Ken Griffin Funds New Initiative to Elevate Data Science in K-12 Education

Citadel Founder and CEO Ken Griffin is the lead funder of Data Science for Everyone, a new coalition focused on prioritizing data science in K-12 education nationwide.

Incubated at the University of Chicago’s Center for Radical Innovation for Social Change and co-funded by Schmidt Futures, the coalition brings together business, technology and education leaders committed to making data science a national priority.

Over the next year, Data Science for Everyone will focus on engaging states and districts in meaningful curriculum and policy reform. To that end, the coalition has launched a Commitments Campaign through which companies, districts, higher education institutions and policymakers have pledged to take specific and measurable steps to advance access to data science education for all children.

Those commitments, along with opportunities to get involved, will be highlighted at a public virtual launch event on June 28.

IN ADDITION TO KEN, INAUGURAL MEMBERS OF THE COALITION INCLUDE:

• Arne Duncan, Former U.S. Secretary of Education
• Jo Boaler, Professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Education
• Kumar Garg, Managing Director and Head of Partnerships, Schmidt Futures
• Steve Levitt, Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago, Author of the best-selling book “Freakonomics” and Schmidt Futures Innovation Fellow

“In the 21^st century, data science literacy is a foundational building block of a well-rounded education. It unlocks our ability to see and understand the world,” Ken said. “This pathbreaking initiative will equip generations of students with the analytical skills they need to compete in any field they choose.”

Leaders of Data Science For Everyone have already met with the Department of Education to outline the coalition’s priorities and emphasize the critical importance of data science expertise to economic growth and workforce development.

Though data science is one of the country’s fastest growing occupations with 37 percent growth annually, few states or school districts ensure that students graduate high school with a basic command of data and only 11 percent of high school students even take a statistics course.

Data Science for Everyone is committed to changing that.

For additional information about Data Science for Everyone, click here to read the press release and here to visit the coalition’s website.