The Pauline B. Gough Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a high school senior entering college to study journalism or English and teach. The recipient is selected by the PDK prospective educator scholarship selection committee.

In August 2003 Phi Delta Kappa established the scholarship in memory of Pauline Gough, retired editor of the Phi Delta Kappan, who died July 24, 2003, after a lengthy illness. Pauline was a former schoolteacher who joined the Kappan staff in 1980 and was named editor in 1988. Many readers looked forward to her editorials as the Kappan tackled a wide range of topics, including controversies and debates, during her tenure. In November 2002 Pauline received the Excellence Award from the California Professors of Reading and Language Arts, capping a career devoted to excellence in education and the public schools.