"Ilya is the name of my son. Maybe, maybe not because of that show"
— Carly Rae Jepsen on whether she turned to Heated Rivalry for baby name inspo. Just so we’re clear… she’s literally saying that’s what she called him, maybe?
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.
