Data Science is needed in High Schools — Now

I taught mathematics in the classroom for a decade before embarking on a career in edtech — first as a content curator at an OER and formative assessment-based startup, then at summative assessment juggernaut ACT, and now at a workforce skills intelligence startup.

I currently have data scientists helping me in all aspects of my work, and see more than ever the importance of having Data Science as a high school course option. Students today don’t really need math past integrated 2 or algebra 2 — so let’s not waste everyones time. As this op-ed from October 2021 aptly demonstrates, there are already data science curriculums ready to be deployed and the only thing holding them back is teacher training and a resistance to what has ‘always been done’.

Integrated Mathematics was a great step forward nearly 10 years ago in high schools across California at least (I don’t really know what has gone on elsewhere). But many of the topics in the proposed data science curriculum include statistical measures, machine learning, working with basic python programs and large datasets. None of this is controversial, and most of it just extends what folks are already learning in high school statistics.

I’m looking forward to following closely moroe pilotos of Youcubed or UCLA’s data science curriculums as well as how these classes interact with Computer Science and Mathematics standards!