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It was at the height of distance learning that 16-year-old Aaron Butler joined the Young Data Scientist League and took his first steps into Compton Unified data science education. The following year, in 2021, the young African-American national basketball captain enrolled in Compton’s first high school data science course. That’s because, thanks to a 2020 decision by the University of California Admissions Board, such courses are now eligible for mathematics in a student’s junior or senior year of high school. Aaron, who is currently majoring in business economics at UCLA, said, “I used to be closed off to mathematics, but thanks to his science of data, I became more interested in mathematics.” Ta.
Due to the University of California’s decision to consider data science in its math requirements for college admissions, counselors at Compton University’s Dominguez High School are encouraging students like Aaron to enroll in data science without fear of losing their competitiveness for college admissions. recommended that you do so. Ensuring access to college is a top priority for students, who are primarily Hispanic, Black, and Pacific Islander, and 94% of whom are socio-economically disadvantaged. Data Science with Practical, Real-World Applications is a Rich Mathematics Engagement for Both Mathematically-Bad and Mathematically-Curious Students Take Her Four-Year Mathematics Coursework Recommended by UC It’s the perfect entry point to do so.
Now, the University of California has reversed that decision, making counselors much less likely to recommend data science to students. As a result, four-year high school math enrollment and retention rates for students of color are likely to decline.
Data Science at Dominguez High School is the only course in Compton Unified where students receive regular classroom instruction in related topics such as predictive mathematical modeling, machine learning, AI, sensitivity analysis, and programming. These all rely on math concepts that were taught and reinforced in the data science classroom. This is in addition to many other high-level concepts in quantitative reasoning and analysis, such as linear algebra, 3D vector spaces, and conditional probability.
As a data science course teacher at Compton University, I partnered with Youcubed at Stanford University to [Jason] Even though my students pass courses like Integrated Mathematics 3, Calculus, and even Calculus, they don’t fully understand the content and end up passing various advanced math standards. You will be teaching the content. Students report that they have had the opportunity to finally understand traditional math courses by applying concepts as part of their data science experience. When you learn to think about mathematics in context, you develop skills that will help you better learn later mathematics content.
Another perspective on this topic
This is a defining moment for mathematics education in California. Neural network models, which power AI tools such as ChatGPT, are one of the hottest topics in applied mathematics research. By embracing data science in 2020, the University of California is reframing mathematics as a relevant discipline that equips 21st century learners with scientifically valid tools to grapple with a rapidly changing information environment. We have taken an active step towards this goal. At the same time, UC allowed an alternative pathway to the university’s quantitative reasoning course without a student being excluded from her STEM major. If this decision were to be reversed, mathematics would be returned to a position of irrelevance in the eyes of most students, especially those who have traditionally been marginalized in her STEM fields.
Moreover, not counting data science courses toward admissions doesn’t just sacrifice a hook to attract students to STEM fields. Students who are not interested in STEM are also denied coding opportunities, further exacerbating the digital divide and, in turn, the gap between rich and poor. After establishing the College of Computing, Data Science, and Society on the Berkeley campus, the University of California’s Office of the President announced that “all undergraduate students in all fields of study will be increasingly exposed to data science while on campus.” You will need it,” he wrote.
Why should students wait until college to delve deeper into these rich areas of mathematical research?
Narrowing the scope of acceptable mathematics perpetuates exclusivity rather than promoting inclusivity and belief in the potential of all learners. Many Dominguez High School students and alumni we spoke with credited their success and persistence in STEM fields, including data science, to a growth mindset, cultural competency, positive identity, and supportive relationships. Correlated with community and structure.
As technology evolves, we must also reevaluate definitions, policies, and support systems to address gaps in math achievement, engagement, and retention. This comprehensive reassessment requires input from diverse stakeholders and fosters collective understanding and collaboration towards common goals. We have developed a review process that engages school districts, educational leaders, classroom educators, Cal State faculty, and families who can provide critical insight into the impact of major decisions affecting our most vulnerable populations. need to be introduced. This process must be data-driven. It is alleged that allowing data science to validate Algebra 2 negatively impacted students of color’s preparation for her STEM degree. Where is the data to support this claim? On the contrary, the traditional Algebra 2 pathway disproportionately fails to prepare students for colleges of color and also fails to deliver on its promise of promoting his STEM engagement in post-secondary education. There are decades of data showing that there isn’t.
We have seen the power of data science to increase college readiness and STEM engagement for all students, especially underrepresented students of color. As Aaron told us, “Data Science was very hands-on because we were applying the math we learned. It made me love the course even more.” All students like Aaron should be exposed to data science so that they can see their place in mathematics as a highly relevant 21st century discipline.
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jason lee morganhas been a math teacher at Compton’s Dominguez High School for 18 years and teaches data science courses at Stanford YouCubed.
Dr. Kagba Sualai He is a professor of mathematics and statistics at California State University, Long Beach, and a graduate advisor for the Applied Statistics master’s program.
Dr. Kyndall Brownexecutive director of the California Mathematics Project at UCLA; Dr. Robin WilsonMathematics professors at California State Polytechnic State University, Pomona and Loyola Marymount University contributed to this commentary.
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