Awards

Rice U, SXSWedu Open Rather Prize to Improve Texas Education

• By Sri Ravipati
• 10/21/16

Rice University in Texas has once again teamed up with conference and festival organizer SXSWedu to host a competition to improve the state’s K–12 education system.   

Founded in August 2015, the Rather Prize is backed by journalist Dan Rather and his grandson Martin Rather. The award “identifies and implements courageous local-level ideas from educators and students,” according the competition website.

Winners will receive:

• A $10,000 educational grant from the Rather Prize;
• An additional $10,000 from Rice U’s Center for Civic Leadership to implement their idea; and
• An all-expenses paid trip to present their idea at the seventh annual SXSWedu Festival in March 2017.

Last year, Eastside Memorial High School in Austin Independent School District won the inaugural prize for its proposed mentorship program. The school received $10,000 for its STEP Up Challenge, a project that helps prepare students for college and strengthens matriculation strategies for minority and underrepresented populations.  

Any Texas teacher, student or administrator can submit an idea until Dec. 31 on the Rather Prize site.