The series consists of almost 21 linear feet of letters and other correspondence received by the Commissioners of Education concerning education in Alaska from January 1, 1878, to 1916. There are letters, telegrams, reports, lists, receipts, vouchers, and other papers relating to the administration of the Alaskan school system and the reindeer herding project. There are also copies of newspaper and magazine articles, pamphlets, advertisements for school supplies, samples of blank forms, copies of contracts and agreements, plans for construction of buildings and proposed sites for schools, job applications and teaching certificates of teachers, transcripts of meetings, petitions requesting establishment of schools, and other miscellaneous papers.