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Younger students have regained academic ground lost during the pandemic, but older students' test scores remain stagnant. That's according to the latest testing data released Wednesday by the federal government. The report shows 9-year-olds have returned to pre-pandemic reading levels and improved in math. But scores for 13-year-olds in math and reading are still below pre-pandemic averages. Schools have focused on revamping elementary instruction, especially in reading, but experts say more attention is also needed for adolescents, especially middle schoolers. The national test has been given every four years since the 1970s. Students' scores peaked in 2012, then declined, corresponding with the rise of social media on cellphones.

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Britain’s deputy prime minister said Sunday that he told U.S. Vice President JD Vance he was wrong to blame immigration for the death of a university student who was handcuffed as he lay dying from a stab wound. David Lammy, who is also the justice minister, said he challenged Vance in what he described as a “robust” phone call on Saturday. The call came a day after Vance said in a post on social platform X that there should be “righteous anger” in response to the murder of Henry Nowak, 18, who died in December after being stabbed by Vickrum Digwa in the English city of Southampton.

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A courtroom sketch shows Mike Hward, standing, a defense attorney and Karmelo Anthony, left front, sitting at the defense table in opening arguments Thursday, June 4, 2026, in McKinney, Texas, during the trial of a teen accused of fatally stabbing another during a track meet in suburban Dallas last year. (Pat Lopez via AP)

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A courtroom sketch shows the district attorney pointing at Karmelo Anthony, center, at the defense table in opening arguments Thursday, June 4, 2026, in McKinney, Texas, during the trial of a teen accused of fatally stabbing another during a track meet in suburban Dallas last year. (Pat Lopez via AP)

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A courtroom sketch, provided by Pat Lopez shows Karmelo Anthony, center, at the defense table, the jury on the left and the presiding judge on the right, on Thursday, June 4, 2026, in McKinney, Texas, during the trial of a teen accused of fatally stabbing another during a track meet in suburban Dallas last year. (Pat Lopez via AP)