Examining Current State of Data Science Education in High Schools and Higher Education Institutions

Data science education (DSE) has become a global trend, and in Japan, it is gaining increasing emphasis, as evidenced by the introduction of accredited programs for higher education institutions. However, despite the proactive establishment of institutional frameworks, there has been limited discussion regarding the educational effectiveness within individual institutions, such as high schools and universities, as well as the continuity between these educational stages. This study administered a data science comprehension assessment to 406 high school and 1,652 first-year university students in early April 2025, prior to receiving formal DSE at their respective institutions. While university students scored slightly higher than high school students, the overall comprehension levels were low, and differences across departments, particularly between STEM and non-STEM students, were negligible. These results suggest the need to reassess the respective roles of individual educational institutions, strengthen curricular continuity, and refine the specific content delivered at each stage.