CourseKata Fellowship for High School Statistics Teachers
Apply today to bring a modern stats + data science course to your students — for FREE
CourseKata has secured funding to support fellowships for statistics teachers during the 2024-2025 school year. If you expect to teach an on-level (non-AP) statistics course next year, apply today— it’ll take less than 20 minutes!
An Online Modern Approach to Statistics + Data Science
CourseKata is a comprehensive online, interactive course used to teach statistics and data science to college and high school students throughout the U.S. Students learn core statistical concepts and how to do basic data analysis using R (a statistical programming language).
The program includes:
- An online textbook with more than 1,500 formative assessment questions and embedded coding exercises
- An extensive library of in-class materials (presented as cloud-hosted Jupyter notebooks) that are used to support lesson implementation, authentic assessment, and student projects
- Top-notch professional development to support your journey into data science, even if you’ve had no previous experience with R or any coding language
Qualifications for the CourseKata Fellowship
Applicants must be new to CourseKata and ready to jump in!
Specifically, please be sure you can confirm the following qualifications:
✅ Plan to teach high school statistics or another class in the 2024-25 school year where the CourseKata curriculum is relevant (this necessitates that you are already scheduled to teach a class that can potentially use CourseKata materials)
✅ Your administration is likely to approve your use of CourseKata in the classroom
✅ Never previously used the CourseKata materials to teach statistics and data science
✅ Will participate in a study group over the 2024 summer — nine one-hour sessions held via Zoom (various dates are available to fit your schedule)
✅ Available for two-three feedback sessions throughout the school year with peers across the country
Value of the CourseKata Fellowship
You and your students will get access to a robust teaching and learning program throughout the 2024-2025 year — all for FREE.
Access for all students:
- One-year of access to CourseKata online and in-class materials for all students enrolled in your class(es)
(Valued at $24/student)
A comprehensive PD and support package:
- A complete statistics and data science course, including access to all online and offline materials
- Unlimited access to Zoom study groups and professional development workshops
- Tech support for LMS integration
- Support for local guidance counselors
(Valued at $800)
Complete the application in less than 20 minutes!
Deadline to apply is Sunday, June 2, 2024, but we encourage you to apply early as applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
Questions? Check out the FAQs below and schedule time to speak with us.
If you can’t commit to the Fellowship but are still interested in learning more about CourseKata, sign up for a study group being held this summer. Experience the curriculum as a student.
FAQs
Why was the Fellowship created?
We are eager to get CourseKata into more high school classrooms in the 2024-25 school year so we can continue to adapt and improve the curriculum to meet the needs of an increasing number of high school students. We are looking for student-centered teachers who are motivated to teach with modern materials that lead students to apply math in the real world.
When will I know if I’ve been selected?
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and we encourage interested teachers to submit applications early. All applicants will be notified of their status by June 7, 2024.
How can I learn more about CourseKata?
Visit our website where you can preview the textbook, watch our 3-min overview video, sign up for an instructor account, and more. You can also sign up for a 20-minute introductory meeting with one of the co-authors of the curriculum, Dr. Jim Stigler (UCLA) or Dr. Ji Son (Cal State LA). They will share more about the course materials and answer any questions you might have.
Do I need to sign up for a meeting with Jim/Ji to be accepted to the Fellowship? Is it an interview?
No, this is not an interview, and it’s completely optional. It's an opportunity to learn a little more about CourseKata and get your questions answered.
Do I have to teach students in the fall?
You have to commit to teach students during the 2024-25 school year with the CourseKata materials. If you are not scheduled to teach statistics in 2024-25 but are still interested in CourseKata, you are still invited to join a free study group this summer.
What else is expected of me during the Fellowship?
In addition to attending a summer study group and teaching in 2024-25, awardees will be asked to provide feedback to the CourseKata research and development team (e.g., participate in focus groups centered on your teaching experiences). Our goal is that you’ll help us better understand your implementation needs so that we can address them for our full cadre of instructors, and ultimately bring data science to more high school students across the country!
What if I can’t commit to teaching using the CourseKata curriculum this next school year?
Experience the curriculum as a student this summer in one of our study groups. We are seeking funding for future fellowships (e.g., the 2025-26 school year), and will advertise those opportunities with teachers who have taken our study groups this summer. Please feel free to share the Fellowship and study group opportunities with your peers!
What if I have never coded before and don't know R?
No worries! Most of the teachers who use CourseKata have no experience with coding or R. They learn alongside their students, and we are always here to help.
Who created CourseKata?
Developed at the cutting-edge of learning science by professors from UCLA and Cal State LA, CourseKata started in 2017 as a project to modernize the teaching of introductory statistics in California's public institutions of higher education. The approach was originally borne out of theories in learning and improvement sciences: the course materials — designed to foster flexible and applicable learning of statistics concepts and skills — are continuously improved based on teacher implementation and data. High schools joined the CourseKata community in 2020.
Where has CourseKata been used?
The curriculum is used in more than 60 high schools in 11 states, as well as in more than 50 colleges and universities in 20 states. Internationally it has been used in Canada, UK, EU, and China.
What if I still have questions?
Email us with your questions at info@coursekata.org.
