New Legislation to Boost Data Science in K-12 and Higher Ed

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated in 2021 that employment in data science-related jobs would grow 36 percent by 2031 as various industries look to use data to streamline day-to-day operations. To meet the growing demand for data professionals, education policy advocates are lauding the recently proposed Data Science and Literacy Act, which aims to strengthen and expand data literacy and science programming in K-12 schools and higher education nationwide.

According to a news release, the legislation — introduced last month by Reps. Haley Stevens, D-Mich.; Don Beyer, D-Va.; Young Kim, R-Calif.; and Jim Baird, R-Ind. — would establish a voluntary federal program through which K-12 schools, colleges and universities could apply for funding geared toward data science education. The bill specifically would fund professional development for current and aspiring data science educators, the creation and accessibility of curriculum materials, and efforts to reduce course equity gaps in students from populations that have historically been underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and math.