PHOENIX — Major companies are turning to classrooms to help solve real-world business challenges through a new 3DE learning model.
The partnership between Phoenix Union High School District and Junior Achievement of Arizona seeks to make classes more relevant to students’ communities and futures.
Anne Landers with Junior Achievement explained that teachers integrate real-world challenges and skills into curriculum.
“So, for example, they’re working on, ‘How can I attract a younger demographic to come to Arby’s?’ or, in Delta Airlines, they’re working on, ‘How can we improve the waiting and onboarding experience?’” she said.
How do business challenges work with 3DE learning model?
Throughout the semester, business partners visit classrooms to evaluate students’ proposed solutions to these business challenges, offering feedback and real-world insight.
Currently, Cesar Chavez and Alhambra High Schools are in the first year of the program, with ninth graders enrolled. The initiative will expand by one grade level each year.
Dr. Jodi Weber, principal of Alhambra High School, said students are more engaged when the curriculum reflects issues they see in their own neighborhoods.
“I think it’s really exciting that they get to just see immediately that they have voice in the community… and they don’t have to wait until they’re 30 to do that. Their ideas matter now,” Weber said.
Landers added that the 3DE model has already been tested in other states, with promising results.
“What we see with the students who participate in 3DE is that they’re significantly more likely to graduate,” Landers said. “They’re more likely to go on to post-secondary education. They’re outperforming their peers.”
Funding for this journalism is made possible by the Arizona Local News Foundation.
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