Data science captures the complexity of data and data methods that have arisen with advances in technology. It is a collaborative science that uses complex data and methodology to identify and explain trends and patterns in a particular context. Since data science bridges disciplines, it should be taught across the curriculum. Because of the structure of most high schools, data science courses will likely reside in mathematics departments.
It is essential that students understand data so that they can comprehend the massive amounts of information that they encounter on a regular basis and is available at their fingertips. High-quality experiences working with data expose students to new and different kinds of content that can energize and motivate them and enable them to see many uses for mathematics to make sense of the world around them.
Accordingly, NCTM has released a position statement onTeaching Data Science in High School: Enhancing Opportunities and Success.
Ensuring that all students have the mathematical experiences necessary to increase their opportunities for personal and professional success is essential. Data science is a rigorous, engaging, and practical field of study and can be a significant part of a high school student's mathematical experience. Knowledge of data science is important, and a data science course should be accepted as a high school mathematics course that can be used for credit towards graduation, provided the course includes or builds on previous, substantive student work with essential concepts, knowledge, skills, and habits of mind in mathematics and statistics, as described in Catalyzing Change (NCTM, 2018).
- All students should have the opportunity to take four years of high school mathematics, and data science content should be available to all students in order to complete their high school mathematics graduation requirement.
- A high school data science course merits mathematics credit if it includes substantive student work with essential concepts, including those from Functions, Quantitative Literacy, Visualizing and Summarizing Data, Statistical Inference, and Probability (NCTM, 2018).
- A high school data science course merits mathematics credit if it includes substantive student work with skills students develop from their understanding of the essential concepts.
- A high school data science course merits mathematics credit if it includes substantive student work with habits of mind in mathematics and statistics.
- Students should have access to mathematical action technology within and out of school to support their mathematical and statistical work in any high school mathematics course they choose to take.
- A high school data science course involves significant content knowledge and skills. A data science course is a valuable resource for students in learning how to appreciate and understand the world around them.
Read the full position statement.
About NCTM Position Statements
NCTM position statements define a particular problem, issue, or need and describe its relevance to mathematics education. These statements address important and timely policy issues relevant to mathematics education. They rest on the foundation provided by Principles and Standards for School Mathematics, Principles to Actions and research, and address issues that extend beyond the classroom. Each one defines the Council's position or answers a question central to the issue. Position statements are approved by the NCTM Board of Directors.