This collection contains documents from the rural school system of Benton County, Iowa dating from 1858-1972. 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, 1877-1972”, “Township Records, 1858-1892”, and “District and School Records, 1912-1966”. Series 1. “Office of the Superintendent Records, 1877-1972” contains records on microfilm that were created by the Office of the Superintendent. This collection consists of High School Normal Training Records, Teachers' Examination Records, Records of Teachers' Certificates, Records of Employment, County School Censuses, Pupils' Permanent Records, and Eighth Grade Graduation Records. Series 2. “Township Records, 1858-1892” contains records on microfilm created by the Township Board of Education. This collection contains Township Board of Education Minutes and Township Board of Education Financial Records. Series 3. “District and School Records, 1912-1966” contains records on microfilm created by individual districts and schools. This collection contains District Board of Education Financial Records, Teachers' Reports to the Superintendent, and Preliminary Classification Reports.