Gen Z students are sending a clear message: school isn’t working for them. According to a recent Gallup poll, less than 20% of K–12 students strongly agree that what they’re learning in class is important or interesting. As classrooms struggle to engage students, nearly half (46%) say they’re most interested when learning feels hands-on, and over a third (35%) engage best when they can connect schoolwork to real-world experiences.
These findings expose a deep disconnect between traditional education and how today’s students want to learn. 3DE by Junior Achievement is bridging that gap by re-engineering high school into a place where learning mirrors life beyond the classroom. The result? Students are more engaged and better prepared for their futures.
For one 3DE student, that shift was life-changing: “3DE was the first time I was genuinely interested to go to school and to be actively present in class.” This level of engagement is reflected in the data — 84% of 3DE seniors are engaged in school, compared to just 24%–54% of students nationally.
Creating Real-World Connections
The key to this transformation lies in 3DE’s instructional model, which centers on a case method approach where students tackle real-world challenges from a variety of industries. Through these case experiences, students don’t just memorize information — they actively apply it. One 3DE parent shared how this shift impacted her son: “3DE teaches students so much more than their core curriculum. It’s giving him the skills he needs to succeed.” By connecting learning to real-world applications, students gain a sense of purpose and see the relevance of their education.
Teachers: The Secret to Engagement
While curriculum and structure play a significant role, the impact of teachers can’t be overstated. Gallup’s research confirms this: 60% of students say their engagement is driven by teachers who make the material interesting and exciting. 3DE teachers connect their students’ real-world case challenges to their classroom curriculum, making learning more relevant and authentic. As one 3DE junior put it, “Regular teachers want the best for us, but when it comes to 3DE teachers, they take it to another level.”
Preparing Students for the Future
Despite the challenges they face in school, 79% of Gen Z students believe they have a great future ahead of them, but only 51% feel prepared for it. 3DE addresses this disconnect by providing students with opportunities to develop critical skills and competencies that will serve them throughout their lives.
By fostering real-world connections, empowering teachers, and focusing on the skills students need for the future, 3DE is creating a meaningful, experiential, and engaging high school experience. 3DE students are gaining more than academic knowledge — they’re building the skills and mindsets that will help them thrive in tomorrow’s economy.
About Junior Achievement of Arizona
Junior Achievement of Arizona (JA) is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization that prepares Arizona students to succeed in work and life by teaching them financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship skills. Founded in 1957, JA provides learners, K-25, with the knowledge and skills they need to manage their money, plan for their future, and make smart academic, career, and economic choices. The organization’s hands-on, age-appropriate programs are delivered by more than 9,500 corporate and community volunteers. In the 2023-2024 school year, JA reached approximately 190,000 primarily low-income, diverse students from all different geographic areas of Arizona, including rural, suburban, urban, and tribal communities. Follow @JAArizona on social media or visit jaaz.org/resources for more free online educational tools.
