This collection contains documents from the rural school system of Shelby County, Iowa dating from 1875-1980. 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, 1931-1966”, “Office of the Superintendent, 1882-1980”, “Township, 1917-1966”, and “District and School, 1875-1966” -- which are sub-divided by format. Series 1. “County Board of Education, 1931-1966” contains records created by or utilized by the County Board of Education. Sub-Series 1: Records on Microfiche, 1931-1966 consists solely of Reorganization and Consolidation Records. Sub-Series 2: Physical Documents and Records, 1931, 1961 includes Petitions to the County Board of Education and a Secretaries’ File. Series 2. “Office of the Superintendent, 1882-1980” contains records that are created by or utilized by the Superintendent’s Office. Sub-Series 1: Records on Microfiche, 1902-1980 includes Teachers’ Examination Record, Record of Teachers’ Certificates, Teacher Permanent Cumulative Records, School Officer and Teacher Record, Teacher’s Teaching Records, Eighth Grade Examination Record, and Pupils’ Permanent Records Sub-Series 2: Physical Documents and Records, 1882-1897 consists solely of a Superintendents’ Record. Series 3. “Township, 1917-1966” contains records created by or utilized by the Township Board of Education. This series consists of Township Board of Education Secretaries’ Records, Township Board of Education Treasurers’ Records, and a Township Board of Education Savings Passbook. Series 4. “District and School, 1875-1966” contains records pertaining to individual school and/or districts. Sub-Series 1: Records on Microfiche, 1882-1966 includes Teachers’ Reports to the Superintendent and Daily Attendance Registers. Sub-Series 2: Physical Documents and Records, 1875-1965 includes District Board of Education Financial Records, Library Record, and Daily Attendance Registers.