WI teachers of psychology

[Jim Frailing]

Wisconsin Teachers of Psychology Newsletter

 

Hi Everyone:

 

I hope this Teacher's Convention weekend finds all of you doing well.  It seems like just yesterday it was warm and sunny and I was sending out the first WI Teachers of Psychology Newsletter of the year in September.  For this and all future newsletters, I am including everyone on the both the WI Psychology Teachers and the Milwaukee Area Teachers of Psychology (MATOP) mailing list.  This means a few people in Northern Illinois will also receive this newsletter.  We welcome our neighbors to the south.

 

 

Milwaukee Area Teachers of Psychology (MATOP) Fall Meeting

 

The fall meeting of the Milwaukee Area Teachers of Psychology (MATOP) is scheduled for Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at Pius XI High School.  The meeting will start at 7pm and go for approximately two hours. 

 

Currently, our agenda includes:

     - an analysis of the supplements for the new Myers' Psychology for AP.     - an examination of the brand new Psychology and Life, 19e by Gerrig and Zimbardo.  Everyone attending the meeting will receive a complementary copy.     - a review of the supplements for the new Psychology: Themes and Variations 8e by Wayne Weiten.

     - a report from the College Board one-day workshop at Grayslake.  Please contact me if you attended this workshop and would be willing to give a report.

     - a report from the 2010 AP Psychology Reading.  We will have copies of the two rubrics and ask those who attended the reading for your insights.     - information on the fall CHI-TOPSS meeting

     - a presentation on a few AP Psychology Exam statistics.     - and much more.  We have a number of items currently being worked on that are have not been finalized at this time. 

Our meetings are open to anyone teaching psychology (high school, community college, college, university, etc.) willing to drive to Pius.  While our name suggests we limit the meetings to those teaching in the Milwaukee metropolitan area, we have people coming from the Fox River Valley, Madison area, and Northern Illinois as well as all parts of Southeastern WI.

 

 

New Milwaukee Area Teachers of Psychology (MATOP) Website

 

Though still in an infancy stage of development, MATOP now has its own website.  Go to http://www.germantownschools.org/faculty/kkorek/MATOP_Home_Page.cfm for information about our group and copies of past agendas.  The site includes a form to sign up for our mailing list. 

 

A Note from Jim Frailing, Neenah High School

 

I received the following from Jim Frailing of Neenah High School.  Please see if you can give Jim some help.

 

Year-long versus Semester AP Psychology - Data Needed Please

Hello,

I am in need of some assistance. Our school is moving from a Trimester schedule (5 classes a day - 70 minutes each) to a Semester schedule (7 classes a day - 50 minutes each).

I currently teach AP Psychology in two trimesters (120 days - 70 minutes per day). I was originally told that when we switch to semesters, AP Psychology would be a Year-long course. Now I am being told it will only be a one semester course.

I am in need of research, data, statistics, antidotal evidence, and anything else I can get a hold of, to make the argument of AP Psychology being taught as a Year-long course.

I know others have had to fight this battle, and I would love to hear how you approached it, and what information you used to make your case.

Thank you in advance for any assistance you can offer.

Comments and resources can be sent off-list at the email below.

Take care,

Jim

 

Jim Frailing

Neenah High School

1275 Tullar Road

Neenah WI 54956

Phone: 920-751-6900 ext. 223

Email: JFra...@neenah.k12.wi.us 

Fax: 920-751-6920

 

 

 

Become a Reader for the AP Psychology Exam

 

I would ask each of you who teach AP Psychology to consider becoming an AP Psychology Reading.  This year's reading is in Kansas City and scheduled from June 9-15, 2011.  Being involved with the reading gives you a fantastic insight into how the AP Psychology Free Response Questions are scored as well as an opportunity to meet and mingle with 400+ other people whose passion is teaching this wonderful subject.  Where else can you go and find so many people crazy about psychology?

 

For the first time in the history of AP Psychology, there is a waiting list for readers.  Please be aware you might have to wait a few years before you are invited.  For more information on the reading, please go to http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/homepage/4137.html

 

We already have a relatively large  WI contingent at the reading.  It would be great to increase our numbers and give Utah a run for its money.  Please contact me, if any of the current readers/table leaders would be willing to share your perspectives and experiences with others interested in applying.

 

 

 

AP Psychology Scores for 2010

 

On May 11, 2010, 177,708 students from around the world took the AP Psychology Exam.  Below you will find how those students did on the test.  A majority of colleges will give students credit for a score of 3 or above.  I will send out the statistics specific to WI when they are released in the spring.

 

Score          #                     %

5               34,887            19.6%

4               47, 237           26.6%

3               35,538            20.0%

2               22,592            12.7%

1               37,454            21.1%

 

Total       177,708

 

3 or higher    117,662        66.2%

 

Mean Score        3.11

Standard Deviation        1.42

 

The AP Central Website now includes information on the 2010 FRQs.  The site includes, the two questions, the rubrics used at the AP Psychology Reading in Kansas City, some sample student responses and an explanation how those students scored on the question.  For more info go to http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/exam/exam_questions/2088.html 

 

For more information on the AP Psychology scores, go to the College Board Website at www.collegeboard.com 

 

 

College Board One-Day AP Psychology Workshops

 

Every year the College Board sponsors a number of one-day workshops for AP Psychology teachers.  The workshops are conducted by endorsed AP consultants and provide information about the AP Psychology Program.  Teachers just beginning in AP Psychology as well as those of you who has been teaching the course for many years are welcome to attend.

 

This year the College Board is offering seven different workshops (the Omaha and Grayslake workshops have already been held) in the Midwest Region.  Below you will find the dates and locations along with the consultant currently scheduled to run the workshop.  Please be aware the consultant information is subject to change as needed.

 

11/10/2010 AP Psychology at Eastern Michigan University, Livonia, MI -  Joseph Brown

11/23/2010 AP Psychology at Butler College, Indianapolis, IN -  Jeff Norby

11/30/2010 AP Psychology at University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI -  Jeff Norby

12/14/2010 AP Psychology at University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN  -  Terri Lindenberg

03/16/2011 AP Psychology at Triton College, River Grove, IL -  Joseph Brown

 

 

Future WI Teachers of Psychology Newsletters

 

Please contact me if you have something of interest to WI psychology teachers.  Last year I know our newsletters detailing psychology job openings in the state, helped a number of people.  Please fee free to email me at kko...@germantown.k12.wi.us  I'm planning the next newsletter to come out sometime in December/January.  I would especially like to include news of interest to all psychology teachers, AP and high school level psychology.

 

Take care,

 

Kent

 

 

Kent Korek

Germantown High School

W180 N11501 River Lane

Germantown, WI 53022

Phone: 262-253-3400

Fax: 262-253-3494

kko...@germantown.k12.wi.us

Class Website: http://www.classzoom.com/dove/web_pages/kkorek/

The Teaching of High School Psychology Blog: http://teachinghighschoolpsychology.blogspot.com/