This collection contains documents from the rural school system of Dallas County, Iowa dating from 1867-1980. 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, 1892-1954”, “Office of the Superintendent, 1867-1980”, and “District and School Records, 1896-1966” -- which are sub-divided by format when necessary. Series 1. “County Board of Education, 1892-1954” contains records created or utilized by the County Board of Education. This series includes County Board of Education Meeting Minutes, Reorganization and Consolidation Records, and Plat Maps. Series 2. “Office of the Superintendent, 1867-1980” contains records and records on microfilm that were created or utilized by the Office of the Superintendent. Sub-Series 1: Physical Records, 1867-1980 contains a Superintendents' Docket, High School Normal Training Records, Teachers' Examination Records, Record of Teachers' Certificates, School Officer and Teachers Record, and Eighth Grade Examination Records. Sub-Series 2: Records on Microfilm, 1908-1970 consists of School Officer and Teacher Records and a Record of Schools Taught. Series 3. “District and School, 1896-1966” is composed of records and microfilmed copies of records pertaining to individual schools and districts. Sub-Series 1: Physical Records, 1896-1966 consists solely of Teachers' Reports to the Superintendent. Sub-Series 2: Records on Microfilm, 1909-1922 consists solely of Preliminary Classification Reports.