Education & Curriculum - The current high school math curriculum focuses on a pathway to calculus, which may not be the most relevant math for all students in today's data-driven society [7][8] - Nearly 40% of students end their education at high school, making it crucial to equip them with statistical literacy [8] - Over half of seniors attend schools that do not offer statistics courses, disproportionately affecting low-income students [18] - Colleges should deemphasize calculus in admissions to encourage students to take statistics [23] Statistical Literacy & Math Anxiety - Statistics can help individuals understand the world, realize they are not alone, and make connections to the greater world [4] - Math anxiety affects a significant portion of the population, with nine out of 10 Americans experiencing some level of it, particularly impacting low-income students and women [15] - Applying statistics to real-world subjects that interest students can alleviate math anxiety and improve understanding [16][17] The Importance of Statistics - In the age of big data, understanding statistics is crucial to avoid being misled and to control the narrative [5] - Statistics is more applicable to daily life and various careers than calculus [9][23] - Statistical literacy is argued to be a primary focus of the United States education system today [8]