A case study of school development in Jackson County, Illinois, from 1870 to 1976 is presented in this monograph. Settlement in southern Illinois and establishment of Jackson County are discussed briefly. The study of the educational history of the county is divided into three chronological sections. The educational heritage section, 1818-1854, investigates the first schools. It discusses the school law of 1825, subscription schools, and financing of the schools. The section on the middle period in school development, 1855-1900, presents information about town schools, school life, educating the Negro in Jackson County, the teachers, school buildings, and special schools. The section covering the modern period, 1901-present, discusses the history of country schools, teaching, parochial schools, high schools, and consolidation of the schools. Historical data are sketchy because many records from Jackson County have been destroyed; thus, the case study is based on original research. The author believes that the case study of Jackson County can provide generalizations that are applicable to other locales. (ND)