This collection contains documents from the rural school system of Clayton County, Iowa dating from 1870-1980. 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 three series: “County Board of Education, 1937-1966”, “Office of the Superintendent, 1875-1980”, and “District and School Records, 1870-1962” -- which are sub-divided by format where necessary. Series 1. “County Board of Education, 1937-1966” contains records created by or utilized by the County Board of Education. Sub-Series 1: Physical Records, 1940-1966 contains County Board of Education Meeting Minutes and Reorganization and Consolidation Records. Sub-Series 2: Records on Microfilm, 1937-1961 consists solely of Reorganization and Consolidation Records. Series 2. “Office of the Superintendent, 1875-1980” contains records that were created or utilized by the Office of the Superintendent. Sub-Series 1: Physical Records, 1875-1980 consists of High School Normal Training Records, Teachers' Examination Records, Record of Teachers' Certificates, Teachers' Record Cards, School Officer and Teacher Record, Record of Teachers' Service, Teachers' Permanent and Cumulative Records, and Eighth Grade Examination Records. Sub-Series 2: Records on Microfilm, 1895-1980 contains Payroll Records, Records on Teachers' Certificates, Teacher Record Cards, Superintendents' Record of Teachers' Service, Teachers' Teaching Records, and Pupil Awards. Series 3. “District and School, 1870-1962” is composed of records that were created or utilized by individual schools and districts. Sub-Series 1: Physical Records, 1870-1962 consists of District Board of Education Meeting Minutes, District Board of Education Financial Records, Teachers' Reports to the Superintendent, and Daily Attendance Registers. Sub-Series 2: Records on Microfilm, 1903-1957 contains Room Registers, Teachers' Reports to the Superintendent, Daily Attendance Registers, a Complete Term Register, Iowa High School Athletic Association Annual Reports, and a copy of All Around Us.