BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – July 20, 2026 – The Alabama Policy Institute (API) is proud to announce that API has been named a recipient of the 2026 Ed-Prize by the State Policy Network (SPN). This prestigious award recognizes API’s commitment to bold, scalable innovation in K–12 education through its Opportunity Anchors Initiative.
The Ed-Prize is awarded to organizations that are actively building practical alternatives to traditional education models. API was selected for its strategic approach to closing the implementation gap in Alabama’s school-choice landscape.
While the passage of Alabama’s CHOOSE Act represented a historic victory for school choice, establishing refundable education savings account tax credits for families, API recognizes that policy reform is just the first step. With eligibility for the CHOOSE Act scheduled to become universal in the 2027–28 school year, the state faces a critical challenge: ensuring there is a sufficient supply of diverse, high-quality learning environments to meet the coming demand.
“Passing the CHOOSE Act was a monumental achievement for Alabama families, but a policy on paper does not create a seat in a classroom,” said Stephanie Smith, President/CEO of the Alabama Policy Institute. “Through the Opportunity Anchors Initiative, we are helping focus on the practical reality of school expansion. We are honored to receive this Ed-Prize, which will allow us to turn community assets into thriving educational hubs.”
The Opportunity Anchors Initiative is designed to assist churches, ministries, synagogues, homeschool leaders, and community organizations in transforming existing spaces into vibrant educational environments, including micro-schools, homeschool cooperatives, and satellite learning programs. Many of these local institutions possess the necessary infrastructure, such as classrooms, meeting spaces, and deep community relationships, but lack a clear roadmap for navigating the operational, legal, and administrative hurdles of launching a formal education program. The Opportunity Anchors Initiative will provide a statewide support system to help these leaders navigate school formation and sustainability.
By fostering this diverse marketplace of options, API aims to ensure that when universal eligibility takes effect, Alabama families have access to meaningful, varied choices that best serve their children’s unique needs.
You can find more information about the SPN Ed-Prize here: https://spn.org/ed-prize-civics-prize-winners-2026/
About the Alabama Policy Institute
The Alabama Policy Institute (API) is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit research and education organization dedicated to strengthening free markets, limiting government, and supporting strong families across Alabama.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact: admin@alabampolicy.org
