• College in High School Statistics

    2022-2023

     

    Instructor: Mr. Langley

    Email: clangley@uscsd.k12.pa.us

    Textbook: The Basic Practice of Statistics 7th Edition by David S. Moore (Chapter PDFs available here)

    Pitt Syllabus: STAT 0200 - Basic Applied Statistics

    Availability: -Academic Resource Time

                         -Resource Center - Block 7

     

    “Statistical thinking will one day be as necessary for efficient citizenship as the ability to read and write.”

    H.G. Wells, (1866 - 1946)

     

    What will I do in Statistics?

    The 21st century has become known as the “Information Age.” News, ideas, facts, and opinions travel around the globe instantaneously. Whether doctors are testing the effectiveness of a new drug, or an average citizen is trying to decide who to vote for in November, everyone needs to be able to look past the presentational bias that sometimes comes from the media, and be able to sort, evaluate, and interpret the deluge of information that is available. This is where statistics come into play.

     

    To be successful in this class, you will need to be involved in your learning. You will be expected to take notes on the class presentations, complete questions/problems having to do with the class presentations, and complete projects that have you evaluate statistical studies or create your own. In addition, it will be up to you to identify when you need extra help/practice. There are usually math teachers in the Resource Center throughout the school day. It is your responsibility to seek the help you need!

     

    You will be experiencing a variety of activities throughout the year. Some days may involve lecturing and independent class work. Other days, you will be participating in cooperative learning groups, researching and designing projects, and making presentations to the class.

     

    Your success in this course will require hard work and self-discipline, a responsible and positive attitude, and consistent class attendance. I am looking forward to working with and getting to know each of you. Together, I am confident that we will have an enjoyable and successful year of statistics.

     

    What will I need?

    • Chromebook
      • Earbuds, stylus, etc.
      • GeoGebra Classic 6 (free from the Google Play Store)
    • Graphing Calculator recommended (TI-84)

     

    Statistics Topics

    The course has been separated into areas of study and is taught in the following order.

    Unit 1             Exploring & Understanding Data

    Unit 2             Data Collection

    Unit 3            Probability & Randomness

    Unit 4            Data Analysis

    Unit 5            Statistical Inference

    Unit 6            Inference About Relationships

     

    Grading

    Letter Grade

    Percent

    A

    89.5% or Above

    B

    79.5%

    C

    69.5%

    D

    59.5%

    F

    <59.5%
    • Chapter Responsibilities - Following or integrated into each chapter's instruction, students will be provided with class time to complete responsibilities for each chapter. These include:
      • Homework - Selected problems from the textbook will be assigned with each chapter. Students are responsible for using their class notes to help them complete the assigned problems. It is strongly advised that students complete, check answers, and ask questions about the assigned homework problems. Homework is not worth points, but must be completed and submitted through Canvas in order to be eligible for the unit's retest.
      • Chapter Quizzes - Each chapter concludes with a small open-note Canvas quiz. This quiz is designed to assess your understanding of the chapter and its homework questions. It is to be taken on your own. You may use your book and your notes, as well as your calculator and GeoGebra, but no other electronic resources. This may be retaken once, and the original and retest scores will be averaged.
      • Mini-Projects – Throughout the year, we will have several mini-projects related to the material we study. Some of these will be completed individually, while others will be done in groups. They will be worth anywhere from 5-35 points. Generally, you will be given a window of a few days to complete mini-projects. Some of these will be completed in class, while others will be completed out of school.
    • Tests/Retests - There will be a summative paper/pencil test at the completion of each unit. A retest will be a possibility only if all of the homework for that unit has been completed and submitted. The retest score, for better or for worse, replaces the original test score.
    • Final Projects – At the conclusion of each semester, you will work in groups to conduct a thorough statistical study using all of the techniques you have learned throughout the year. You will be given significant time in class to work on this project, and therefore, exceptional work is expected. This project will be worth up to 100 points.
    • Semester Exam – There may be a final exam at the end of the first semester. It will be worth a percentage of your grade, which will be announced.
    • Bonus: There is none, so don’t even ask for it!

     

    Each semester grade is calculated as a cumulative total of your two nine weeks grades and the semester exam.

    If you are taking this course for Pitt credit, you will also be taking the Pitt final exam, worth 20% of your Pitt grade. Therefore, you will have a USC grade, which goes on your high school transcript, and a Pitt grade, which is what goes on your college transcript.

    Pitt Grade = 40% 1st Semester USC Grade + 40% 2nd Semester USC Grade + 20% Pitt Final

     

    College in High School 

    Information about obtaining college credit for this course is available here. Be aware that unlike AP, your grade for this course goes on your college transcript and may count towards your college GPA.

     

    Canvas

    All course content (chapter notes, review sheets, review answer keys, etc.) is available on Canvas. I will not print out the chapter notes. If desired, you will be responsible for printing them ahead of time and bringing them to class. I try to update your grades after every quiz or test, so your current grade should never be a surprise.

     

    Missing Class

    Absent due to Illness: Upon returning to school, you must make arrangements to turn in any assignments that you’ve missed, as well as make-up any missed tests or quizzes. In general, if you are absent, your make-up work should be completed within the number of days that you missed. For example, if you miss two days, you have two days upon returning to school to turn in your missed assignments.

     

    IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO COMPLETE ANY MISSED ASSIGNMENTS! DO NOT COUNT ON ME TO REMIND YOU! You need to check Canvas frequently to make sure you are caught up. As according to Upper St. Clair High School policy, any work that is completed more than two weeks after the due date is scored as a zero in the gradebook! This policy applies to homework, quizzes, tests, projects, activities, and semester exams. If there are extenuating circumstances, please come see me!

     

    Absent due to Truancy: Any student who cuts class will receive a zero for any work due in class that day. This includes tests, quizzes, projects, activities, homework, etc..

     

    Help

    If you are feeling a bit flustered, I encourage you to seek extra help during Academic Resource Time and in the Resource Center. Math teachers are there throughout the day.

     

    Cheating

    Cheating includes, but is not limited to, copying homework, telling students in other classes about the problems or answers from a quiz or test, storing test answers or formulas in a graphing calculator, copying from another student during class, or sharing calculators during an assessment. Cheating on homework, quizzes, tests, or other assignments is punishable under the school discipline code. Anyone caught cheating will receive a failing grade for that assignment, quiz, or test and a discipline report will be issued.

     

    Student Honor Pledge

    I certify that the work I am submitting is my own and that I have not sought any assistance that would constitute cheating or plagiarism.

                            Upper St. Clair High School Ethics Committee – May 2008

     

    Learn the Honor Pledge. If you can sincerely attest to its validity, you are required to write it at the end of every quiz or test. If you cannot truthfully sign it, please discuss it with me when you turn in your assignment.

     

    Class Procedures and Rules

    1. Report to class on time and prepared.
    2. I do not want to see or hear any cell phones in class, unless I give you permission.  Failure to comply will result in the confiscation of the device and discipline reports will be issued.
    3. Be responsible, honest, and respectful at all times.
    4. The couch and chairs in the back corner are intended for classroom work time. They are not to be used during instruction.
    5. You must be responsible for picking up and disposing of your own trash.
    6. I prefer that you use the restroom during free periods or between classes.  However, if an emergency arises, please excuse yourself.

     

    The items included on this syllabus are subject to change at my discretion. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to…

    • See me during Academic Resource Time or in the Resource Center.
    • Email me or write me a note.
Last Modified on August 19, 2022