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.

A Texas teenager who fatally stabbed a 17-year-old athlete from a rival track team has been found guilty of murder. Jurors on Tuesday convicted 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony and sentenced him to 35 years in prison in the death of Austin Metcalf. The killing last year stunned the booming Dallas suburb of Frisco. Both teens attended different schools there. Prosecutors accused Anthony of egging on a confrontation after being asked to leave the tent of Metcalf's team. Anthony’s attorney claimed the stabbing was self-defense. The case drew wide attention, in part because of social media posts about race. Anthony is Black. Metcalf was white. But prosecutors and defense attorneys said the case had nothing to do with race.

Jury convicts Texas teen of murder in fatal stabbing of 17-year-old athlete from rival team at a high school track meet.

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.

Lawyers have delivered opening statements in the trial of a former Texas high school athlete who is accused of fatally stabbing a 17-year-old competitor from a rival team at a track meet. A prosecutor described it as a “sneak, surprise attack.” The killing last year stunned a Dallas suburb where the teenagers attended school and quickly drew wider attention, in part because of social media posts about race. The accused, Karmelo Anthony, is Black and the victim, Austin Metcalf, was white. Anthony's lawyer says the teen was defending himself.

The fatal stabbing of a British teenage who was handcuffed despite telling offices that he was wounded has sparked a debate about policing and race. The killing of teenager Henry Nowak in December gained renewed attention after the killer, Vickrum Digwa, was sentenced to life in prison on Monday. Police responded to a report that Nowak had racially assaulted Digwa and officers initially dismissed Nowak's claim that he had been stabbed. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Tuesday that he was sickened by video of the arrest and expressed concern over how racism accusations influenced police decisions. A police watchdog is investigating the officers' actions.

A South Carolina jury has found a store owner not guilty of murder in the 2023 shooting of a Black 14-year-old. The jury returned the verdict Monday for Chikei Rick Chow. Chow shot Cyrus Carmack-Belton in the back after chasing him from his store in South Carolina. Prosecutors said Chow wrongly thought the teen had stolen four bottles of water and then shot him in the back. Defense lawyers maintained Chow fired to defend his son after the teen pointed a gun at him. The killing sent waves of anguish and grief through the African American community in Richland County, where nearly half the population is Black.

South Carolina jury finds store owner not guilty of murder in killing of Black teen.

Malaysia has started enforcing rules to prevent children under 16 from having social media accounts. This decision is part of a global effort to enhance safety protections. Platforms like Facebook and TikTok must implement age-verification systems. Existing users identified as under 16 will have a month to manage their data before restrictions apply. Companies that fail to comply face hefty fines. The government aims to protect children from harmful content and cyberbullying. Critics worry about data privacy and potential surveillance. Families have mixed reactions, with some supporting the changes and others concerned about their impact.

There will be a new men’s champion at the French Open after Novak Djokovic followed Jannik Sinner out of the door at Roland Garros in a five-set thriller. Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca beat 24-time major winner Djokovic 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 in the third round to follow Thursday’s huge upset when four-time Grand Slam winner Sinner lost to 56th-ranked Juan Manuel Cerundolo. But second-seeded Alexander Zverev, the 2024 runner-up, advanced. Along with Daniil Medvedev, Marin Cilic and Stan Wawrinka all the men’s major winners are out. So a new pair of hands will raise the Coupe des Mousquetaires trophy on June 7.