This collection contains documents from the rural school system of Mahaska County, Iowa dating from 1850-1975. The records cover a majority of the rural schools’ histories, but they are not comprehensive: some records were lost before their transfer to the Center for the History of Rural Iowa Education and Culture. The collection material is arranged into four series: “County Board of Education, 1933-1970”, “Office of the Superintendent, 1909-1968”, “Township, 1943-1963”, and “District and School, 1865-1956”. Series 1. “County Board of Education, 1933-1970” contains records that were created by or utilized by the County Board of Education. This series consists of County Board of Education Meeting Minutes, County Board of Education Financial Records, Reorganization and Consolidation Records, and Plat Maps. Series 2. “Office of the Superintendent, 1909-1968” contains records that were created by or utilized by the Superintendent’s Office.  This series consists of High School Normal Training Records, Teachers’ Record Cards, Record of Schools Taught, Record of Teachers in Rural Schools, Enrollment Records, Pupils’ Permanent Records, Eighth Grade Examination Records, Eighth Grade Graduation Records, High School Grades and Graduation Records. Series 3. “Township, 1943-1963” contains records created by or utilized by the Township Board of Education.  This series consists solely of Township Board of Education Financial Records from Cedar Township. Series 4. “District and School, 1865-1956” contains records pertaining to individual school and/or districts. This series consists of Teachers’ Reports to the Superintendent, Room Registers, District School Censuses, Library Records, a School History from Indianapolis School, a Patriotic Poster from Union Township, Daily Attendance Registers, and Complete Term Registers.