Least Squares Regression with Education Inequality

Provided by: Skew the Script |Published on: May 28, 2025

Lesson Plans

1112AP

Scientist Reviewed ↗

Synopsis

This statistics lesson from Skew the Script uses linear regressions, best-fit lines, y-intercepts, and slopes to evaluate and predict the relationship between two variables.
Students will learn how to define the explanatory and response variables, calculate residuals, define the line of best fit, discuss correlation vs. causation, and understand the difference between linear equations and linear regressions.
The primary example discusses the relationship between student attendance and test scores, and additional examples evaluate questions about other topics such as the cost of housing, salaries, vacation days, and health data.

Related Teaching Resources

Subjects: Civics, Mathematics

Authors: Skew the Script

Region: United States

Languages: English

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Teaching Materials

Positives

With this lesson, students have real-life situations to apply math concepts, highlighting the utility of these skills.
Students have a variety of tools available to them to access the content and practice the skills.

Prerequisites

Teachers will need to create a free account and give some school information to access some of the materials.
Students should be familiar with linear equations.
Teachers will need to create a Desmos account to assign the activity and see student responses online, however the answers to the questions are available under Sample Responses when viewing the student preview via the link in the resource.
Students facing poverty may become uncomfortable discussing this topic. Be mindful of students' emotions when discussing these issues.

Differentiation & Implementation

Students can discuss how climate change may disproportionately affect low-income communities, due to food and water insecurity, extreme weather events, and extreme heat. Students can talk about how these factors may further the achievement gaps as climate change gets worse.
Teachers can connect this discussion to the Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on Goal 1: No Poverty and Goal 4: Quality Education. If students are unfamiliar with the Sustainable Development Goals, this guide can help teachers get started.
Students can research other policies and programs that have helped to address some of the other variables connected to poverty and low test scores, such as free and reduced lunches, Head Start, Title 1, and others to determine their efficacy.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

About the Partner Provider

Skew The Script

Skew The Script offers free, genuinely relevant math lessons for high school courses. Is college worth the cost? Are electric cars actually greener? Can you make a living as an influencer? Their nonpartisan lessons challenge students to tackle these questions with statistics, mathematics, and critical thinking.

Scientist Reviewed

This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.

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Least Squares Regression with Education Inequality

Synopsis

Teaching Materials

About the Partner Provider

Scientist Reviewed

Related Teaching Resources