Statistical Survey Project: Aligned CAASPP Targets and CA State Standards

California State Standards Alignment

Statistics & Probability — High School

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSS.ID.A.1
Represent data with plots on the real number line (dot plots, histograms, and box plots).

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSS.ID.A.2
Use statistics appropriate to the shape of the data distribution to compare center (median, mean) and spread (interquartile range and standard deviation).

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSS.ID.A.3
Interpret differences in shape, center, and spread in the context of the data sets, accounting for possible effects of extreme data points (outliers).

These standards are part of the California Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and apply across high school courses, including Geometry.

The above standards are assessed on CAASPP through the following mathematics assessment targets:

Claim 1: Concepts and Procedures

• Target C: Interpret results in the context of a situation.

Claim 2: Problem Solving

• Target A: Apply mathematics to solve problems arising in everyday life, society, and the workplace.

Claim 3: Communicating Reasoning

• Target E: Distinguish correct logic or reasoning from that which is flawed, and explain the flaw.

• Target F: Base arguments on concrete referents such as objects, drawings, diagrams, and data representations.

Purpose of the Statistical Survey Project

This project is designed to assess students’ ability to:

• Represent and analyze real data

• Compare distributions using measures of center and variability

• Interpret statistical results in context

• Communicate mathematical reasoning clearly

These skills align directly with California’s high school statistics standards and with the CAASPP assessment framework, which emphasizes reasoning, interpretation, and data analysis rather than isolated computation.

On the CAASPP students may be asked the following:

 About Mean, Median, Mode, Range

• Interpret or compare averages

• Decide which measure of center is most appropriate

• Explain how an outlier affects the mean vs. the median

• Use summary statistics to justify a conclusion

In regards to standard deviation students are expected to

• Interpret what standard deviation says about variability

• Compare distributions using standard deviation

• Reason about spread in context

Box plots frequently appear on CAASPP because they assess reasoning, not just calculation.

• Read and interpret box plots

• Compare distributions using:

  • Median

  • Interquartile range (IQR)

  • Overall spread

• Identify skewness and outliers

• Use box plots to support claims or comparisons