Which high schools allow 9th graders to take AP Statistics?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ has RS 1 fall of Freshman year. But then TJ usually teaches Alg 2 in spring of freshman year and instead of math 4/5 next year they are doing AP pre-calc.

I think TJ would be the only one to let your kid do AP stats freshman year (rs1/2) but then they have to do AP pre calc and meh.

I would instead just do precalc freshman year.

Algebra 2 is math3. Math 3, 4, and 5 are offered both fall and spring semesters. Math 4 and 5 is traditional indepth precalc, and few advanced students complete both in freshmen year. AP precalc has a subset of traditional precalc topics (created for lower level math students who dont take Calc AB/BC in high school) and is a waste of time for Math 4 and 5 students, given their comprehensiveness and TJ rigor.

Ah. You’re not a current parent.

They are replacing math 4/5 with AP pre calc.

This was all over the TJ parent forums and social media.

Can you post links. Want to get informed. Im current parent .

Join the PTSA. Go to the meetings. See the TJ insta.

Dcum, as evidenced by this thread, is not a reliable for source for TJ info.

+1

Mr. Mukai covered all of this at the PTSA meeting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is already taking Honors Algebra II this year in 8th grade and will take AP Pre-calc BC. Has anyone else's child taken AP Stats in 9th grade?

**This is the AAP message board, no need to respond that 9th graders shouldn't be taking AP classes or to "just let them be a kid". I'm looking for advice from other parents with kids on similar math paths as my son.

My son took Statistics after Algebra 2. In retrospect, it’s not a good idea, much better to take it after Calculus. I’m sure some people will jump in and say AP statistics is algebra based, but to really understand the fundamentals you need calculus, otherwise the entire course is a mechanical application of formulas.

There are also some concepts covered in precalculus for binomial distributions, combinations and permutations, inverse functions etc.

The AP exam is challenging, it isn’t easy to get a 5, you need to know the material well. In a sense AP Statistics is harder than AP Calculus because it requires a deeper knowledge of material, while most of calculus theorems are straightforward to derive, interpret and apply.

Another point, good statistics teachers are very rare, the one my son had was abysmal, would literally ask for a conclusion in a very specific rote memorization format, all while she never defined in the course what a probability distribution is.

It’s possible to take AP Stat in 9th but not advisable.

knowing calculus while taking AP stats won't magically give a student a deeper understanding unless the course is specifically taught from a calculus based viewpoint, which AP stats isn't.

Knowing Calculus will actually give students a deeper understanding since it underlines any concept in continuous probability distributions which is half the class.

In practice the “algebra based” course will teach that the probability is “area under the curve” that can be found in a table. There goes the “you don’t need calculus” argument. To get a sense of the rationale, you can just spend a little time on the many excellent resources on YouTube that do a good job of presenting these concepts.

If your idea of a fun math class is rote memorization of formulas and the situations where they should be applied, then you can get by with algebra only.

This, plus you’ll be in class with a variety of students that finished either Algebra 2, Precalculus or Calculus. The latter usually do better.

[Anonymous]

The pre-rec for AP Statistics is Algebra II

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The pre-rec for AP Statistics is Algebra II

Prerequisites and what you need to know to do well are two different things. The fundamentals of binomial and geometric distributions are taught in precalculus. You can treat inferential statistics with rudimentary tools or be prepared with calculus bc under your belt.

What would be the reason to take AP statistics concurrent with precalculus? Can’t thing of a good one. There’s not much to gain, and taking it before being prepared can waste an elective slot and damage the gpa. Take the prerequisite for AP science instead.

OPs student is advanced enough to exhaust most AP and DE classes anyways.

9th precalculus
10th AP calculus bc
11th multivariable and linear algebra (1 semester each)
12th differential equations (1 semester) and AP statistics (2 semesters)

If you really don’t want to double in math during the school year plan for linear algebra or differential equations over the summer since they are lighter than the rest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is already taking Honors Algebra II this year in 8th grade and will take AP Pre-calc BC. Has anyone else's child taken AP Stats in 9th grade?

**This is the AAP message board, no need to respond that 9th graders shouldn't be taking AP classes or to "just let them be a kid". I'm looking for advice from other parents with kids on similar math paths as my son.

There's no such thing as "AP Pre-calc BC," is there? Do you mean AP Precalc?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is already taking Honors Algebra II this year in 8th grade and will take AP Pre-calc BC. Has anyone else's child taken AP Stats in 9th grade?

**This is the AAP message board, no need to respond that 9th graders shouldn't be taking AP classes or to "just let them be a kid". I'm looking for advice from other parents with kids on similar math paths as my son.

There's no such thing as "AP Pre-calc BC," is there? Do you mean AP Precalc?

Here's a website that explains it, targeted to people like you.

https://letmegooglethat.com/?q=%22AP+Precalculus+BC%22+fcps

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is already taking Honors Algebra II this year in 8th grade and will take AP Pre-calc BC. Has anyone else's child taken AP Stats in 9th grade?

**This is the AAP message board, no need to respond that 9th graders shouldn't be taking AP classes or to "just let them be a kid". I'm looking for advice from other parents with kids on similar math paths as my son.

My son took Statistics after Algebra 2. In retrospect, it’s not a good idea, much better to take it after Calculus. I’m sure some people will jump in and say AP statistics is algebra based, but to really understand the fundamentals you need calculus, otherwise the entire course is a mechanical application of formulas.

There are also some concepts covered in precalculus for binomial distributions, combinations and permutations, inverse functions etc.

The AP exam is challenging, it isn’t easy to get a 5, you need to know the material well. In a sense AP Statistics is harder than AP Calculus because it requires a deeper knowledge of material, while most of calculus theorems are straightforward to derive, interpret and apply.

Another point, good statistics teachers are very rare, the one my son had was abysmal, would literally ask for a conclusion in a very specific rote memorization format, all while she never defined in the course what a probability distribution is.

It’s possible to take AP Stat in 9th but not advisable.

knowing calculus while taking AP stats won't magically give a student a deeper understanding unless the course is specifically taught from a calculus based viewpoint, which AP stats isn't.

Knowing Calculus will actually give students a deeper understanding since it underlines any concept in continuous probability distributions which is half the class.

In practice the “algebra based” course will teach that the probability is “area under the curve” that can be found in a table. There goes the “you don’t need calculus” argument. To get a sense of the rationale, you can just spend a little time on the many excellent resources on YouTube that do a good job of presenting these concepts.

If your idea of a fun math class is rote memorization of formulas and the situations where they should be applied, then you can get by with algebra only.

I think you mean "toy situations where they can be misapplied".

[Anonymous]

AP stats is what kids usually take when they have exhausted other math, so most schools don’t offer it until later in the sequence and at least at our HS, gave preference for seniors who needed the math requirement but had taken everything else and weren’t doing dual enrollment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is already taking Honors Algebra II this year in 8th grade and will take AP Pre-calc BC. Has anyone else's child taken AP Stats in 9th grade?

**This is the AAP message board, no need to respond that 9th graders shouldn't be taking AP classes or to "just let them be a kid". I'm looking for advice from other parents with kids on similar math paths as my son.

There's no such thing as "AP Pre-calc BC," is there? Do you mean AP Precalc?

Here's a website that explains it, targeted to people like you.

https://letmegooglethat.com/?q=%22AP+Precalculus+BC%22+fcps

So it's not a real thing, it's something that some FCPS schools made up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ has RS 1 fall of Freshman year. But then TJ usually teaches Alg 2 in spring of freshman year and instead of math 4/5 next year they are doing AP pre-calc.

I think TJ would be the only one to let your kid do AP stats freshman year (rs1/2) but then they have to do AP pre calc and meh.

I would instead just do precalc freshman year.

Algebra 2 is math3. Math 3, 4, and 5 are offered both fall and spring semesters. Math 4 and 5 is traditional indepth precalc, and few advanced students complete both in freshmen year. AP precalc has a subset of traditional precalc topics (created for lower level math students who dont take Calc AB/BC in high school) and is a waste of time for Math 4 and 5 students, given their comprehensiveness and TJ rigor.

Ah. You’re not a current parent.

They are replacing math 4/5 with AP pre calc.

This was all over the TJ parent forums and social media.

Unlike the AP pre-calc at base school, there may be a TJ AP precalc, a semester course with same content as Math 5 plus the option to take the AP Pre-calc exam. AP pre-calc is of no use for TJ students since AP Calc AB is required minimum for graduation.

It's still an AP class, isn't it?

Yes but that has no effect on the kid's life.

Doesn't it demonstrate a marginally higher level of rigor?

Higher level than what?

You have to look at the course not the "AP" label. Are all college courses equally rigorous, and more rigorous than high school courses? No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:AP stats is what kids usually take when they have exhausted other math, so most schools don’t offer it until later in the sequence and at least at our HS, gave preference for seniors who needed the math requirement but had taken everything else and weren’t doing dual enrollment.

AP Stats is what students take when *the student* is exhausted of math and doesn't want to go further, or is at a weak school that doesn't offer access to higher level courses.
AP stats is a math class as much as Economics or Physics is math class -- a little bit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is already taking Honors Algebra II this year in 8th grade and will take AP Pre-calc BC. Has anyone else's child taken AP Stats in 9th grade?

**This is the AAP message board, no need to respond that 9th graders shouldn't be taking AP classes or to "just let them be a kid". I'm looking for advice from other parents with kids on similar math paths as my son.

There's no such thing as "AP Pre-calc BC," is there? Do you mean AP Precalc?

Here's a website that explains it, targeted to people like you.

https://letmegooglethat.com/?q=%22AP+Precalculus+BC%22+fcps

So it's not a real thing, it's something that some FCPS schools made up.

"AP Precalculus" isn't a real thing. It's just something College Board made up.

"FCPS" ? What's "FCPS" ?
Why are we talking about "FCPS" ?

Oh, because OP asked an FCPS question on an FCPS forum!

Go brag about your ignorance elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP stats is what kids usually take when they have exhausted other math, so most schools don’t offer it until later in the sequence and at least at our HS, gave preference for seniors who needed the math requirement but had taken everything else and weren’t doing dual enrollment.

AP Stats is what students take when *the student* is exhausted of math and doesn't want to go further, or is at a weak school that doesn't offer access to higher level courses.
AP stats is a math class as much as Economics or Physics is math class -- a little bit.

To say AP statistics is not a math class betrays a bizarre mix of ignorance and arrogance. Or to say it’s for weak schools or students, just look up the syllabus before making up these silly comments that don’t help anyone in the thread and are only misplaced bragging meant to gratify your ego.

It’s fine if your child doesn’t have an interest in Statistics, but it’s in poor taste to belittle the ones who do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is already taking Honors Algebra II this year in 8th grade and will take AP Pre-calc BC. Has anyone else's child taken AP Stats in 9th grade?

**This is the AAP message board, no need to respond that 9th graders shouldn't be taking AP classes or to "just let them be a kid". I'm looking for advice from other parents with kids on similar math paths as my son.

My son took Statistics after Algebra 2. In retrospect, it’s not a good idea, much better to take it after Calculus. I’m sure some people will jump in and say AP statistics is algebra based, but to really understand the fundamentals you need calculus, otherwise the entire course is a mechanical application of formulas.

There are also some concepts covered in precalculus for binomial distributions, combinations and permutations, inverse functions etc.

The AP exam is challenging, it isn’t easy to get a 5, you need to know the material well. In a sense AP Statistics is harder than AP Calculus because it requires a deeper knowledge of material, while most of calculus theorems are straightforward to derive, interpret and apply.

Another point, good statistics teachers are very rare, the one my son had was abysmal, would literally ask for a conclusion in a very specific rote memorization format, all while she never defined in the course what a probability distribution is.

It’s possible to take AP Stat in 9th but not advisable.

knowing calculus while taking AP stats won't magically give a student a deeper understanding unless the course is specifically taught from a calculus based viewpoint, which AP stats isn't.

Knowing Calculus will actually give students a deeper understanding since it underlines any concept in continuous probability distributions which is half the class.

In practice the “algebra based” course will teach that the probability is “area under the curve” that can be found in a table. There goes the “you don’t need calculus” argument. To get a sense of the rationale, you can just spend a little time on the many excellent resources on YouTube that do a good job of presenting these concepts.

If your idea of a fun math class is rote memorization of formulas and the situations where they should be applied, then you can get by with algebra only.

I think you mean "toy situations where they can be misapplied".

Ok bro, you’re not him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP stats is what kids usually take when they have exhausted other math, so most schools don’t offer it until later in the sequence and at least at our HS, gave preference for seniors who needed the math requirement but had taken everything else and weren’t doing dual enrollment.

AP Stats is what students take when *the student* is exhausted of math and doesn't want to go further, or is at a weak school that doesn't offer access to higher level courses.
AP stats is a math class as much as Economics or Physics is math class -- a little bit.

To say AP statistics is not a math class betrays a bizarre mix of ignorance and arrogance. Or to say it’s for weak schools or students, just look up the syllabus before making up these silly comments that don’t help anyone in the thread and are only misplaced bragging meant to gratify your ego.

It’s fine if your child doesn’t have an interest in Statistics, but it’s in poor taste to belittle the ones who do.

I love statistics, which is why AP statistics makes me sad.