Author: DeAnna K. McDonald

AP Statistics—Is it for You?

We live in a new age—the age of information—and we are bombarded with that information, often in the form of raw numbers, graphs, charts, or prediction lines. Commercial television is filled with advertisements touting the newest drug. Schools (even Palo Verde) change entire curriculum on the strength of one experiment. Businesses and politicians make decisions based on research. Being data-driven is the new catch-phrase.
So, who needs statistics? Apparently more people than need calculus. More of us will use statistics than will use calculus, trigonometry, or college algebra; that makes AP Statistics your opportunity to learn how to produce and use data, to recognize bad data, and to make decisions with data. Statistics allows you to drive data, rather than being driven by it.
What is AP Statistics?
AP Stat is an introductory course in statistics. You’ll learn how to collect, organize, analyze, and interpret data. At Palo Verde, AP courses also improve your GPA because they are weighted.
Why Should I Take It?
Statistics is used by more people than any other kind of math. You will always be able to answer the question “When are we ever going to need this?”
Who Uses Statistics?
Everyone uses statistics, college-bound or not. Those going to college will probably take some class, some time that uses statistics. Why not be prepared?
How Hard Is AP Stat?
If you don’t do your homework, AP Stat is hard. But it’s not like a regular math class—we don’t have problem after problem in which the answer is “4” or “x + 3.” As a bonus, you don’t have to memorize formulas and we use a graphing calculator every day.
Why Should I Take AP Stat?
First, it is a full-year class for a course that in college is taught in one semester. So that means you will have plenty of time to ask questions and completely understand the concepts. You will go to college fully prepared, even if your college professor isn’t very good at teaching. Former students come back to report that they tutor the rest of their college friends when it comes to statistics.
Does This Class Count as Math Credit?
Absolutely—and the universities in our state system count it too.
Okay, How Do I Get In?
You can take this class as long as you have completed both semesters of Intermediates Algebra. You can take this class concurrently with both Pre-Calculus and with Calculus. Stop by and see Mrs. McDonald in room 204 if you have more questions.
What if it Conflicts With Another Class?
This year, we are using a computer to create the master schedule—MAXIMUM PARTICIPATION with MINIMUM CONFLICTS! If you have questions about this, just see Mrs. McDonald.

Need More Info?
Come Find Out More
See Mrs. McDonald
ANYTIME
Room 204