1. Mr. Reeder Chattahoochee High School reedert@fultonschools.org
AP Economics
Mr. Reeder
Chattahoochee High School

2. Overview
In the Social Studies Department because it examines human behavior and how we make decisions.
However, it’s a Social Science that includes graphing, math calculations, and logical reasoning
The assumption is NO economics background
Economics course is required for graduation

3. What is Economics?
The Social Science dealing with the efficient use of scarce resources to achieve the maximum satisfaction of economic wants.
A different way of thinking
Opportunity cost
Rational decisions
Cost-benefit analysis
Thinking at the margin
Power of incentives

4. The AP Exams College Board’s National exams in May
2 AP exams = 2 college course credits
2 hours long
70-minute multiple-choice section
60-minute free-response section
Some questions in the free-response section require graphical analysis

5. Min AP Score Needed (Mic, Mac) College Course Exempted
College Credit
College credit varies
Colleges are increasingly requiring a composite score
College
Min AP Score Needed (Mic, Mac)
College Credits Given
College Course Exempted
Ga Tech
4, 4
3, 3
Econ 2105, Econ 2106
Ga State
UGA
Brown University
Composite 8
1 course
Econ 0110
Wake Forest
Econ 150
MIT
5, 5
9, 9
Princeton
Composite 10
3 courses
Econ 100, 101, 102

6. Prerequisites Senior (4th year of high school)
Math: A or B in Honors Precalculus, Adv. Algebra and Trig., Accelerated Integrated Pre-Calculus, Integrated Trigonometry, or AP Calculus (AB or BC)
Social Studies: A or B in AP US History or A in on-level US History
Good attitude towards a new subject

7. Day-By-Day Mini-lesson Lecture
~daily
Simulations, powerpoints, and YouTube clips
~every other day. Example of video CLICK
Practice graphing (dry erase boards)
~ twice per week
AP Classroom (practice MC and FRQ questions)
~ 1-2 per week
Textbook
~ 20 pages per week
Student Workbook
~ 1 activity per day (usually in class)

8. AP Micro Content Topics
Micro = how induvial units within the economy make decisions
Households, Business Firms
Units of Content:
Basic Economic Concepts
Supply & Demand
Production, Cost, and the Perfect Competition Model
Imperfect Competition
Factor Markets
Market Failure and the Role of Government

10. Typical Micro graph FRQ

11. Sample Question
Which of the following situations would necessarily lead to an increase in the price of peaches?
(a) While the wages of peach farm workers fall drastically, the peach industry launches a highly successful advertising campaign for peaches.
(b) A breakthrough in technology enables peach farmers to use the same amount of resources as before to produce more peaches per acre.
(c) The prices of apples and oranges fall.
(d) Weather during the growing season is ideal for peach production.
(e) The wage paid to peach farm workers rises at the same time that medical researchers find that eating peaches reduces the chances of a person’s developing cancer.
ANSWER: E (peaches cost more to produce, plus more people want them)

12. AP Microeconomics Test Results Last 5 years
Percent passing AP Test: 100%
Average AP Test score: 4.7 (only AP Macro has a higher avg at Chattahoochee)
Average grade on report card: 95%

13. AP Macro Content Topics
Macro = how the entire economy is inter-connected
Major Content Domains:
Basic Economic Concepts (repeat)
Economic Indicators and the Business Cycle
National Income and Price Determination
Financial Sector
Long-Run Consequences of Stabilization Policies
Open Economy – International Trade and Finance

15. Sample Macro Question
Which of the following groups would most likely gain from unanticipated inflation? (a) Landlords who own apartments in cities with rent controls. (b) Individuals who have fixed retirement incomes. (c) Individuals who earn high incomes (d) Individuals who have borrowed money at fixed interest rates (e) Banks that have loaned all excess reserves at a fixed interest rate. Answer: D

16. Typical Macro graph FRQ

17. AP Macroeconomics Test Results Last 5 years
Percent passing AP Test: 95%
Average AP Test score: 4.8 (highest at Chattahoochee)
Average grade in class: 94%
Each year, approximately 150,000 students around the world take the AP Macro exam. Around 60 make a perfect score. Over the past 5 years, I’ve had 5 students score perfectly.

18. In 2018, I was named the Economics Teacher of the Year for the State of Georgia

19. My teams have been State Champions in the Economics Bowl 5 different years and advanced to an all- expenses paid National competition in Manhattan in 2017 and 2019.