Statistics Bulletin Board

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Prof. Pat Laughlin guides Rachel and Nicole through a psychology experiment on group vs. individual performance

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General Information

Maintained by UNI MATH. Last update: August 16, 2007

University of Illinois Laboratory High School, Urbana, IL

“UniStat” Classroom Policies

Attendance. The standard is that you will be in class, seated, ready to start, on time. Graded work missed during absences due to illness will be made up within 2 days of your return (or within the number of days missed). Homework and graded work during scheduled absences must be presented in advance of the absence or will result in a score of 0 (zero). SENIORS: THIS INCLUDES COLLEGE VISITS! An unexcused absence will result in a score of zero for any graded work missed. Please refer to the grading policy for more information about how attendance can affect your grade.

Behavior. Common courtesy and decency are the norm. As classroom procedures are developed, you are expected to follow them. Respect yourself, respect your classmates, respect your teacher. I will extend full respect to you, as well. Behavior contrary to this guidance will result in punishment to fit the crime. Standard rules apply: no eating/drinking, no writing on desks or walls, …

Participation. I don’t like to lecture, preach, or chalk-talk; I prefer discussion of the material. You will learn more by participating in class discussions, being prepared to answer questions (pay attention, stay awake!), and being willing to help your classmates. Don’t be afraid to ask relevant questions! When working in groups, each member receives the same grade provided there is sufficient evidence of satisfactory participation by each group member.

Preparation and Homework. You are prepared for class if you have read the prescribed material and worked on the homework with an open, alert mind, and have made a sincere effort to complete all problems. I strongly recommend that you work a few problems each night, rather than waiting for the night before a problem set is due. Doing so will help you keep the material from each day’s lesson fresh, will help you to stay prepared and enable your participation in each class period, and, if you run into problems, you’ll have an opportunity to seek help.

Collaboration. On problem sets, you may generally receive any help you desire EXCEPT DIRECT COPYING (to include paraphrasing and electronic cut-and-paste). For on-line quizzes (see grading policy) you may use your own textbook or notes, but no help from any individual (student, parent, teacher, internet, etc.). On other individual work, you may not receive any help (except from your teacher) unless it is specifically allowed in the assignment instructions. On group work outside class, you may obtain help from outside sources with your teacher's permission, but all help must be cited in your bibliography.

Academic Integrity. On any written work you prepare outside of class, you must cite any reference you use, other than your textbook or class notes and handouts (APA format). In particular, be sure to cite any web site other than one I assign. On tests and quizzes you will be asked to sign a pledge indicating that you have neither given nor received help (other than what is allowed in instructions). On other work, you may follow the collaboration guidelines above, but you must cite assistance where appropriate. Cheating hurts you because you don't learn as much as you're capable of; it hurts others because they see cheaters beating out honest work; it's just plain wrong. I expect you to be forthright in your work, submit only your own work, and not to help others cheat. If you violate the spirit of this expectation, you will be referred to the Assistant Director, and may lose up to 100% of any points involved. A little note: chronic absence on test days is a form of cheating—it allows you more time to master the material than your classmates, and is blatantly unfair. Even if your parents call you in sick.

Attitude. I like math; I hope you do. I also like helping student learn math. I intend to have fun with the math we will discuss; if you let yourself, you might find that you can have fun with math too. We have a great deal of material to cover; some of it may be difficult for you. If so, please seek help from one of your friends, from your parents, from me, or from another teacher before you get too frustrated. A frustrated mind is a closed mind. Open minds have more fun, are more productive, and may result in longer life and increased happiness. My mind is open, too: I know that Statistics is not your only subject at Uni. If a conflict arises, help me to help you work around it by warning me in advance. I’m happy to get the chance to work with you (again?) this year!!!

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“UniStat” Grading Policy

This grading scheme is probably unlike others you have encountered. There are several types of graded events (and an overview of how they're graded) listed below; further down is a description of how "report card grades" will be computed. If it all seems confusing, you're right.

“Problem Sets”—The "problem set" is a weekly selection of homework problems and/or in-class work chosen for careful grading (announced in advance). Problem sets will generally take up to two hours per week, and are worth 10 points. Included in your online grade within 2-3 days (usually).

Each item graded on a scale from 0 (blank, or nonsense answer) to 5 (correct, justified answer). Generally, a 5 equates with "A" and a 2 equates with a "D." For some problems, a 4.5 indicates a minor flaw in the solution.
Item scores are averaged, with the average translating to a letter grade for the problem set (linear scaling: average of 5 translates to 10 points; average of 2 [D] translates to 6 points).
Problem sets are due AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CLASS PERIOD. Late problem sets (including unexcused tardiness) will be assessed a penalty (half point) per day. Work missed or late due to an unexcused absence will earn a score of zero. If you miss part of the day for an excused absence/tardy, you must submit your problem set in my mailbox in the main office by 4:00 in order not to be assessed the late penalty.
There is a very brief (half-hour) "grace period" for electronic submission of problem sets: you may submit electronically, using the "homework drop box" on Compass, by 4:30 on the day the problem set is due, without incurring the late penalty.

Tests/Quizzes—Announced well in advance. Two tests and two quizzes are scheduled per quarter. Tests are worth 50 points, quizzes worth 25 (20 if electronic). Included in your online grade within 2-3 days (usually).

Grading is as for problem sets (5 = A, 2 = D). There may be a bonus problem on some tests; it might add 2-3 points to the test grade.
Tests or quizzes scheduled during a pre-planned absence (including field trips, medical appointments, college visits) must be made up in advance of the absence. Tests or quizzes missed due to excused absences must be taken within the number of days prescribed in the attendance policy. Tests or quizzes missed due to unexcused absences will result in a grade of zero. Students who miss only part of the day MUST TAKE THE TEST OR QUIZ ON THE DAY IT IS SCHEDULED; I can be available during lunch, a free period, or after school.

Test Corrections: After each test (unless it’s an unexcused absence), you will have the opportunity to submit a correction within 3 school days if you did not earn an A for the test. You may use your textbook and/or your own notes. Turn in your original test and a separate page on which you provide detailed corrections, fully explained, for any major errors (generally scores of 4 or less on a problem); minor errors may be corrected with colored pencil on the original test.

Grading—problems corrected with good explanations may earn a score of up to 4 (a problem originally scored “4” may earn up to 4.5). Problems partially corrected, or with incomplete explanations, will earn less. Your test grade will be adjusted (including the online grade).

On-line Quiz—Some quizzes will be online (Mallard), to be done on your own time.

Online quizzes are graded by computer. Generally, each problem (or part of a problem) is weighted equally. Quizzes may be re-taken as often as you'd like; the best score is reported. Quizzes taken late are assessed a 5%-per-day penalty (grace period until 4:30 PM on date due).
You may use a textbook, YOUR OWN notes (not someone else’s), and your calculator. You may NOT use help from anyone, whether in person, via instant messaging, or any other electronic or paper medium.

Projects, Labs, Analysis papers—5% per day late penalty assessed; zero for unexcused absence. Included in your on-line grade within 2-3 days of submission (usually).

Projects (one or more per semester) are long-term group or individual activities; they are graded for mathematical content, quality of writing, overall appearance, quality of visual display, and quality of presentation. Mathematical content, including ideas, calculations, etc., counts for most of the project grade. Each component (the math content may be sub-divided) is graded on a 0-5 scale (see “Tests…”), and the overall project will be worth 25 to 50 points (total point value of project, and a grading rubric, will be announced in advance).
Labs are in-class group investigations for which individually-written lab reports will be turned in. Lab reports will be graded for mathematical content, quality of writing, and overall appearance. Labs are worth 5-10 points (announced in advance).
Analysis papers are one-page critiques, on a monthly basis, of a current newspaper, magazine, or internet article or advertisement that uses (or purports to use) statistical evidence. Guidelines (with grading “rubric”) will be published at least one week before each paper is due, and guidelines will change as you mature “statistically.” Analysis papers are worth 25 points. All articles used must be cited in APA format.
One project, one lab report, and one analysis paper may be re-submitted per quarter, for up to one letter grade improvement; time frame will be discussed individually as the need arises.

Final Exams—there will be a semester exam, both semesters, for this course, during finals week. It will be mostly multiple-choice and short answer, but there will be some extended response questions.

Part of the final exam may be open-book, open-note; part may be closed-book, closed-note. Your calculator may be used throughout the final exam.

Advanced Placement Exam—at your option, you may take the AP exam in Statistics. The course will have covered all topics on the AP syllabus before the AP exam in May.

The AP exam will not count for your grade, and whether or not you take the AP exam will not be considered in grading.
Students who choose to take the AP exam will be offered some review activities in lieu of other assignments/activities.

Each quarter, grades will be assigned in accordance with the criteria below. This table doesn’t list all possible circumstances, but you are guaranteed at least the grade below. I reserve the right to append a “- (minus)” or a “+ (plus)” to a letter grade to indicate that the work was very close to meeting the next lower (minus) or higher (plus) standard.

for the student who masters course content.

All graded events average at least 90%, at most four excused absences or tardies (absences + tardies < 4)

for the student who understands most course content.

Graded events average at least 80% with at most four absences or five tardies (abs < 4, tar < 5, abs + tar < 5)

for the student who is familiar with most course content, struggling with some.

Graded events average at least 70% with no more than five tardies or absences (abs + tar < 5).

for the student who struggles with the course content, or is in danger of failing.

Graded events average at least 60% with no more than five absences or six tardies (abs < 5, tar < 6, abs + tar < 6)

for the student who is failing.

None of the criteria above has been met.

NOTE: 5 absences in one quarter mean you have missed over 10% of class meetings!

If you have a “pre-planned” absence that puts you over the limit, but you submit all assignments BEFORE the absence, it will not count against the limit. Religious and school-related absences don’t count either.

Semester grades will be the average of the two quarter grades. Any necessary rounding will be in the direction of the semester exam. A semester exam grade significantly different (more than 20%) than the average of the quarter grades may raise or lower the final grade by one letter.

Extra Credit: From time to time, extra credit opportunities may be announced (usually on WebCT), but no more than one submission per student per week will be accepted. Bonus points (1 or 2) may be awarded for correct work. Online grades will not reflect extra credit points until the end of the quarter.

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“UniStat” Syllabus

Textbook (recommended, NOT required): Statistics: The Craft of Data Collection, Description, and Inference (3^rd edition), by Monrad, Stout, Harner, et. al.

Technology: Students should have a TI-84 (or TI-84 plus, or TI-83 plus) graphing calculator IN CLASS DAILY and when doing any homework. Students will need worldwide web access periodically, and might find a good spreadsheet program and TI-Graphlink useful on home computers. The final chapter of the textbook is on CD, so students will need access to a computer (I can arrange for paper copies if necessary). There is a limited availability of statistical software at Uni: Minitab on computers in the classroom; Minitab, Mathematica, and possibly others in the Windows lab at Uni; and Fathom and Matlab in Math House. Computers in the classroom and in Math House are equipped with TI-Graphlink cables and software. The WebCT site will have java applets (or links to applet sites) available. For 2007-2008, students will need a "StatCrunch" account, available for $8 per year.

Theme: For the third year, we will study Statistics concepts and skills through the lens of Social Justice (with an option for global warming).

Note: Time frames are very rough estimates; we'll spend more or less time on a unit depending on how the class as a whole is doing.

*Unit*	*Title*	*Time Frame*	*Text Reference*	*Contents*
1	Experimental Design	3 weeks	Chapter 7, plus supplements	Random sampling techniques, observational studies vs. controlled experiments.
2	Representations	3 weeks	Chapters 1 & 2	Statistical representations; review of statistics concepts from earlier courses; introduction to the normal (bell-shaped) curve.
3	Regressions	3 weeks	Chapter 3, Sec. 11.3	Linear regression, correlation, “linearizing transformations.”
4	Probability I	5 weeks	Chapters 4 & 5	Fundamentals of probability and expected value; using simulations to estimate probabilities; “Law of Large Numbers.”
5	Probability II	3 weeks	Chapter 6, plus supplements	Probability distributions: binomial, geometric, Poisson, normal, exponential, uniform…
6	Confidence Intervals	5 weeks	Chapter 8	Central Limit Theorem; standard errors; bootstrapping; margin of error.
7	Hypothesis Testing	4 weeks	Chapter 9	Null and Alternative Hypotheses; using simulations; significance versus acceptance/rejection.
8	Hypotheses About Shape	4 weeks	Chapters 10&11	Hypotheses about correlation and slope; population distributions; testing using simulations; the chi-square density.
9	Special Topics	4 weeks	Chapter 12 ???	ANOVA: Bootstrap techniques; mean-squares; one-way and two-way ANOVA; multiple regressions. Other topics are possible, depending on student and/or teacher interest

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