Compton Superintendent Brawley Wins National Education Prize Darin Brawley, Superintendent of Compton Unified School District, has been awarded the 2026 Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education for his significant contributions to improving student achievement and district performance. Compton Unified Superintendent Darin Brawley has won a national education prize recognizing his leadership in improving student achievement in the district. Brawley will receive the 2026 Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education, which includes a $50,000 award, at a ceremony in New York City in November. The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, which administers the prize, cited the 'extraordinary impact' of Brawley and the two other recipients. Brawley won for his work in K-12; prizes are also awarded for higher education and lifelong learning. The McGraw Center noted that Compton's graduation rates increased from 58% to 94%, and college acceptance rates exceeded 95% during Brawley's 14 years as superintendent.It also highlighted the district's expanded college and career pathways and innovative industry and community partnerships. The higher education prize went to Shai Reshef, who founded the University of the People, and the lifelong learning prize was awarded to Michael Webber, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin