Beyond AP Statistics (BAPS) Workshop Held in Conjunction with JSM

Rebecca Nichols, ASA Director of Education, and Roxy Peck, BAPS Program Chair

The American Statistical Association/National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Joint Committee on Curriculum in Statistics and Probability sponsored a Beyond AP Statistics (BAPS) workshop at the annual Joint Statistical Meetings in San Diego, California, on August 1. The BAPS workshop is offered for experienced AP Statistics teachers and consists of enrichment material just beyond the basic AP syllabus.

This year, 21 teachers from across the United States participated in the workshop, organized by Roxy Peck of Cal Poly and divided into four sessions led by the following statisticians:

• Randomization Tests – Allan Rossman, Cal Poly
• Logistic Regression – Tom Short, John Carroll University
• What Do We Do When Assumptions Are Not Met? – Robin Lock, St. Lawrence University
• Engaging Students in Statistics – James Cochran, Louisiana Tech University

Andrew Dagis, president of the ASA Southern California Chapter, welcomed the BAPS attendees, who were given a pass to attend the JSM exhibit hall and a certificate of participation from the ASA certifying professional development hours. Optional 0.5 graduate credit hours was also available through Adams State University. Additionally, some BAPS participants opted to attend the high-school sessions of the Meeting Within a Meeting (MWM) Statistics Workshop for Math and Science Teachers on July 31.

BAPS is the brainchild of former ASA/NCTM Joint Committee Chair Jim Matis and has been offered at JSM for the past decade. In addition to Matis, BAPS presenters in recent years have included Linda Young, Beth Chance, Bob Stephensen, Steve Miller, Roxy Peck, Brad Hartlaub, Tim Hesterburg, and Dick Sheaffer.

ASA chapters and members are encouraged to connect with local AP Statistics teachers and middle- and high-school mathematics and science teachers. There are flyers about K–12 statistics education programs and resources available on the ASA website. Questions can be directed to Rebecca Nichols, ASA director of education, at rebecca@amstat.org or (703) 684-1221, Ext. 1877.