AP Statistics

Fall 2019
Instructor Email Website
Mr. Dustin Kinser dustin.kinser@cobbk12.org dustinkinser@weebly.com

General Information
Description
It is my hope that you will find this to be one of the most useful math courses that you have ever
taken. Statistics are practical for life and numerous professions. This is an AP course, so it will be
rigorous but manageable. Students are strongly encouraged to take the AP test in mid-May.
Assessments given in class will be consistent with the type of questions on the AP test.

Course Content
From the College Board website:
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. Students are exposed to four broad
conceptual themes:
1. Exploring Data: Describing patterns and departures from patterns
2. Sampling and Experimentation: Planning and conducting a study
3. Anticipating Patterns: Exploring random phenomena using probability and simulation
4. Statistical Inference: Estimating population parameters and testing hypotheses

In our language:
1. Look at data to discover trends and deviations from trends
2. Learn how to conduct a study, including appropriate sampling techniques
3. Predict the future using probability
4. Make educated decisions and conclusions using the data

Tests / Quizzes
Quizzes will be given periodically and will USUALLY be announced. They are to let you (as well as I)
know where you are doing well and where you need extra help. Tests are much more comprehensive
and will mirror the type of questions you will see on the AP exam. Most tests will be a combination of
Multiple Choice and Free Response. They are designed to be challenging and reflect the work that you
have been doing in class and for homework. If a test is missed it can be made up before or after
school. A grade of 0 will be given until the test is made up.

Free Response Questions

Free response questions are essential to doing well in statistics. You will be expected to complete two
each unit. They will be completed in class, usually the day before the unit test. They will be timed
and I will use the college board rubric to grade. Therefore, you will have to know your stuff to get an
A. The goal is to get you very comfortable with these types of questions.

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Homework
This is a college level course. Homework will be assigned often. During the first unit homework will
be turned in by EVERYONE the day of the test. If you can maintain an average of at least an 85 after
the first test, you will be exempt from turning in homework. If your average gets below an 85 you
must turn in homework again. The cutoff time to see if you must do homework is the beginning of
each chapter, once previous chapter grades are in synergy.

Projects
Statistical projects or studies are an important component of learning statistics. Expect one or two
projects this semester.

Grades
Formative 10% Free Response Questions
10% Projects / Homework
Summative
50% Tests
10% Quizzes
20% Final

Materials Required
Notebooks
You have all been very successful in mathematics thus far, but this course will be a little different. It
will involve much more reading and writing. There will be guided notes on the calendar. These are to
be used when reading the chapters on your own. They will give you an idea of the most important
topics. We generally will no fill in the guided notes in class. Class will be used for simulations,
working problems and examples. The notes from chapter readings are for you to do no your own.
Students who fall behind almost always have ignored the readings and homework.

College Board Account

You will need to create a personal College Board Account. There will be resources on there that are
assigned this semester. There will also be review materials that you can use to practice and review
for the AP Statistics Exam. Follow the link below and write down your username and password.

https://cbaccount.collegeboard.org/iamweb/smartRegister?appId=292&DU
RL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.collegeboard.org%2F
Calculator Required
TI-83 or TI-84
A TI-84 would be best but either can work for what we need. A TI-89 or NSpire will work but not as
easily.

Textbook
The Practice of Statistics, 4th edition by Starnes, Yates, Moore; 2011 by W.H. Freeman and Company

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