Data Science: The Essential 21st Century Skill

Data proficiency is now a top priority for employers. According to a recent Gallup poll, 37% of managers in the US want to see strong data science skills in workers. At the Charles A. Dana Center, we’re helping make data science education a possibility for all students. 
 
Data science education equips students to recognize and identify patterns, visualize and analyze data and results, ask critical questions, and clearly explain their findings. Being data-literate prepares students to connect math to real-world applications, strengthening their ability to engage effectively with data as the economy changes and AI tools, which rely heavily on data, become more commonplace. 

A Call to Action: Preparing Our Future Generation 

Most K–12 students are graduating without foundational data science skills, leaving them unprepared to navigate a data-driven world, as highlighted by Data Science for Everyone. As the need for data science skills grows across the workforce, many K–12 and higher education systems are joining forces with education organizations to meet this challenge.

Supported by the Valhalla Foundation, the Charles A. Dana Center is participating in the Data Science Policy Collaborative, which works with states to modernize mathematics by integrating data literacy into core K–12 instruction. 

Data Science Starter Kit 

Through this collaborative, a communications starter kit, Why Data Science Matters in K–12, was developed to share the relevance of data science and to spark conversations that can drive policy changes. Follow the instructions below to customize this resource to fit your audience. 

Customize and Download

Regardless of their chosen career paths, students will benefit from being fluent in interpreting and applying data in their personal lives and future careers. By raising awareness on the importance of data science, you can support an emerging skillset that opens doors and increases opportunities for all students.