AUSTIN, Texas – Journalist Dan Rather, his grandson Martin and Rice University announced the Rather Prize on Monday, intended to recognize the best ideas for improving education in the state of Texas.
According to their website, The Rather Prize will be "a $10,000 unrestricted educational grant" that will be given to a Texas-based student or educator who provides the best idea to improve education in the state.
Martin conceived the prize after speaking with his grandfather about the elder Rather's experience in public school and after reading a study that ranked Texas 39th in public education.
"Texas is a wonderful state, it shouldn't be ranked 39th in anything," Martin said in an interview with KVUE on Monday. "There's so much opportunity and potential here."
Applications for the inaugural award open Aug. 10 and will close Jan. 31, 2016. The winner will be announced Feb. 15, 2016, and the winner will have the opportunity to attend and present their idea at the SXSWedu conference in March 2016 in Austin.
Martin, who is starting at Rice University in the fall, is also co-author of "The High School Truth." The book collected tips and stories from high school students across the nation of what those people wished they knew on their first day of freshman year.
Go here to learn more about the Rather Prize and how to submit your innovative idea.
