Letters: Gov. Newsom has failed California's schools

"The article further exemplifies the gross incompetence of Gov. Newsom and his administration. These policy failures are causing lower living standards. It is beyond pathetic that reading and math scores among California's 5.8 million K-12 students trail national averages and more than half the students are reading below grade level. Perhaps policies oriented toward incentivizing excellence and merit could arrest California's continued educational downfall."

"Most who come out to defend our democracy are simply showing up, and in some cases, bearing witness to ICE agents racially profiling and brutalizing good people many of whom are American citizens. If you're not Native American, your forebears were immigrants who, in today's world, could have been recipients of ICE tactics. They likely came to this country to build a better life for themselves, and by extension, for you."

California's K-12 education system shows declining performance, with reading and math scores trailing national averages and more than half of students reading below grade level. Policy decisions are blamed for lowering living standards and perceived incompetence in governance. Protests against ICE are largely peaceful, with many attendees bearing witness to alleged racial profiling and brutality by agents, and observers emphasize immigrant forebears' contributions and vulnerability to enforcement tactics. Concerns are raised about accountability when agents may not be questioned. Public leadership is criticized for exhibiting temper-tantrum–like behavior, suggesting a need for firmer, more restrained governance.

Read at www.mercurynews.com