To get the greatest business value from Big Data, companies are looking for multi-skilled experts who understand programming, large-scale mathematics, statistics and business.

FORBES: Big Data Needs Data Scientists, Or Quants, Or Excel Jockeys

The challenge with Big Data is that it includes everything from hardware, through operating system, databases, analytics and business intelligence technologies, visualization software, post-graduate level mathematics and statistics, and innovative approaches to business and social problems.

FORBES: A Mind Blowing Big Data Experience: Notes From Strata 2013

Dr. GROVER WHITEHURST (Acting Commissioner, National Center for Education Statistics): In mathematics, we see an increase in the percentage of fourth-graders performing at or above proficient for all five of the nation's major racial ethnic groups.

NPR: Mixed Report Card for U.S. Schools