Stat Geek Squad: Mentoring Novice AP Statistics Teachers of Underserved Students

• Activity Number: 518
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Wednesday, August 6, 2014 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Statistical Education
• Author(s): Sharon Hessney*+
• Companies: Massachusetts Math & Science Initiative
• Keywords: AP Statistics ; K - 12 ; Mentoring ; teachers ; low-income students ; Coaching

Abstract

The Advanced Placement (AP) Statistics Content Leader of the Massachusetts Mathematics and Science Initiative (MMSI) provides support to 61 teachers in 48 schools who teach more than 1,500 AP Statistics students. Most of these schools have students who are typically, underrepresented in AP Statistics courses. Since high school statistics teachers are typically "sole practitioners" - they are only teacher in their building who has in-depth content knowledge in statistics, this support has resulted in dramatic increases in low-income and minority student enrollment and performance, as measured by the number of AP exam qualifying scores (3, 4, and 5). A partnership of national and local foundations and corporations and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts fund MMSI. MMSI's mission is to increase the success of low-income and minority students in AP math, science, and English courses. Specifically for AP Statistics, this population has had limited access to statistics classes. Since the program's inception in 2008-2009, the low-income and minority enrollment has increased at 94% and 47% annually, respectively. The qualifying scores have increased at 70% and 67% annually, respectiv