This collection contains documents from the rural school system of Marion County, Iowa dating from 1865-1966. 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 three series -- “Office of the Superintendent, 1867-1969”, “Township, 1865-1874”, and “District and School, 1879-1973" -- which are sub-divided by format. Series 1. “Office of the Superintendent, 1867-1969” contains records created by or utilized by the County Board of Education. Sub-Series 1: Physical Records, 1867-1965 includes Payroll Records, High School Normal Training Records, Teachers’ Examination Records, Record of Teachers Certificates, Record of Teachers in Rural Schools, School Officer and Teacher Records, Records of Teachers’ Service, Teachers’ Reading Circle Records, Eighth Grade Examination Records, and Lists of Rural Pupils. Sub-Series 2: Records on Microfilm, 1902-1969 includes High School Normal Training Records, Records of Teachers’ Certificates, School Officer and Teacher Records, Teachers’ Record Cards, Substitute Teachers’ Record Cards, Dedication Program, Eighth Grade Examination Records, Eighth Grade Graduation Records, High School Grades and Graduation Records, and Complete Lists of Pupils in Rural Schools. Series 2. “Township, 1865-1874” contains records created by or utilized by the Township Board of Education. It consists solely of Township Board of Education Minutes from Knoxville Township. Series 3. “District and School, 1879-1973” contains records pertaining to individual school and/or districts. Sub-Series 1: Physical Records, 1879-1964 includes District Board of Education Minutes and Financial Records, Teachers’ Reports to the Superintendent, Room Registers, and Daily Attendance Registers. Sub-Series 2: Records on Microfilm, 1937-1973 includes Room Registers, County School Censuses, Preliminary Classification Reports, Daily Attendance Registers, and Plat Maps.