2015 - 2016

Instructor: Mr. Cook (305) 257-4500 cook24@dadeschools.net

Probability and Statistics with Applications Course Syllabus

The Course Design  

Statistics is not like any other math course the students have taken during their high school careers. In this course, coming up with a numerical solution to a problem is only a small part of the whole picture. Statistics is mostly about the process, such as the interpretation of a problem, choosing the correct method to solve the problem, and then communicating the results in such a way that others can understand. Statistics is a way of thinking as well as computing numbers.  This Statistics course follows the AP Statistics Syllabus provided by the College Board. According to the College Board there are four main areas of study; exploratory analysis, planning a study, probability, and statistical inference. The use of a graphing calculator is an integral part of collecting, analyzing, and extrapolating data.

This course will require students to read the text. Students must enter statistics with complete working knowledge of the graphical and algebraic concepts through math analysis, including linear, quadratic, exponential, and logarithmic functions. This Statistics course is taught as an activity-based course in which students actively construct their own understanding of the concepts and techniques of statistics. Statistics Honors will prepare students for the AP Statistics and college statistics courses.

The students are also exposed to a wide variety of teaching materials which include the primary textbook, activities, readings from other books, journals, magazines, newspapers, videos, computer software and calculator simulations. Students are provided with formula sheets, statistical tables, and chapter outlines to guide their reading.

All students should have a graphing calculator with statistical capabilities. Those who do not have a calculator may borrow one provided by the school for class work use.

In order to ensure your success in the classroom, I have outlined certain behavioral and academic rules that must be followed: • Arrive to class on time.• Be seated in your assigned seat (no sitting elsewhere

without permission).• Students must be in uniform.• Be prepared to learn. Have materials and textbook ready.• Desks need to be clear from book bags and clothing.• Be focused. Heads are up (no sleeping in class).• There will be no off-task talking during instructional time.• You must have a pass to exit the classroom.• Raise your hand and wait to be called on.

• Be respectful of others in the class.• Abstain from profanity in the classroom.• Keep your cell phone off and in your purse or book bag (out of

sight, out of mind).• No use of cell phones, Ipads, and laptops without permission

from the instructor.• This is a math class, not a beautician class.• Engage and participate in classroom discussions, activities, and

projects when appropriate.• In the case of absence, the student is responsible for getting

his/her notes.• 10 or more unexcused absences for the year may jeopardize your

grade. Your name will be submitted to the office for committee review.

• No food, which includes gum, is allowed in the classroom.

Classroom Supplies • Three-ringed binder notebook• Pencils• Ruled notebook paper• Graphing paper• Straight-edge or ruler (6” or 12” is preferred)• A TI – 83 or 84 series graphing calculator. We

have TI – 84 graphing calculators for classroom use only. A student ID must be submitted in exchange for borrowing a class calculator.

• All homework is due at the start of the next class session.• Completing all homework assignments with an “A” grade, as well as

completing all gizmos, will qualify the student to have his/her lowest quiz grade exempted at the completion of the grading period.

• In order to receive full credit for a homework assignment, the student must: a) Have all written work neat and legible. All work must have a proper

heading which includes the assignment pages and problem numbers, your full name, date due, and period, in the upper right-hand corner.

b) Show all work. Each step must be shown in a neat and orderly fashion written in pencil only. The answer must be squared in.

c) Complete the entire assignment. Any missing problems will be counted against the homework grade for that assignment. There is no make-up for uncompleted or missing homework.

Homework: Homework is the “practice” which prepares us for the “big game” (test).

Quizzes • Quizzes will be announced in advance.• There will be no make-up quizzes for unexcused tardies.

Tests  

· All cell phones and book bags will be placed at a designated location of the classroom prior to the test.

· There will not be a review day prior to the exam. Every day is review day.

· You may not use notes.· All work must be shown step by step.· If you don’t finish the exam, the problems finished will

be graded or you will start a different exam if you are called to leave school.

· There will be no make-up tests for unexcused tardies. · There will be an open notebook accumulative final every

quarter.· The key to success: Practice, Practice, Practice!

% GPA % GPA % GPA100 4.5   84 2.9   69 1.4

99 4.4   83 2.8   68 1.4

98 4.4   82 2.7   67 1.3

97 4.4   81 2.6   66 1.3

96 4.3   80 2.5   65 1.3

95 4.3   79 2.4   64 1.2

94 4.2   78 2.3   63 1.2

93 4.2   77 2.2   62 1.2

92 4.1   76 2.1   61 1.1

91 4.1   75 2   60 1.0

90 4   74 1.9   59 0.9

89 3.4   73 1.8   58 0.8

88 3.3   72 1.7   57 0.7

87 3.2   71 1.6   56 0.6

86 3.1   70 1.5   55 0.5

85 3            

Test Conversion from Percentage to GPA

Bonus Points· Students will have opportunities to bank bonus points to add to

their test scores.· Bonus points will be immediately used to bump the student to

no more than one grade higher from the true score on any test.· Bonus points will not be used for any test already completed

when the student did not have the points needed to change the score.

· Bonus points will roll over to the next grading period.

Absenteeism and Make-up Assignments  · It is the student’s responsibility to get all missed

assignments when absent. · Students going on a field trip or attending in-house

activities are responsible for any missing assignments.

· The students are expected to have the homework completed and turned in by the start of class.

· Work missed due to an excused absence must be made up within 2 class days of your return to school. You are encouraged to make these up immediately. (Long term absence or special circumstances will be determined on an individual case basis.)

· All make-up exams will be taken in my classroom.

Scoring • Grades are posted in the student portal as soon as possible in

order to keep the student and parents updated with the current GPA.

 Homework & Classwork 15% of final gradeQuizzes 25% of final gradeTests 60% of final grade

 • Grades are regularly posted on the MDCPS electronic grade

book, and may be viewed via the Student or Parent Portal. Interim progress reports will be sent home in the middle of each 9 weeks, and parents are encouraged to e-mail the teacher with any questions or concerns.

• I will also be sending progress reports within 2 weeks of the end of each grading period for students with a “D” or “F” average. These reports are to be signed by the parent and student and returned to me.

• Each quarter ends with your GPA as it is. We will be using the Standard District Grading Scale:

 A 90% - 100% 3.50 – 4.00OutstandingB 80% - 89% 2.50 – 3.49 GoodC 70% - 79% 1.50 – 2.49SatisfactoryD 60% - 69% 1.00 – 1.49 MinimalF 0% - 59% 0.00 – 0.99Unsatisfactory

 

• Be aware of your grades in this class. Check your portal, especially for errors. Because of my generous grading system, the final grade is what it is. Baseball doesn’t give a player an extra hit to get him to a .300 batting average. The difference between winning and losing are the important details. Missing or incomplete homework, an unnecessary classroom break, lack of attention to details, are just a few ways that a student can miss the mark.

• There is no extra credit. You can earn bonus points.• You either pass the course or you don’t. This course is a journey

with four stops along the way.

 

· Students will begin each grading period with a conduct grade of an “A”. The following infractions are taken into consideration for a drop in the conduct grade: a. Sleeping in class b. Use of the cell phone, IPad, and laptop without permission

First offense: warning and loss of all accumulated bonus points. Second offense and thereafter: phone will be confiscated, a referral written, and phone will be handed over to administration. A one-drop conduct grade for each offense will result. All accumulated bonus points will be removed.

c. Sitting in the incorrect seatd. Use of profanitye. Any action as determined by the instructor as misconduct

that warrants an “F” conduct grade

• Unexcused tardies will not be tolerated. The conduct grade will drop by one letter grade for every four unexcused tardies.

• Cheating, disrespect towards the teacher or another student, and destruction of property will automatically drop the final conduct grade along with a referral.

• Any infraction which involves security, our principals, or another teacher will result in a conduct grade drop, a referral, and a phone call to your parent or guardian. You will make the phone call in my presence.

• An effort grade reflects potential, study habits, and attitude and is scored as follows: 

1 = Outstanding (“A” and “B” final grade)2 = Satisfactory (“C” final grade)3 = Insufficient (“D” and “F” final grade)

Hall Passes and Bathroom Breaks

· A classroom break will be given to all students midway through the class session.

· You have 5 minutes between classes, which is plenty of time to take care of your bathroom needs before arriving to class.

· Bathroom breaks may not exceed 5 minutes (however, there are exceptions).

· Students leaving the classroom for any reason must sign out and sign in.

· Only one student may be out at any given time.· Remember that security is watching out for your safety

and for any school violations.

Computer Usage • The computers in this room are to be used for

academic purposes only.• Playing computer games is prohibited.• Downloading or loading software is strictly prohibited.• Do not make any changes to the desktop or to installed

software.• Report computer problems to the teacher. Do not

troubleshoot.• Food and drinks are forbidden at the computer tables.• Logoff your program or website when you are finished.

Please take time to review these requirements prior to signing this form. We have read the class syllabus and are aware of the classroom policies and procedures. (Begin the 9 weeks with 5 bonus points for returning this form.)  Student’s Signature ____________________(print) ___________________(sign) Email address ______________________________________________________  Parent’s Signature _____________________(print) ___________________(sign) Email address ______________________________________________________