Students form mile-long chain to urge California into federal scholarship program

By AI, Created 5:19 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – More than 1,100 students at St. Genevieve Parish Schools in Panorama City delivered 15,000 postcards calling on California Gov. Gavin Newsom to join a new federal education funding program. The campaign comes as supporters argue the initiative could bring billions to California schools starting in 2027, while opponents worry about the policy’s effects on public education.

Why it matters: - The Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program could direct billions of additional education dollars to California beginning in 2027 if the state opts in. - Supporters argue the program adds new funding instead of diverting money from existing public school budgets. - Students say California taxpayers could lose that funding to other states if Gov. Gavin Newsom declines to participate.

What happened: - More than 1,100 students at St. Genevieve Parish Schools in Panorama City formed a mile-long human chain through their neighborhood. - The students delivered more than 15,000 postcards to the local post office urging California to join the federal program. - Students wore purple shirts reading, “Governor Newsom, Say Yes to the FTCS.” - The first postcard moved from the school’s youngest student, age 3, hand to hand along the route before reaching the oldest students and the local postmaster. - A police vehicle escorted the postcard delivery.

The details: - The Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program lets taxpayers designate up to $1,700 of their federal tax liability to scholarship-granting organizations. - Those organizations can support accredited schools and educational services, including tutoring and technology resources. - The program requires each governor to decide whether the state will participate. - Student leaders met in person with Brooks Allen, Gov. Newsom’s education policy advisor. - Allen encouraged the students to “keep campaigning” while the administration continues studying the issue. - Students at St. Genevieve, known as the Valiants, are calling the campaign “A Valiant Effort.”

Between the lines: - The demonstration is both a public pressure campaign and a message war over how the program works. - Students are trying to counter the idea that the federal tax credit would reduce support for public schools. - The push also shows how the program has become politically cross-pressured, with support from both Republican and Democratic governors in other states. - National education figures including Jorge Elorza and former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan have also backed participation. - Watertower, a bluegrass-punk band, joined the demonstration and filmed parts of a street music video with the students.

What’s next: - California has not yet decided whether to opt into the program. - So far, 31 states have agreed to participate, including 26 Republican governors and five Democratic governors. - Colorado Gov. Jared Polis called the decision a “no-brainer,” and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said her state will participate. - Three Democratic governors who first opposed the program have said they are reconsidering. - Democrats for Education Reform polling found 59% of California voters support participation, including 76% of Black voters and 68% of Latino voters.