The Alabama Policy Institute has been awarded the 2026 Ed-Prize by the State Policy Network, a national organization of state-based public policy groups, in recognition of its Opportunity Anchors Initiative, an effort designed to expand educational options for Alabama families ahead of universal CHOOSE Act eligibility in the 2027-28 school year.

The Ed-Prize recognizes organizations developing innovative K-12 education initiatives that create practical alternatives and expand learning opportunities. This year’s recipients were the Alabama Policy Institute and Eastside Academic Studies. Grants range from $20,000 to $75,000 and include a 12-month collaboration with State Policy Network staff to help recipients strengthen their projects.

According to the Alabama Policy Institute, its Opportunity Anchors Initiative was selected for its strategy to address what the organization describes as the implementation gap in Alabama’s school-choice landscape. While the CHOOSE Act established education savings accounts for eligible families, API said expanding the number of available learning environments is the next challenge as eligibility is scheduled to become universal during the 2027-28 school year.

Rather than building new schools from the ground up, API said the initiative is designed to help communities transform existing assets into educational opportunities. The organization plans to work with churches, ministries, synagogues, homeschool leaders and community organizations to develop micro-schools, homeschool cooperatives and satellite learning programs.

API said many of those organizations already have classrooms, meeting spaces and deep community relationships but need assistance navigating the legal, operational and administrative steps involved in launching education programs. Through the Opportunity Anchors Initiative, the organization said it will provide a statewide support system to help those groups establish and sustain new educational offerings.

“Passing the CHOOSE Act was a monumental achievement for Alabama families, but a policy on paper does not create a seat in a classroom,” Stephanie Smith, president and CEO of the Alabama Policy Institute, said. “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.”

API said the initiative is intended to broaden the range of educational options available to Alabama families so that when universal CHOOSE Act eligibility takes effect, parents have access to meaningful choices that best meet their children’s needs.

The State Policy Network said the Ed-Prize supports “bold, scalable innovations” that improve K-12 education across both traditional and alternative learning environments.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].