AP Statistics 2011-2012
Instructor: April Cruz
Room: 226
Phone: 239-369-2932 ext.1226
Email: aprildc@leeschools.net
URL: http//:deriverswanted.wikispaces.com
AP Exam Date: Wednesday, May 16, 2012
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, statistical software,
and Web-based java applets to investigate statistical concepts. To develop effective statistical communication
skills, students are required to prepare frequent written and oral analyses of real data. Reading and writing are
key elements to success in this course.
Course Goals:
In AP Statistics, students are expected to learn
Skills

To produce convincing oral and written statistical arguments, using appropriate terminology, in a
variety of applied settings.

When and how to use technology to aid them in solving statistical problems
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 Outline:
Text: The Practice of Statistics (3rd edition), by Yates, Moore, and Starnes, W. H. Freeman & Co., 2008.
(referred to below as TPS) ISBN: 0-7167-7309-0
Part I: Analyzing Data: Looking for Patterns and Departures from Patterns
Chapter 1
Exploring Data
Chapter 2
Describing Location in a Distribution
Chapter 3
Examining Relations
Chapter 4
More about Relationships between Two Variables
1.1 Displaying Distributions with Graphs
1.2 Describing Distributions with Numbers
2.1 Measures of Relative Standing and Density Curves
2.2 Normal Distributions
3.1 Scatterplots and Correlation
3.2 Least-Square Regression
3.3 Correlation and Regression Wisdom
4.1 Transforming to Achieve Linearity
4.2 Relationships between Categorical Variables
4.3 Establishing Causation
Part II: Producing Data: Surveys, Observational Studies, and Experiments
Chapter 5
Producing Data
5.1 Designing Samples
5.2 Designing Experiments
Part III: Probability and Random Variables – Foundations for Inference
Chapter 6
Probability and Simulation:
The Study of Randomness
Chapter 7
Random Variables
Chapter 8
The Binomial and Geometric Distributions
6.1
6.2
6.3
7.1
7.2
8.1
8.2
9.1
9.2
9.3
Chapter 9
Sampling Distributions
Simulation
Probability Models
General Probability Rules
Discrete and Continuous Random Variables
Means and Variances of Random Variables
The Binomial Distributions
The Geometric Distributions
Sampling Distributions
Sample Proportions
Sample Means
Part IV: Inference – Conclusions with Confidence
Chapter 10
Estimating with Confidence
Chapter 11
Testing a Claim
Chapter 12
Significance Tests in Practice
Chapter 13
Comparing Two Population Parameters
Chapter 14
Inference for Distributions of Categorical Values:
Chi-Square Procedures
10.1
10.2
10.3
11.1
11.2
11.3
11.4
12.1
12.2
13.1
13.2
Confidence Intervals: The Basics
Estimating a Population Mean
Estimating a Population Proportion
Significance Tests: The Basics
Carrying Out Significance Tests
Use and Abuse of Tests
Using Inference to Make Decisions
Tests about a Population Mean
Tests about a Population Proportion
Comparing Two Means
Comparing Two Proportions
14.1 Test of Goodness of Fit
14.2 Inference for Two-Way Tables
Review and Preparation for AP Exam
Students are given a mock test prior to the exam. The tests are scored and analyzed by using the AP Scoring
Guidelines posted on the College Board website.
Post AP Exam
Final Project – identify a research question, design a study to collect data on that question, analyze the data,
and answer the question using an appropriate form of inference. A rubric will be provided.
Teaching Strategies
∞
Lessons are designed using around the acronym, TAPS, where students will experience instruction via
the total group, working alone, working in pairs, and working in small groups
∞
Differentiated strategies are utilized for mastery learning.
∞
Each lesson begins with a brief quiz over the previous night’s homework.
∞
Quizzes may consist of rote homework type questions and/or AP sample test questions.
∞
Tests consist of mainly AP sample test questions.
∞
Homework assignments include a variety of tasks. Reading and problems from the textbook are
expected to be completed daily, as well as frequent postings onto our class wikispace.
∞
Major projects require research and written solutions and explanations, allowing students to show
deeper understanding using alternative assessments.
∞
The midterm and final exam consists of problems from previous AP exams.
Student Evaluation
Summative Items (50%)
∞
Consists of unit tests, cumulative exams, and comprehensive projects.
∞
Students must be thorough with all work and explanations in order to receive full credit.
∞
Summative assessments are announced in advance.
Formative Items (50%)
∞
30% consists of quizzes and 20% consists of homework, class-work, projects, and participation.
∞
Homework and class-work are graded for completion and quizzes are graded for accuracy.
∞
No credit will be given for problems that do not show all explanations and calculations necessary to
determine an answer.
Grading Scale
A
90 – 100
B
80 – 89
C
70 – 79
D
60 – 69
F
0 – 59