Abstract
The Purpose. The most important factor in the work of a school system is its teachers. None of the other essentials such as curricula, "building and equipment can make up for a low grade of instruction. Consequently in the desire to lift the schools to higher levels the chief concern must "be the improvement of teaching. The purpose of this study is to evaluate teaching in the one-teacher rural schools of Shelby County, Iowa, and to determine whether there is any relationship "between the product of teaching and the type of teacher certification.