• AP Statistics

    Course Policies for 2021/22

     

    Teacher:          Paul Perniciaro          E-mail:   paul.perniciaro@slps.org

     

    Office:            Room 215                   Office Hours:     9:00-10:15  M-T-Th-F 

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    Course Overview:

    - Curriculum for this course follows the AP Statistics curriculum set by the College Board and is designed to prepare students for the AP Statistics exam in May. This syllabus is adapted from the course description given by the College Board. The full course description can be found on my Metro website and should be read through completely.

    - The purpose of the AP course in statistics is to introduce students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. This course draws connections between all aspects of the statistical process, including design, analysis, and conclusions. Additionally, using the vocabulary of statistics this course will teach students how to communicate statistical methods, results and interpretations.

    -During this course, the student will be exposed to four broad conceptual themes and will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in:

    • Exploring Data: Describing patterns and departures from patterns

    • Sampling and Experimentation: Planning and conducting a study

    • Anticipating Patterns: Exploring random phenomena using probability and simulation

    • Statistical Inference: Estimating population parameters and testing hypotheses.

     

    -Each student will have access to a graphing calculator in class.  At home and while studying outside of class there a few other options.

    -Download a free emulator on your computer/laptop through this link:  wabbitemu.  Here is a video link if help is needed installing wabbitemu install video.

    -For iOS (apple phones and tablets) there is a actual TI-84 emulator found in the AppStore.

    -For Andriod devices, there is a free emulator through the Google Play store called wabbitemu which I believe is free.

    Owning a personal graphing calculator is preferable and will be useful throughout and beyond high school as well.  If buying I would steer towards a TI-84 or TInspire, as those are the models most used in college.  Please research for the best fit, and I have resources and some working knowledge of a few models.

     

    - Most of the course material and homework sets will be placed on my personal SLPS website and also on Teams, both found by going to Metro’s website and clicking on faculty and then my name.

     

    Timeline

    Beginning each unit you will receive a syllabus with a detailed timeline including homework problems assigned and quiz/test dates.

    Semester 1                                                                             Semester 2

    Unit 1 Designing Studies and Experiments

    Unit 5 Unit 5 Normal and Sampling Distributions

    Unit 2 Descriptive Statistics

    Unit 6 Inference with Proportions

    Unit 3 Linear Regression

    Unit 7 Inference with Means

    Unit 4 Probability

    Unit 8 Chi-Squared and Inference for Slope

     

     

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    Grading  Procedures:

    Percentage

    Letter Grade

    89.50-100.00%

    A

    79.50-89.49%

    B

    69.5-79.49%

    C

    Below 69.49%

    F

    Grades are cumulative over an entire semester.  The final percentage seen in Tyler SIS360 is a running account of all grades entered.  The final semester grade is based on the following weighted system.                                       

    Homework                  10%                            

    Quizzes/Classwork     35%                            

    Unit Exams                 45%                                                                                 

                Semester Exam           10%

    Plenty of opportunity is given in the form of extra credit and benefits to assist grades.  Tyler SIS360 is set to round grades up from the hundredths decimal place.  For example an 89.50% to 100.00% will be an A.  An 89.49% is a B+.  Please do not ask me to “bump” grades up at the end of a semester.  I will not do it.

     

    1.  Homework (10%).   In each section of our text, you will be given a listing of problems that I feel are important to your understanding of the material.  Homework will usually but not always be graded on completion.  Homework is due the next class period after being assigned unless otherwise noted. Late homework WILL be accepted at 10% deduction per day beyond deductions for accuracy/completion Corresponding to our class notes and the supplemental text, you will be given a listing of problems that I feel are important to your understanding of the material.  The homework will come in two varieties:  Worksheet and AP Classroom Assignments. 

    -The Worksheet assignments are due the class following the day assigned.

    -The Worksheet assignments are mandatory and will carry a 10-point grade based on a combination of accuracy/completion. 

    -The AP Classroom assignments are due the day of the unit test.

    -The AP Classroom assignments are mandatory and will carry a 10-point grade based on a combination of accuracy/completion

    -Late homework WILL be accepted at 10% deduction per day beyond deductions for accuracy/completion.

    -All late homework work must be turned in for each unit by the test day to receive any credit.

     

     

    2.  Section Quizzes (35%).  Almost every day and after every section, you will take a short quiz that covers the material presented the day (or two) before. 

    If you are absent on the day of a quiz or any day where material was presented that appears on a quiz, you will have to make arrangements to make that quiz up during office hours.  You will have an equal number of days to make up the quiz that you were absent. It is strongly suggested you don’t make-up a quiz during class time. If you elect to make up a quiz during class, you are still responsible for the material presented that day.

    Failure to make up a quiz in the time allotted will result in a zero.

     

    3.  Unit Exams (45%).  At the conclusion of each unit we will have an exam.  Each exam will be worth 36 points and later scaled to 100 points.  The exams will be a combination of multiple choice and multi-part free response questions.  

    Section 1:  18  Multiple Choice - Each problem is worth 1 point each.       18 points total.

    Section 2:  2-4 Free Response – Each problem is worth 9 points.            18 points total.

     There is no penalty for guessing on the Multiple Choice sections.

     

    One of the formulae used to calculate your percentage for a unit exam will look like this:

    For composite scores 6 and above:

    Composite score (out of 36) x 1.38 + 50 =  Percentage out of 100

                                                                    

     For composite scores below 6:  5 = 45%,   4 = 40%,   3 = 30%,    2 = 20%,   1 = 10%,     0 = 0%

                                                          

    If you are unable to take the Unit Exam due to absence (either the day of the exam or a day prior), the make-up policy is the same as with quizzes.  The make-up exam will typically NOT be the same as the original exam.

     

    4. Semester Exams (10%)  At the end of the first and second semesters, there will be a cumulative and comprehensive exam to test your knowledge and practice for the AP Exam.

     

    5. Unit Exam Retakes.  Anyone may retake one exam a school year. Retesting material and fixing mistakes is essential to learning.  The higher of the two scores will be the final mark. You will only receive these extra points if you follow these five steps:

    1. Correct all marked problems during review after receiving test back.
    2. Complete a retake packet.
    3. Take advantage of tutoring sessions for guided practice and filling knowledge gaps.
    4. Set up an appointment for a retake within two weeks of receiving test back.
    5. Re-take the test.

    Note:  The semester exams are not eligible for retake. 

     

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    Classroom Rules and Important Information

    • Respect.   Respect all others at all times.  Pay attention when I am addressing the class and while another student is addressing the class.
    • Participation. Be on time, stay the whole period, be alert and attentive, ask questions and let me occasionally hear your voice.
    • Be Prepared.  You each will be given a Timeline/Assignment Guide outlining everything that we will do throughout the unit.  Follow it.  Don't get behind.  Listen to the lectures.  Take notes.
    • Be Here.  Limit your absences and tardies to an absolute minimum.  Getting behind in AP Statistics is not an enjoyable experience.  Ask for help, from myself, from classmates, from a tutor, just get help and keep working hard.
    • Attendance/Tardiness I will take attendance as soon as class period starts.  If you are late please come with a valid note.  Chronic tardiness will be progressively handled in the following manner for each semester:

                            3 tardies-conversation with student

                            4 tardies-notification to parents

    5 tardies or more-reference to the office and loss of test retake privileges

    • Progress Reports.  You can easily check your grades online through Tyler SIS360 at any time.  I am pretty quick about entering homework and quiz grades.  Exam grades may take an extra day or two.  If you happen to need a printout of your grade report, let me know in person or by e-mail and I can have one prepared for you.  The best way to check your grade is logging on to Tyler SIS360.
    • Laptops/Cell Phones.  Cell phone usage is becoming a greater problem each year and I have seen it virtually destroy a students’ opportunity to learn.  Once the class period starts, your phones (and other like devices) are to be put out of arm’s reach.
    • Digital Footprint.  Digital networking will be a valuable tool and resource we will all share.  Please keep all posts, suggestions, comments, images, and advice given on our sites friendly, appropriate, and on-topic. --Violation of this policy will result in being uninvited to the group.
    • Absences and Make-Up Lectures.    If you are absent or know you will be absent in the future, I strongly encourage you to seek internet resources to familiarize yourself with the missed topic.  Youtube is a fantastic resource – all you need to do is enter the concept name in the search field.
    • Study Groups.  I cannot emphasize enough the benefit of getting together with a small group on a regular basis and working together on Statistics homework.  You will find that if you are struggling with the concepts and truly use this opportunity wisely, that it can be very beneficial.
    • AP Exam.  On Tuesday, May 7th , 2024 at 12:00 you will all be taking the Advanced Placement Statistics Exam.  By performing well on this exam you will have the opportunity to test out of math completely at the college level or to take an advanced course earlier.  The district covers the cost as long as you take the test.  A score of 3 is passing and will be accepted for credit at many colleges. A score of 4 (which is approximately 60% of the problems answered correctly) will get you credit virtually at any college or university.

     

     

    Honesty and Academic Integrity:

    -Metro has extremely high regard for academic integrity and, as such, has zero tolerance for any and all forms of academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to, all forms of cheating on any assessments, essays, or assignments (copying, taking pictures, group chats with answers, etc.), plagiarism, and any other unethical academic behavior.

    -Any student in violation will receive no credit (zero/F letter grade), a family meeting will be scheduled, and a notation of the violation will be in the student’s school record.

    -The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as Chat GPT, has the potential for misuse and often borders on plagiarism. At Metro, we utilize Turnitin to disrupt plagiarism and ensure the integrity of ALL student work. If it is deemed that a student has used any AI tool to complete an assignment, the student will receive no credit (zero/F letter grade), a family meeting will be scheduled, as well as a notation of the violation in the student’s school record.

    -Any academic dishonesty violation will affect recommendations written by the school for any student applying for post-secondary institutions, scholarships, and other educational programs.

    -Please note that it is cheating to seek out answers or unfair advantages before tests. It is also cheating to share any information about a test to someone who has not yet taken the exam.  Violation of these policies will result in immediate failure of the test and loss of retake privileges.

     

    Final Thoughts.  Throughout the year, you will go through a whole world of emotions with AP Statistics.  You will experience joy, frustration, anger, humiliation, etc.  The only thing that I ask of you all is that you focus on the LEARNING that’s taking place – not so much the grades.  Allow the grades to take care of themselves.  This class can be a fun and rewarding experience – even if you don’t consider yourself a natural STEM student.   You have a much larger goal in this class – and that is how prepared you can become from now until May 7th, 2023 – the day of the AP Statistics Exam.