It’s back-to-school season and across the US, the aroma of freshly sharpened pencils, pumpkin spice everything, and ultra-processed pizza lunches is in the air. Check out some of our stories below to help you navigate the season.

Here at Vox we love that new groups of students discover our work each year and use it as a resource to build a deeper understanding of the policies, ideas, and culture shaping our world. At the same time, educators across the world tap into the value that Vox’s distinct style of reporting offers to strengthen curricula on a wide breadth of subjects. If this sounds like you or somebody in your life, check out our new student & educator offers.

What we lose when we stop writing by hand

by Jonquilyn Hill

Students are spending less time learning handwriting. Here’s why it’s still an important skill.

New college grads are doing better than the vibes suggest

by Bryan Walsh

Why a college degree is still worth it, even in 2026.

How to rebuild your broken attention span

by Adam Clark Estes

You’re taking breaks wrong.

The world’s biggest back-to-school crisis

by Sara Herschander

270 million kids won’t be in class this fall. Why?

Is it wrong to send your kid to private school?

by Sigal Samuel

How to think about what’s best for your child — and for all the other children, too.