SCPC, partners win Heritage Innovation Prize for joint education project

A project led by the S.C. Policy Council and partner think tanks that serves student-focused school board members received a prestigious honor this week. Our initiative – the Carolinas Academic Leadership Network (CALN) – was awarded the Heritage Foundation Innovation Prize on Monday before a packed house of conservative leaders in Washington, D.C.  

Founded last year, CALN serves school board members in North and South Carolina with first-class professional development, policy and legal resources, and networking opportunities as part of a mission to elevate student achievement and champion parental authority.  

CALN is a joint initiative of the S.C. Policy Council, the Palmetto Promise Institute, and the John Locke Foundation.  

The Heritage Foundation said in a press release: 

“Heritage’s award will aid CALN and its partners in providing fellowships, trainings, and support to local school board members in North and South Carolina to empower parents and advance students' achievements without the one-sided agendas that have corrupted many educational institutions.” 

CALN was one of nine recipients of this year’s highly competitive Innovation Prize awards. Established by Heritage in 2022, the Prize aims to “recognize and advance innovative projects, strategies, and policy solutions of organizations that are seeking to ensure the future of American self-governance.” 

“The stakes for quality education and academic integrity are at an all-time high in this chapter of American history,” said Bryce Fiedler, SCPC senior policy analyst and member of the CALN board of directors. “We are honored to receive the Innovation Prize from Heritage, providing tremendous support as we work to empower school board leaders and bring student needs back into focus.”