Las Vegas High School
Course Expectations
2012-2013
Course Expectations
AP Statistics
Instructor: Miss Hartman
LVHS Room 321
Phone: (702) 799-0180
Email: DMHartman@interact.ccsd.net
School Website Address : lvwildcats.com
Course Scope:
This one-year Advanced Placement course is intended for students who are preparing for further
study in disciplines requiring statistical course work. This course includes describing patterns in
data and departures from patterns, planning and conducting a statistical study, exploring random
phenomena using probability and simulation, estimating population parameters, and testing
statistical hypotheses. Instructional practices incorporate integration of diversity awareness
including appreciation of all cultures and their important contributions to society. The use of
technology, including calculators and computer software, is an integral part of this course. This
course is intended to prepare students for taking the Advanced Placement Examination in
Statistics. This course will fulfill one of the mathematics credits required for high school
graduation.
Course Goals:
1.
To understand and use the basic vocabulary and notation of probability and statistics.
[NS: B]
2.
To summarize sets of univariate and bivariate data by center, variability, shape,
location, and unusual features. [NS: 2.12.6, 4.12.5, 5.12.2, 5.12.3]
3.
To construct and analyze sets of data, tables, and graphs using statistical techniques.
[NS: 5.12.1, 5.12.3, 5.12.5, 5.12.6]
4.
To design and conduct unbiased experiments and surveys. [NS: 3.12.2, 5.12.3, 5.12.6]
5.
To use results of simulations to represent or predict events and compare experimental
results with mathematical expectations. [NS: 5.12.4, 5.12.5]
6.
To describe the characteristics of probability distributions for random variables.
[NS: 5.12.3, 5.12.4, 5.12.5]
7.
To study binomial, geometric, Normal, Student’s t, and Chi-square distributions.
[NS: 5.12.3, 5.12.4, 5.12.5]
8.
To draw conclusions from data using statistical inference procedures, including
confidence intervals and hypothesis tests. [NS: 4.12.9, 5.12.3, 5.12.6]
Las Vegas High School
Page: 1
9.
To gain proficiency in analyzing data using statistical software packages and graphing
calculator technology. [NS: B, 5.12.1, 5.12.2, 5.12.4, 5.12.6]
10.
To develop the ability to reason and communicate mathematically in order to apply
learned concepts to new problem-solving situations. [NS: A, B, C, D, 4.12.9]
11.
To develop an appreciation of statistics as a field of study applicable to multiple
disciplines and be prepared to take the College Board Advanced Placement examination
in Statistics at the conclusion of their studies. [NS: A, B, C, D]
Textbook
Stats Modeling the World by Bock, Velleman, and DeVeaux, 2nd edition, 2007
Student Supplies
Students are expected to have and maintain the following supplies all year:
 TI-84 graphing calculators are available for each student in class, however,
owning a TI-83/TI- 84 or TI- inspire is highly recommended and will be useful in
future Mathematics courses.
 A 3-ring binder with college-lined paper and dividers
 Pencils and erasers
The AP Exam
The test is offered to all high school students who are interested in earning college credit for
this course. It is highly recommended that every student takes this test. There is a fee of
$89. Fund-raising or assistance will be handled on an individual basis. The test will be on
Friday, May 10, 2013. More information will be forwarded as the year progresses.
Technology
Students extensively use the TI-83 and TI-84 families of calculators. Time is spent
instructing and practicing in the use of technology. Students are expected to use the
calculator at a mastery level when it pertains to using data lists, creating visual displays,
finding best-fit equations and residuals, and using the calculator to make quick
calculations during probability and inference units of study. Minitab output is also
interpreted and used as it pertains to linear regression.
Hours of Availability:
I will be available, upon request, before school (6:45am-7:00am), during second lunch, 3rd
period Guidance, and after school (1:25pm-2:00pm) provided I do not have any prior
commitments (i.e. meetings). Also, you may schedule an appointment if you aren’t able to
meet at these times.
Tardy Policy
Tardiness is a serious disruption to the educational program. Every student is required to
be in his/her seat when the tardy bell rings and understands that the Las Vegas High
School Tardy Policy will be strictly enforced. For each semester:
o First tardy, the student will be warned;
o Second tardy, the parent will be contacted;
o Third tardy, a thirty-minute teacher detention will be assigned;
o All subsequent tardies will result in a referral to the deans’ office.
Las Vegas High School
Page: 2
(Important to remember that more than two tardies in one semester will eliminate
you from the 2-2-2.)
Citizenship grades will be determined by each student's ability to make good choices
regarding respect and responsibility as determined by school and classroom rules and
procedures. There are four possible categories of citizenship as follows:
O – Outstanding, S – Satisfactory, N – Needs Improvement, U – Unsatisfactory
O= Outstanding: Student is always on time and prepared for class. Student always participates
in class and is always courteous and respectful to the teacher and others. Student always
completes assignments on time and always follows classroom procedures correctly. Student is
never a discipline problem, and has never received detention or referrals in class.
S= Satisfactory: Student is almost always on time and prepared for class. Student almost
always participates in class and is almost always courteous and respectful to the teacher and
others. Student almost always completes assignments on time and almost always follows
classroom procedures correctly. Student has never received detention or referrals in class.
N= Needs Improvement: Student is occasionally late and unprepared for class. Student usually
participates in class and is usually courteous and respectful to the teacher and others. Student
occasionally turns in late assignments, or not at all. Student occasionally ignores classroom
rules and procedures. Student is occasionally a discipline problem, and has received detention or
other disciplinary action in class.
U= Unsatisfactory: Student is frequently late and unprepared for class. Student rarely
participates in class, and is rarely courteous and respectful to the teacher and others. Student
rarely completes assignments on time and rarely follows classroom procedures correctly. Student
is frequently a discipline problem, and has received detention or referrals in class.
Academic Expectations
Students are expected to complete all assignments. It is impossible for a teacher to
measure student mastery without the completion of assignments and missing assignments
hinders the success of all students. Therefore, Las Vegas High School has implemented a
strict assignment policy and all teachers are required to follow the policy. This policy will
result in an extension of the school day (Academic Opportunity Period), when the student
fails to complete any assignment.
Description of Grading Procedures:
Standards of Preparation: All papers turned in must be legible (I can clearly read your
work), with attention paid to correct spelling and grammar. Technical writing will be a
major component of most assignments and assessments, so “text talk” will not be allowed
inside the classroom.
Early Work: Every morning there will be an early work question to be answered within the
first five minutes of class.
Class Participation: This is an activities based class. There will be many in- class
activities including hands on projects, demonstrations, discussions, labs, etc., in which
students are expected to participate. Poor attendance will make it difficult to succeed in
this class. Participation points will be awarded to students who actively participate in
discussions, activities, etc. NO POINTS will be awarded to students who sleep, visit,
complete work for other classes, etc. during class.
Classwork: Classwork will be given regularly and will be due by the end of class. If
classwork is incomplete at the end of class, it may become a homework assignment, to be
turned in the following day.
Las Vegas High School
Page: 3
Reading Assignments: Students will be expected to read the textbook and complete
chapter outlines, as this is crucial for understanding in-class discussions and activities.
Writing Assignments: Writing assignments will be given at least once within each unit.
They may be given as individual assignments, or incorporated into unit tests.
Vocabulary: Vocabulary is an integral part of this course, and each chapter introduces
many new terms that students must know throughout the entire year. Students are
expected to write vocabulary for each chapter. One suggestion is to create flash cards they
can utilize throughout the duration of the course.
Homework: Homework is assigned most days and necessary to solidify the learning from
class. It also prepares the student for discussions, activities and assessments.
Projects: Each semester a major project will be assigned. This project will count as a test
and will require a poster and oral presentation. More details on the projects will be given
during the semester.
FRAPPY’S: Free Response AP Problems (YAY!) are timed free response questions from
previous AP exams. Students are taught the requirements of the rubric and often become
involved in the grading to enhance their understanding of the rigor required and the
common pitfalls due to weak vocabulary and unclear procedure description.
Quizzes: Each week, there will be none to three quizzes [5-20 points each]. Some quizzes
will be announced and some will be no-notice [pop quiz].
Tests: All unit tests are designed by the teacher in an AP format including multiple-choice
questions and free response questions requiring conclusions in context. All exams will be
announced.
Evaluation and Grading System:
Level of Mastery:
90% - 100% Accuracy =A
80% - 89% Accuracy =B
70% - 79% Accuracy =C
60% - 69% Accuracy =D
Below 60% Accuracy =F
Semester Grades:
45% Quarter 1/3 Grade
45% Quarter 2/4 Grade
10% Semester Examination
Quarter Grades:
80% of overall grade: Assessments (Tests, Quizzes, Projects, Vocabulary, FRAPPY’S)
20% of overall grade: Classwork/Homework/Class Participation
Make-up Work, Late Work, and Attendance
Make-up procedures: It is the students' responsibility to obtain make-up work within 3
days upon returning from any absence. The student will also have another 3 days to
complete the assignment. If the student did not receive the assignment in advance, has
difficulties with it, missed school for an extended period, or has other extenuating
circumstances, the student must speak with me about how long is needed to catch up.
Late work procedures: Late work is not accepted after the unit assessment.
[Exception is when the student had an extended absence or absence within three days of
the Unit Assessment.] If it is turned in after the Unit Assessment, it will not be graded.
Re-Take Procedures: If students want to re-take an assessment, they must do it outside of
class. All assignments must be completed prior to retakes.
We DO NOT allow missing assignments at Las Vegas High School so if you do
not complete an assignment, you will be assigned to Academic Opportunity Period.
Las Vegas High School
Page: 4
Attendance
Attendance is required for students to experience maximum academic growth. After the
seventh unexcused absence the student will be referred to the deans’ office and a
conference will be scheduled with the parent. After the tenth unexcused absence, the
student will lose credit for the course. A student more than thirty (30) minutes late shall be
counted absent. Remember, to earn 2-2-2 you can only have a total of two absences.
Classroom Behavior Expectations:
Consequences/ Rewards:
The 3 R’s
Progressive Discipline Plan

1st occurrence: friendly chat


Readiness:
Be prepared with pencil, paper, any
assignments due, and a positive attitude
Responsibility:
Follow all school and classroom rules, take
ownership of grade, make smart choices
Respect:
Treat others as you want to be treated
2nd occurrence: 15 minute detention
3rd occurrence: 30 minute detention
4th occurrence: parent/coach contact
5th occurrence: Dean’s referral
Rewards
Free time, Positive parent contact,
Participation in activities, Privilege passes
Discipline Plan: Classroom expectations are in place to provide a positive working
environment for all students. Discipline should come from the student. When that fails, I
will follow the above progressive discipline plan. However, steps may be skipped depending
on the severity of the situation.
Tardies: All tardy students will sign the Tardy Sign-In Roster by the door, without
disturbing the class; move quietly into the assigned seat; and talk to me after class (if
necessary). Tardies take time away from everyone and are not tolerated. Unexcused
tardies will be handled per school tardy policy.
Food/Gum/Drinks: Closed containers, and snacks without smell will be allowed in the
classroom. Students bringing them into the classroom will be doing so under the
assumption that if they spill it, they clean it.
Cell Phones/Electronics: Cell phones and electronic devices are NOT allowed in any
classroom at Las Vegas High School. If I see ear buds, ipods, cell phones, etc., I will take
them.
Hall Passes: Students are expected to take care of personal business before and after
school, at lunch, and during passing periods. This includes using the restroom, personal
grooming and going to a locker. Passes will only be given during individual work or group
work, at my discretion. Emergencies requiring a hall pass will be handled on a case-bycase basis.
Dress Code: Violators will correct the situation, or be sent to the dean's office. This applies
to young men as well as young women.
Care of School Property: School property and the property of others must be respected at
all times. No students will use or handle school materials without permission. Class set
materials will be treated with care and returned at the end of the class. The desk and
classroom will be left in a clean condition at the end of the class period.
Cheating/Fraud: This is not tolerated. Cheating will result in the loss of test/quiz points
and the entire week’s participation points. Second offenses require a dean’s referral.
Las Vegas High School
Page: 5
Course Outline
Unit in Book
1) Exploring and Understanding Data
o Displaying & Describing
Categorical Data
o Displaying Quantitative Data
o Describing Distributions
Numerically
o The Standard Deviation as Ruler
and the Normal Model
2) Exploring Relationships Between
Variables
o Scatterplots, Association, and
Correlation
o Linear Regression
o Regression Wisdom
o Modeling Curved Relationships
3) Gathering Data
o Understanding Randomness
o Sample Surveys
o Experiments
o Project: (Data Collections and
Analysis)
4) Randomness and Probability
o From Randomness to Probability
o Probability Rules
o Randomness Variables
o Probability Models
5) From the Data at Hand to the World
at Large
o Sample Distribution Models
o Confidence Intervals for
Proportions
o Testing Hypothesis about
Proportions
o More About Tests
o Comparing Two Proportions
6) Learning About the World
o Inferences about Means
o Comparing Means
o Paired Samples and Blocks
7) Inferences When Variables Are
Related
o Comparing Counts
o Inferences for Regression
o Analysis of Variance
o Multiple Regression
Las Vegas High School
Topics Covered (linked to AP Collegeboard
Statistics Course Description)
I. Exploring Data
A. Constructing and interpreting graphical
displays of distributions of univariate data
B. Summarizing distributions of univariate data
C. Comparing distributions of univariate data
E. Exploring categorical data
III. Anticipating Patterns
C. The normal distribution
I. Exploring Data
D. Exploring bivariate data
II. Sampling and Experimentation
A. Overview of methods of data collection
B. Planning and conducting surveys
C. Planning and conducting experiments
D. Generalizability of results and types of
conclusions that can be drawn from studies,
experiments, and surveys
III. Anticipating Patterns
A. Probability
B. Combining independent random variables
III. Anticipating Patterns
C. Sampling Distributions
IV. Statistical Inference
A. Estimation
(Sections 1-5)
B. Tests of significance
(Sections 1-3)
IV. Statistical Inference
A. Estimation
(Sections 6-7)
B. Tests of significance
(Sections 4-5)
IV. Statistical Inference
A. Estimation
(Section 8)
B. Tests of significance
(Sections 6-7)
Page: 6
Please complete this page, remove from packet and return to
the teacher by September 7, 2012.
Acknowledgement of Course Expectations
AP STATISTICS
We have read and discussed the course description and expectations.
________________________________
Student’s Name [last, first]
________________________________
Student’s Signature
________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name
________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
________________________________
Home phone
________________________________
Work/Cell phone
Email Address: _____________________________________________________
As a parent, I understand that that following are requirements to ensure I am
taking an active role in my child’s education:
o Support the school’s policies and procedures (assignments; behavior; tardies;
attendance; etc.) as they have all been put into place to ensure the success of your
child.
o Check ParentLink at least weekly to monitor child’s progress
o Attend important meetings and various events/activities that are held throughout
the year
o Engage in ongoing conversations with the school, as we too want to ensure your
child is successful
o Visit lvwildcats.com regularly for important information and messages.
If concerns arise about your child, socially or academically, please contact the counseling
office at 799-0180 x4300 to speak to or make an appointment with your child’s counselor.
Las Vegas High School
Page: 7