The 2019 United States Conference on Teaching Statistics (USCOTS), hosted by the Consortium for the Advancement of Undergraduate Statistics Education (CAUSE), will be held at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center May 16–18. This conference brings together teachers of statistics at all levels to exchange ideas and discover how to improve their teaching.

This year’s conference theme of “Evaluating Evidence” is inspired by recent ASA efforts to educate researchers, decision-makers, and the public about sound statistical practice for drawing inferences from data in the 21st century. This conference theme will embrace all aspects of evaluating evidence, including helping students to do the following:

• Understand the reasoning process of statistical inference
• Recognize appropriate interpretations
• and limitations of statistical inference
• Design studies to facilitate evaluating evidence
• Conduct research in a reproducible manner
• Consider alternatives to traditional methods for conducting inference
• Reflect on the role of inference in the context of big data and data science

The theme also refers to evaluating evidence about teaching effectiveness and student learning.

Confirmed plenary speakers for the conference are Ron Wasserstein of the American Statistical Association, Jane Watson of the University of Tasmania, John Kruschke of Indiana University, and Kari Lock Morgan of Penn State University.

Participants in interactive breakout sessions will discuss topics such as simulation-based inference, assessment strategies, teacher preparation, data science, and technology tools. Technology demonstrations by conference sponsors, engaging poster sessions, a conference banquet and awards ceremony, and 11 pre-conference workshops are also included with conference registration.

To ensure the workshops on teaching a modern inference curriculum reach the widest possible audience, the ASA will provide funding for instructors with financial need.

Statistics teachers at university, two-year college, and secondary levels will find USCOTS provides a welcoming, active, and fun environment. Participants will meet new colleagues and renew friendships with peers who are united by a common desire to teach students effectively to become the next generation of citizens and scholars.

Contact Allan Rossman, USCOTS program chair, or Dennis Pearl, CAUSE director, with questions.