This collection contains documents from the rural school system of Wapello County, Iowa dating from 1870-1975. 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 three series -- “County Board of Education, 1870-1965”, “Office of the Superintendent, 1864-1975”, and “District and School, 1895-1966” -- which are sub-divided by format. Series 1. “County Board of Education, 1870-1965” contains records created by or utilized by the County Board of Education. Sub-Series 1: Physical Records, 1922-1965 includes County Board of Education Minutes, Textbook Records. Sub-Series 2: Records on Microfilm, 1870-1963 includes County Board of Education Minutes, County Board of Education Treasurers’ Record, and a County Superintendents’ Register. Series 2. “Office of the Superintendent, 1864-1975” contains records that are created by or utilized by the Superintendent’s Office. Sub-Series 1: Physical Records, 1889-1966 includes Superintendents’ Files, Secretaries’ Annual Reports, Teachers’ Contract, Eighth Grade Graduates, and High School Admission Certificate Records. Sub-Series 2: Records on Microfilm, 1864-1975 includes Appeals to the County Superintendent, Record of Teachers’ Certificates, Life Validation Records, Teacher Contracts, Teachers’ Record Cards, School Officer and Teacher Records, Substitute Teacher Cards, Teachers’ Annual Sick Leave Records, and Pupils’ Personal and Classification Reports. Series 3. “District and School, 1895-1966” contains records pertaining to individual school and/or districts. Sub-Series 1: Physical Records, 1895-1966 includes District Board of Education Minutes and Financial Records, Room Registers, Teachers’ Reports to the Superintendent, District School Censuses, and Daily Attendance Registers Sub-Series 2: Records on Microfilm, 1895-1966 includes District Board of Education Financial Records, Room Registers, Teachers’ Reports to the Superintendent, and Daily Attendance Registers.  Please note, the Teachers’ Reports to the Superintendent located on Rolls 1, 2, and 9 were not photographed in any discernable order.