We have been in education long enough to know that it can be quite challenging to get funding for resources to use in the classroom. Even when you know that a particular resource is the one your students need, it can be hard to convince the financial decision makers to say "yes". With this in mind, we have come up with some proven strategies you can use to get funding for the Stats Medic AP Exam Review Course for your students.
These suggestions are based on our own experiences in fundraising, but also based on helpful feedback from other teachers who have used the Review Course in the past.
First Things First: Get a Quote
If you are going to make a request for funds, you need to know how much to ask for. Once you have the quote in hand, you know what goal to shoot for. Click here to get a quote.
Ask Your Department Leader, School Leader, District Leader
Schools have different departments with many different budgets for each of those departments, so finding the right person to ask can be difficult. We usually start right in our own math department, like when our department chairperson gets us poster boards and sticker dots (thanks Molly!) For bigger budget items, we have gone to our school principal or even the district curriculum director, like the time we got funding to attend the NCTM conference (thanks Omar and Evan!)
The most important question you need to be able to answer is "How will this improve student learning and performance?" For the Stats Medic Review Course, the answer is:
The Stats Medic AP Exam Review Course was developed by successful and experienced AP Stats teachers with the intentional goal of strengthening and summarizing student learning, so that students can maximize their AP scores. This is achieved by having students engage with short content videos full of targeted AP Exam tips, followed by multiple choice and free response practice, and then immediate feedback on their responses.
For strong evidence that it works, check out the incredible results when Anthony Marble used the Review Course with his students. Also, Luke and Lindsey have helped over 1,000 students at East Kentwood High School to passing scores on the AP Exam, with a 91% pass rate.
Use Platforms Designed to Raise Funds for Teachers
There are many websites built to facilitate social fundraising for teachers. The general public is well aware of the funding shortfalls when it comes to education and is often ready and willing to help support. One time we used the website DonorsChoose to get calculators for our low-income students at the beginning of the COVID pandemic (thank you SONIC, Marty, and Barbara).
Here is a short list of websites specifically made for educators.
Get Creative
When we surveyed teachers that have previously used the Review Course, we were amazed at the variety of funding sources they were able to find. Here is a short list:
local businesses (grocery stores, restaurants, STEM related businesses like engineering firms).
Parent Teacher Organizations (PTO)
Fundraisers (30 ideas here)
Technology grants
COVID related funding sources
STEM related funding sources
Combine Efforts With Other Schools In Your District
We do offer discounts for larger volume orders. Connect with other AP Stats teachers in your district and then submit a quote request for the collective group. If you are a very large district and wanting to get access for all AP Stats students in the district, please connect us to your district level administrators through email (luke@statsmedic.com and lindsey@statsmedic.com)
Have Students Pay Individually
We have a brand new feature that allows for you to set up a cohort for free, and then invite students to pay individually and join your cohort. This will allow for you to monitor student progress, set due dates, and interact with your own students in the platform. Click here to create your group (click on the Review Course and then find the red "Create Cohort" button).
Download this pdf for detailed instructions:
Please do not use this option if your students' families are not in a financial position to afford this (see scholarship below).
Stats Medic Review Course Scholarship
We will be offering very limited scholarships for schools that meet certain criteria. Special consideration will be given to AP Stats classrooms with high levels of low-income and/or minority students. Apply for the Stats Medic Review Course Scholarship here. Applications are due by March 30.
A Final Note
If you were able to get funding from a different resource that we don't have listed here, please contact us to let us know.