Pamela Burdman, Just Equations’ executive director, penned an op-ed on math evolution that was published by The Hechinger Report.
The op-ed advocates for up-to-date math education to prepare and engage students in the ways mathematics is being used today in many fields and industries.
Data science courses teach the use of statistical concepts and computer programming to investigate contemporary problems using real-world data sets.
The courses have been gaining in popularity, particularly with high school math teachers. They say the more relevant content offers a highly engaging entry point to STEM, especially for students who have been turned off by traditional math courses.
“This course transformed my teaching practices and transformed the lives of many students. Special education, English learners, and calculus students worked side by side,” Joy Straub, who taught a data science course in Oceanside for six years, told the members of the California State Board of Education at their July meeting, before they voted to make California the 17th state to add data science to its curriculum.
“Students who had a dislike for math suddenly were transformed into math lovers … skilled in statistical analysis, computer programming, and critical thinking. I saw many students who never would have taken an AP math course take AP Statistics.
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