Why take AP Statistics? Click on this link: AP STATISTICS FAQ

Course Expectations

Statistics is the science of collecting and analyzing data. In short, it is the study of how we use numbers in REAL LIFE to make important decisions. Decisions in the world of politics, business, medicine, education... etc. Although basic math skills are essential in this class, they are often secondary to being able to clearly communicate your methods and reasoning. Warning -- there will be plenty of reading and writing in this class.

AP Statistics is a college level class for students who have been highly successful in Algebra II (with Trig), Pre-Calculus or Calculus. It covers the topics needed for the College Board AP Statistics exam. Students passing this test may receive college credit. In today's world most statistical analysis is done on calculators or computers. Students will learn how to perform statistical analysis on a calculator in class.

Who Should Take This Class

Students with an interest in careers related to: STEM fields, business, the social sciences including psychology and education.

Materials

-Book: The Practice of Statistics

-Numworks calculator, all students MUST have one of their own. We use them every day. The NumWorks graphing calculator is included on the list of permitted calculators for all college board tests: PSAT, SAT, and AP Statistics and AP Calculus. It also meets the requirements of the ACT calculator policy.

-Folder/Three-ring binder, pen for grading, pencil and paper for assignments.

Communicating Through the Vocabulary of Statistics

This course is organized as an activity-based course where each day is setup with a short lecture and afterwards students will be engaged in the exploration of statistical relationships and realities. Because of this students will be asked to read on a daily basis to stay up to date on what we are learning. Communication is crucial to student achievement. Students will learn many statistical techniques and will be taught and required to communicate these in a variety of ways in the context of assignments, quizzes, tests, and discussions. As students become more proficient “statisticians,” they will learn to communicate their processes, analysis, results, findings, and conclusions using correct and effective statistics vocabulary. This idea of communication through statistics is one of the main goals of this course. Statistics are all around us and many people see them and recognize them, but truly being able to understand statistics, what they mean, and what they infer is what is most important. This course will teach students how to communicate these understandings in an organized and meaningful way.

Preparing for the AP Exam

Students will be prepared for the AP Exam as we move throughout the semester. Tests and quizzes will be modeled after the AP Exam. We will also look at past AP questions on a regular basis as we learn new topics. Each student will take a full length practice exam in preparation for the exam. We will also work in groups where students will solve extended response questions and then grade each others. In the groups students will discuss what they think should be included in a correct response and what each other were missing. This preparation step is crucial because students need to hear from each other and see what others are thinking as they work through problems.

Absences and Make-Up Work

Being in class every day is extremely important. The more you are in class, the more you will learn. Any work that is missed due to an absence must be made up in the same amount of days that you were absent. I do not chase students down to make up work, if you do not get it made up, you will receive a zero.

Grades

Assessments – 95%

Assignments – 5%

Makeup Tests for Absences

Any student who misses a test will take a makeup test that will occur three weeks after the original test date, giving you ample study time.

Retake Tests

There will only be ONE retake test per semester, with an opportunity to get up to 100% of the original score. This opportunity will be given the week before final exams. In order to retake the test, students MUST have completed and submitted all assignments for that chapter.

Assignments

Work is assigned every day, and must be completed and submitted online by 8:30am of the following class meeting. We will discuss the solutions at the start of the next class. It is of utmost importance for everyone to arrive on time in order to review the solutions and make corrections for resubmissions (to get full credit). Late work will get 50% credit. Uncorrected work will also receive 50% credit. No assignment turned in, or incomplete assignments will receive a zero. The ability to submit assignments will close on the date of that chapter exam.

AP Statistics Course At-A-Glance