COURSE DESCRIPTION:           

AP Statistics is the high school equivalent of a one semester, introductory college statistics course. In this course, students develop strategies for collecting, organizing, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data.  Students design, administer, and tabulate results from surveys and experiments. Probability and simulations aid students in constructing models for chance phenomena. Sampling distributions provide the logical structure for confidence intervals and hypothesis tests.  Students use a TI-83/84 graphing calculator, computer print out, and Web-based java applets to investigate statistical concepts.

COURSE GOALS:

In AP Statistics, students are expected to learn

Skills

• Students will gain proficiency on accuracy and communication of statistical concepts throughout the course, to include effectively communicating how methods, results and interpretations of data for any given experiment are valid. They will learn that writing complete responses, using appropriate justifications, is a critical aspect of gaining statistical proficiency. This is emphasized on all homework assignments, write-ups from activities, investigations and experiments, and especially on student assessments. One method I use to enhance these skills is having students grade each other’s responses on released free-response questions. Class time is spent discussing how to grade using a rubric and helping students learn what constitutes an effective response.

• When and how to use technology to aid them in solving statistical problems. On most assignments, quizzes, and exams, students are expected to use an appropriate graphing calculator. I use TI Smartview for class demonstrations.

Knowledge

• Essential techniques for producing data (surveys, experiments, observational studies, simulations), analyzing data (graphical & numerical summaries), modeling data (probability, random variables, sampling distributions), and drawing conclusions from data (inference procedures – confidence intervals and significance tests)

Habits of mind

• To become critical consumers of published statistical results by heightening their awareness of ways in which statistics can be improperly used to mislead, confuse, or distort the truth.

Course Text:

The Practice of Statistics (3^rd edition), by Yates, Moore, and Starnes, W. H. Freeman & Co., 2008. ISBN: 0-7167-7309-0

Course MATERIALS:

~       A graphing calculator (TI- 83, TI- 83 Plus, TI-84 Plus, TI-84 Plus silver edition, or TI NSpire with TI-84 attachment)

~     Pencil and eraser

~    System of keeping notes (notebook, binder, etc)

Course EXPECTATIONS:

ü      BE RESPECTFUL

• Clean language
• No put downs
• Clean/ safe room
• Take turns
• Cell phone/ MP3 player turned off

ü      be prepared

• Homework done
• Paper and pencil
• Sitting in assigned seat
• On task

ü      Be HERE

• Physically in seat
• Mentally engaged
• Putting forth best effort