPMENT. THE AUTHORS RECOMMEND THAT (1) WORKSHOPS ON SCHOOL FINANCE BE HELD, (2) MORE SCHOOL FINANCE COURSES BE INTRODUCED IN COLLEGE CURRICULUMS, (3) SMALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS INITIATE COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAMS, AND (4) SMALL COOPERATING SCHOOL DISTRICTS EMPLOY A PURCHASING SPECIALIST. (JH)