CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-ID.C.9
The standard
Distinguish between correlation and causation.
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics
What this standard means
Students need to tell when two variables move together and when one variable actually causes a change in the other. They should read graphs, tables, and short claims, then explain whether the evidence shows a relationship only or supports a cause-and-effect claim.
Mastery looks like students using words like “associated with,” “may be caused by,” and “does not prove” correctly. They can name lurking variables and explain why an experiment gives stronger evidence than an observational study. Students often get stuck when a graph has a strong pattern, because they assume the first variable caused the second.
Ways to teach it
- Give pairs cards with scatterplots and headlines, then have them sort each into correlation only or possible causation with one reason.
- Ask students to write about this claim: students who eat breakfast get higher test scores, so breakfast causes better scores.
- Show one graph and ask students to list two possible lurking variables and decide if causation is proven.
- Use ice cream sales and drowning data to discuss how hot weather can explain two variables rising together.
Plan a lesson for CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-ID.C.9
Generate a complete lesson plan aligned to this standard, with objectives, activities, and materials. Free, no account needed.
Related standards
- CCSS.Math.Content.6.EE.C
Represent and analyze quantitative relationships between dependent and independent variables.
- CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-ID.C.8
Compute (using technology) and interpret the correlation coefficient of a linear fit.
- CCSS.Math.Content.8.SP.A
Investigate patterns of association in bivariate data.
- CCSS.Math.Content.K.MD.A.2
Directly compare two objects with a measurable attribute in common, to see which object has "more of"/"less of" the attribute, and describe the difference.