The curriculum will be rolled out one grade level at a time, in one of two ways-either for an entire school or as a "school within a school" that runs parallel to the traditional curriculum.
This approach makes use of existing Eastern Iowa school resources while creating opportunity for students-to ultimately transform secondary education throughout the entire school system. Along the way, the national 3DE team will provide ongoing resources and support, including curriculum development, case study design, case partner onboarding, instructional support, and teacher training and coaching.
"GreenState is thrilled to be first to support the 3DE learning model and bring this empowering learning opportunity to the Corridor Region. As a financial cooperative, we see the value in this curriculum and believe that it will accelerate academic outcomes and further prepare students for their careers ahead." -Tara Wachendorf, Greenstate Credit Union Vice President/Public Relations Director, JA of Eastern Iowa Board of Directors
COHORTS
In the 3DE model, teachers and students are grouped into small cohorts, which builds a sense of connection, camaraderie, and trust. 3DE coursework is interconnected, supported by an interdisciplinary team of five to eight teachers. This close-knit, self-contained structure gives students the opportunity to fail safely and "fail up," which boosts their confidence and engagement.
COLLABORATION
3DE encourages student collaboration through small group discussions and facilitated debates. This approach boosts social and emotional skills, gives students an active role in their learning, and closely mimics the real world-to more fully prepare students for a future in the workforce.
“Students get to interact with business professionals and see how companies work,” said Randy Farnum, Prairie High School 9th Grade Teacher. “As freshmen, they are already gaining skills that will set them apart when applying for jobs or leadership roles later in life.”
CASES
Learning and curriculums are built around real-world, real-time business case challenges from regional and national companies. This approach connects students with local business professionals, exposes them to life outside the classroom, prepares them for entry into the workforce, and makes lessons more relevant, memorable, and engaging.
“I loved seeing our progress from the 9.2 case. The way the question were framed gave our group more opportunities to develop creative solutions.” - Natalie, 9th Grade 3DE Student, Alburnett High School
COMPETENCIES
In-depth business case challenges form the foundation of the 3DE approach. By centering an interdisciplinary curriculum around these case challenges, 3DE boosts comprehension, teaches 21st century competencies, and doubles the learning opportunities of a traditional classroom. Core academics-like math, science, history and English-are applied to real-world scenarios, making them memorable, approachable, and relevant. The 3DE model helps students develop valuable skills by encouraging creativity, cultural agility, critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, and self-direction.
JA Program Details
Sponsors
See 3DE™ in Action: Real-World Learning in Eastern Iowa Classrooms
Welcome to 3DE!
Alignment with Standards
Common Core Standards
For those states that follow common core standards, Junior Achievement's curricula have been reviewed for alignment with these standards! Learn more by selecting the appropriate grade level below.
Main Correlation and Standards PageNational Standards
While educational standards are determined primarily at the state level, many national standards serve as guidelines for the development of these state standards. See how Junior Achievement curricula align with the national standards listed below.
State Standards
Junior Achievement curricula are created to align with state standards. To see how our programs align with your state's standards, explore the options below.
Scope and Sequence
Junior Achievement learning experiences cover financial literacy, career and work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Our extensive scope and sequence helps explain how our programs cover these subjects at various grade levels.
