Education

American Students Are Getting Schooled

What’s going on: US schools just got their report card, and they’re not making the honor roll. Yesterday, we got the results of the global “PISA” exam, which surveys kids in 38 countries every three years. American 15-year-olds didn’t fare so well. Reading scores fell 30 points below average, and only 8% of students scored at the highest math level. The number of students who failed to reach even a basic proficiency level in these subjects increased over the past ten years. All of which might help explain the latest Gallup poll that found Americans’ satisfaction with K-12 education is at its lowest recorded point. Only 32% of American adults say they are “completely” or “somewhat” satisfied with the schooling system, compared to a high of 67% who are dissatisfied.

What’s with all these failing grades?: Test scores have been declining over the last decade, a trend that worsened during the pandemic. Experts say dips in student performance are linked to increased screen time. Social media continues to add distractions, and AI is on the rise. At the same time, the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the Education Department, and its repeated attacks on schools, teachers, and diversity programs, have eroded public confidence in classrooms. Education Secretary Linda McMahon says these global test scores mean the US needs to give states greater control over education, and continue defunding public schools in favor of private charter schools. We need a parent-teacher conference with America, stat. 

Related: Kids Aren’t Reading As Many Full Books in School Anymore (The Washington Post gift link)

Quelle Horreur

What’s With All the Art Heists? 

What's going on: Police in the French Riviera are looking for thieves who allegedly used a metal saw or an electric knife to steal four Renoir paintings from a museum. Authorities say they narrowly missed the subjects, and found two of the stolen pieces in a garden. Two other paintings remain at large. If you feel like you’ve heard this story before, that’s because the vibes have been extremely Ocean’s Eleven over in Europe in recent months. In March, burglars swiped three paintings from a private museum in Italy (they were later recovered), and in August, a small museum in Spain was targeted for its collection of Bronze Age objects. And who could forget last year’s Louvre robbery, during which thieves escaped with millions worth of historic jewelry, and we all learned that the Louvre’s video surveillance password was “Louvre.” 

So… now what?: Anyone else wondering if there’s a secret Facebook Marketplace group out there for historic stolen art? As one art detective (a real job) pointed out, “No one will want to buy” stolen paintings. But experts say they these highly recognizable, culturally significant, irreplaceable works can sometimes be used as leverage against authorities by those in the criminal underworld. A recent Europol report suggests museum heist perpetrators have increasingly displayed a willingness to engage in violence, which would suggest a criminal history. The report also says that, as with the Louvre heist, thieves are targeting museum jewelry and precious metals because they can be taken apart or melted down and sold for some fast cash. Get me Clooney and get him now.

Related: Outraged Eiffel Tower Employees Strike To Protest Treatment of Female Colleagues (CNN)

Back in Our Day

Time To Invest in a New Walkman 

What's going on: If you donated all your CDs when you bought your first iPod, you might be feeling a twinge of regret right about now. Yes, CDs are back: the Recording Industry Association of America’s midyear report shows that sales are up more than 58% compared to the first half of 2025, and the rate of growth is outpacing another physical media favorite, vinyl. There are several different reasons in play: Physical media collectors want to own their favorite albums, audiophiles say CDs sound better, Gen Z trendwatchers think they’re cool, and kids use them while complying with school phone bans. K-pop fans are responsible for a significant portion of CD sales, but lovers of modern pop and vintage (yes, vintage) ‘90s artists also contributed. 

Now where is my Britney CD?: You might as well dig up your old DVDs, VHSs, and digital cameras, too. TechCrunch attributes old tech’s popularity in part to Gen Z “yearning for an era of tech they never got to experience” (at least millennials can claim this one win). Listening to a CD means you can avoid algorithmic suggestions and annoying ads, and instead create your own taste and just get lost in the music, man. Nostalgia is driving a whole industry, with platforms like Retrospekt, eBay, and Depop offering a way for people to shop for old tech. Forget your Beanie Babies, you should have held onto your Sony Walkman; they’re going for up to $200 a piece these days.

Related: Gen Z Is Quitting Social Media and Turning to “Dumbphones” (CBS News)

What’s Trending at the Amazon Baby Sale

The September sale is still live, which means you can save money going into the new school (daycare) year. Here’s what Skimm moms are adding to cart:

• This sleeveless dress in various colors, because all it takes is slipping over a kid’s head to get them ready for the day.

• Colorful organizing baskets for their art supplies.

• The hair accessories holder that will save you so much time in the morning.

• An adorably patterned mom tote that’s begging to be filled.

Quick Hits

🇬🇧 Prince George started his first day of school at Eton College, and your back-to-school pics were never this glamorous.  

🦟 A new study found that people who distracted themselves from an itch actually had worse inflammation than those who didn’t. So go ahead and scratch, you have our permission. 

❓Think you can be a Jeopardy! clue writer? Take this quiz to find out. What is “our dream job”?

🫖 The best thing to drink when you’re sick is also the most boring. At least you’re not missing out on the taste. 

🍂 Trader Joe’s is bringing back apple and allspice, and here are ten of its best seasonal treats. They had us at pumpkin flan. 

💄 It’s not just you: Your lip balm might actually be drying out your lips. Here’s how to protect them (step away from the sugar scrubs).