ast, diverse, limitless: the state of Texas boasts many
strengths, and all allude to its expansive resources and rich
diversity. We have countless ideas to share and invaluable
resources to utilize.
Despite all that Texas has to offer, however, our educa-
tion system continues to face systemic problems. We hope
to find solutions through our initiative, the Rather Prize,
which seeks to reward high-quality ideas from Texas students,
teachers, and administrators.
Founded by journalist Dan Rather and his grandson
Martin Rather, the Rather Prize and our partners at Rice
University in Houston seek a nonpartisan avenue for
empowering local-level voices in education. To ac-
complish this goal, we encourage idea submis-
sions from students, teachers, and adminis-
trators—anyone who learns or works in
a Texas education institution—across
the state. After public voting on fi-
nalists, we award the winner a
$10,000 prize and an addition-
al $10,000 in implementa-
tion support from Rice
University's Center for
Civic Leadership.
THE
RATHER
PRIZE
18
ATPE NEWS
Innovative Ideas from Students, Teachers,
and Administrators to Improve
Education in Texas
BY DAN RATHER, MARTIN RATHER, & RICE UNIVERSITY