1. Welcome To AP Economics
Required Text: Economics, McConnel and Brue 15th Edition(Green)
Macroeconomics is the study of large segments of the capitalist or market economy. This overview course may be subdivided into several broad categories forming the basic structure of the course.
These are:
Basic Economic Concepts
Measurements of Economic Performance
National Income and Government Policy
Economic Growth
International Trade

2. PURPOSE
Purpose:
The purpose of the course is to prepare students to take the AP Economics examination in May of For this reason, assessments necessarily reflect the AP exam. Reading quizzes will be given; multiple exams in the style of the AP exam will be given; and free response questions that emulate those on the exam will also be given. All will give the students the opportunity to work towards success on the AP exam. Of course, the course may be taken without an eye towards taking the AP exam; however, the same regimen and standards apply to all students.

3. ASSESSMENT Grades and Assessment:
Exams: multiple choice exams in the AP Exam style % of nine wks grade
Reading Quizzes: multiple choice quizzes in the AP exam style % of nine wks grade
Free Responses: Graphing and essay questions % of nine wks grade
Optional Homework Key Questions and Test corrections for up to 5 points on a test grade.
9 Weeks Exam: Multiple choice or free response exam % of 1st 9 wks grade
Final: if not exempt as per school policy % of semester grade

4. How Grades Are Created
When I teach the AP economics course I am aware that it is one of several difficult courses many of you are taking so the following will be in effect for this course:
1. All exams will be graded on a square root curve. This is essentially how AP scores these exams. It works like this. If you score a 50 on an Eco exam I will take the 50 find the square root of it and multiply by 10. This would result in a grade of 71. Therefore, if you get half the Answers correct on any given exam you will pass it. If you receive a 70 your score would be 8.36 X 10 or 84, an 80 would be 8.9 X10 or 89.
2. Free response questions will be assessed with an eye to proper use of graphing, labeling, and resulting economic outcomes.
3. Quizzes will be graded in the same manner as exams. No corrections will be taken for quizzes.
4. Key questions for each chapter may be done for extra points or you may opt to do test corrections.

5. Some Things you need to know
Chronic tardiness implies a lack of character and a lack of concern for others. It interrupts the class and takes away from other students’ time. If you are going to have a problem being on time you need to speak with me as soon as possible so that we can find you a teacher who is okay with this as it won’t be me.

6. STYNTK Cont.
I encourage students to attend class as often as health permits. I do understand that students will have other reasons to miss class that are valid. Please be sure that YOU undertake the necessary steps to make up work that is missed when you are not here. I expect all missed exams, quizzes, and free responses to be made up within ONE week of the original date it was given. I will not “remind” you of missed work. That is your business.

7. STYNTK Cont. Academic Tutoring and help:
The instructor will be available for help at most times. This needs to be scheduled in order for it to not become irksome. See me for details.
In the spring, my hope is to have some after school tutoring as well as one or two Saturday practice AP exams. This will be most important for students taking this course in the fall. I will let you know what will be done in this regard as soon as possible.

8. RE:
About the course:
You will need to read the textbook to get the basic understanding of what I will be talking to you about and discussing with you each day. I understand that text book reading is not the most interesting or exciting form of information gathering. I do wish that we were equipped to do this in some other way. Failing that, we have to rely on the old fashioned way of getting things done. Graphing is an integral part of the free response section of the AP exam so expect to be learning and memorizing some graphs and labeling as well. You will be better off if you are able to keep up with the reading as much as possible.

9. Utilizing Resources
Ajadaf.weebly will carry much information that could be useful to you. In addition to links, it also will have powerpoints over readings and access to other things such as practice exams and free responses when we get to that point.
Hopefully our class discussions and blog postings will also have a beneficial effect on your learning.

10. ERGO:
I believe that this course will give you a much fuller understanding of economics than you would receive in the regular economic course. I hope that you will find much here that you can use in other areas of your education and daily life. My own belief is that almost all human endeavor is actuated by economic motivations regardless of what we think is motivating it. Others do not believe this. They are incorrect. Welcome to the class!