College-admissions data like these often feed a "calculus vs. data science" debate about HS math. However, I encourage you to approach that potentially healthy debate cautiously. The definition of data science is contested & it sometimes embeds large but tacit declines in academic standards #EduSky - ThreadSky

tomdee.bsky.social • 90 days ago

College-admissions data like these often feed a "calculus vs. data science" debate about HS math.

However, I encourage you to approach that potentially healthy debate cautiously. The definition of data science is contested & it sometimes embeds large but tacit declines in academic standards #EduSky

Reposted from Jill Barshay

A new survey of college admissions officers demonstrates the enduring importance of calculus on the h.s. transcript. Signs that attitudes are shifting, but test-optional admissions may increase the weighting of calc. hechingerreport.org/proof-points...

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matloff.bsky.social•90 days ago

High school data science courses, e.g. IDS in LA, are appallingly weak. But that is the (admitted) goal! The schools WANT easy courses, so that weak students can get into college. By contrast, university admissions people want applicants to show they have been challenged, e.g. by taking calculus.

mattbarnum.bsky.social•90 days ago

interesting, can you elaborate?

tomdee.bsky.social•90 days ago

I'm thinking specifically of the evolving California debate (isn't it always California?) over data science (as defined) & its place in UC guidance for college students.

https://edsource.org/2024/high-schools-demand-clarity-about-ucs-new-math-policies/716103

mattbarnum.bsky.social•90 days ago

right. and in what sense is it lowering standards? by dropping calculus as a requirement?

tomdee.bsky.social•90 days ago

Not quite. There's been chopping and changing about whether a course called introductory data science could supplant Algebra 2. This involves differences in defining exactly what data science is (not just its relevance). That is, does data science need Algebra 2 (and calculus?)?

mattbarnum.bsky.social•90 days ago

gotcha, thanks. I'm still not totally following in what sense data science leads to lower standards — because the particulars of the proposed course lack rigor? — but might be worth a convo at some point!

tomdee.bsky.social•90 days ago

Always happy to chat! In the California context, I see it as lower standards because of how the substance of data science is sometimes defined and the effort to have it crowd out not only calculus but also Algebra 2.

tomdee.bsky.social•90 days ago

IMHO, it also obscures a deeper debate we should have about the college-prep focus of most American high schools & how to balance that sensibly and equitably with promising new #CTE models.

lizcohen12.bsky.social•90 days ago

We should also debate the value of learning difficult material precisely because it's difficult, not for any future utility. If all learning in hs/college becomes transactional, or only to prepare for specific jobs, we devalue learning itself & encourage more siloed education.

sharonlurye.bsky.social•90 days ago

The problem with setting up a binary choice between data science/calc is whichever class the advanced students take will be seen as the superior subject, regardless of the merit of what they're learning.

sharonlurye.bsky.social•90 days ago

A basic understanding of data / stats is essential for EVERYONE, so all kids should learn it. If it's only an option for kids who DON'T take calc, it will always be seen as the easy, less rigorous class.

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