This collection contains documents from the rural school system of Howard County, Iowa dating from 1883-1970. 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, 1913-1966”, “Office of the Superintendent, 1907-1970”, "Township, 1883-1923", and “District and School, 1883-1937” -- which are sub-divided by format where necessary. Series 1. "County Board of Education, 1913-1966" contains records created and/or utilized by the County Board of Education. Sub-Series 1: Physical Records, 1916-1966 contains County Board of Education Meeting Mintues, County Board of Education Financial Records, and Plat Maps. Sub-Series 2: Records on Microfilm, 1913-1938 consists solely of a County Board of Education Secretaries' Record. Series 2.  "Office of the Superintendent, 1907-1970" contains records created and/or utilized by the Office of the Superintendent. Sub-Series 1: Physical Records, 1907-1970 includes High School Normal Training Records, Record of Teachers' Certificates, School Officer and Teacher Records, and Eighth Grade Examinations. Sub-Series 2: Records on Microfilm, 1913-1938 contains High School Normal Training Records and Eighth Grade Examination Records. Series 3. "Township, 1883-1923" contains records created and/or utilized by the Township Board of Education. This series consists solely of Township Board of Education Secretaries' Records.  Series 4. “District and School, 1883-1937” contains records created and/or utilized by individual schools and districts.  Sub-Series 1: Physical Records, 1883-1936 consists of District Board of Education Minutes, Room Registers, Teachers' Reports to the Superintendent, Daily Attendance Registers, and Library Reports. Sub-Series 2: Records on Microfilm, 1899-1937 contains Library Reports, Daily Attendance Registers, and a Complete Term Register.