This collection contains documents from the rural school system of Jefferson County, Iowa dating from 1845-1984. 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 five series -- “County Board of Education, 1850-1965”, “Office of the Superintendent, 1867-1984”, “Township, 1887-1962”, “District and School, 1845-1975”, and "Town and Independent School, 1933-1962" -- which are sub-divided by format. Series 1. “County Board of Education, 1850-1965” contains records that were created by or utilized by the County Board of Education. This series consists of County Board of Education Meeting Minutes, County Board of Education Secretaries’ Records, Reorganization and Consolidation Records, and a Plat Book. Series 2. “Office of the Superintendent, 1867-1984” contains records that were created by or utilized by the Superintendent’s Office. Sub-Series 1: Physical Records, 1867-1975 consists of a Superintendents’ File, High School Normal Training Record, Teachers’ Examination Record, Record of Teachers’ Certificates, Record of Teachers in Rural Schools, Teachers’ Instructions, County School Censuses, Eighth Grade Examination Records, High School Grades and Graduation Records, and an Iowa Tests of Basic Skills Record. Sub-Series 2: Records on Microfilm, 1906-1984 contains Record of Teachers’ Certificates, Teachers’ Certificate Renewal Record, Teachers’ Complete Records, and Teachers’ Record Cards. Series 3. “Township, 1887-1962” contains records created by or utilized by the Township Board of Education. This series contains Township Board of Education Secretaries’ Record, Township Board of Education Treasurers’ Record, and Township School Censuses. Series 4. “District and School, 1845-1975” contains records pertaining to individual rural schools and/or districts. This series consists of District Board of Education Secretaries’ Record, District Board of Education Treasurers’ Record, District Board of Education Financial Records, Teachers’ Reports to the Superintendent, Room Registers, District School Censuses, Library Reports, and Daily Attendance Registers. Series 5. "Town and Independent School, 1932-1966" contains records created and/or utilized by town and independent schools. This series consists solely of Room Registers from Lockridge Independent and Pleasant Plain Consolidated.