Course Description

AP Statistics provides a systematic development of the concepts, principles, and tools of statistics with an emphasis on inquiry and critical-thinking skills associated with the collection, representation, analysis, and drawing conclusions from authentic data. Topics of study include data investigation, designing and conducting studies, anticipating patterns using probability and simulations, and statistical inference. Technology is a central component of the course and includes the use of graphing calculators, computers, and data analysis software. On a regular basis, graphing calculators and computers are used to explore, discover, and reinforce concepts of statistics and probability.

Though our system has an open enrollment policy, students should understand that this course is designed to be a fourth-year mathematics course, and the equivalent of an introductory, one-semester, non-calculus-based, college-level statistics course. The course requires a working knowledge of Algebra II, and quantitative reasoning. The breadth, pace, and depth of material covered exceeds the standard high school mathematics course, as does the college-level textbook, and time and effort required of students. This course provides the statistics foundation for college majors in social sciences, health sciences, and business, and serves as the preparation for an upper-level, calculus-based statistics course for majors in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics. Students are expected to take the AP Statistics Exam at the end of this course.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of AP Statistics, students should be able to:

• Develop statistical thinking based on a conceptual understanding of major topics and tools of data collection, representation, analysis, inference, and conclusions.
• Analyze and interpret data from graphical displays and numerical distribution summaries, and justify conclusions.
• Employ the language and symbols of statistics, and effectively communicate the formulation of questions, data collection methods and displays, interpretation of statistical analysis, and evaluation of inferences and predictions based on the data.
• Use probability as a tool to predict how the distribution of data is related to an appropriate mathematical model.
• Develop an understanding of statistical inference through the use of confidence intervals and tests of significance.
• Use graphing calculators and computers in the exploration, statistical analysis, simulation, and modeling of data.
• Make sense of and evaluate the reasonableness of conclusions based on data.
• Develop an appreciation for an historical perspective of statistics.

DoDEA Math Standards may be viewed by clicking the link.

Course Outline

Module 1: Exploring and Understanding Data

Module 2: Normal Distributions

Module 3: Bivariate Data

Module 4: Re-Expressing Data

Module 5: Experimental Data

Module 6: Randomness and Probability

Module 7: Random Variables

Image: Randomness and Probability; Shutterstock.com

Textbook

STATS: Modeling the World, 3rd edition
Authors: Bock, Velleman, and DeVeaux
ISBN: 0-7167-4773-1
Publisher: Addison-Wesley (Imprint of Pearson)

Additional Materials

Supplemental Textbook

The Practice of Statistics, 2nd edition
Authors: Daniel Yates, David Moore, Daren Starnes
ISBN: 0-7167-4773-1
Publisher: WH Freeman

Calculator

A graphing calculator is also required for this course. Recommended calculator: The TI-83 or TI-84 calculators.

Image: Graphing Calculator; iStock.com