Marketers Know How to Engage Gen Z Teens – Why Don’t High Schools?
June 25 2024 - 10:26AM
Business Wire
Personalized Learning allows Learn4Life to
connect with students
For Gen Z teens, personalization is key in everything they do –
from custom playlists and dynamic content to store suggestions
based on prior purchases. And it’s not just a trend, it’s
fundamental to reaching this generation. Marketers understand and
have pivoted to align with Gen Z’s values by incorporating values
like authenticity, integrity, transparency and personalization.
Above all, young people want to be treated as individuals.
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Learn4Life empowers students through the
personalized learning model. (Photo: Business Wire)
But most high schools are still teaching in the old-school
models of the boomer generation. Large classrooms, a teacher
lecturing and a one-size-fits-all curriculum isn’t working – the
dropout rate is as high as 22 percent in some states as students
continue to struggle.
Learn4Life, a network of 80+ public high schools that focuses on
personalized learning, understands that teens learn best by doing,
having access to on-demand content and collaboration.
“Our team of teachers, tutors and counselors identify the unique
needs of each student, their interests and abilities, and create a
customized learning path for them,” said Shellie Hanes,
superintendent of Learn4Life. “And our students respond positively
to a personalized and flexible experience.”
In a 2022 study of Gen Z youth (those born after 1996),
researchers found that 73 percent expect companies to understand
their unique needs and expectations, and 56 percent expect offers
to always be personalized.1
Hanes says that educators need to take some strategies out of
the marketers’ playbook and change the school experience to meet
the needs of their Gen Z teens. For example:
- Personalize their learning experience based on their strengths
and style of learning.
- Give them a flexible schedule so they can decide when they
learn best, or so they don’t have to miss classes to work or care
for young children.
- Competency-based progression should be incorporated into all
schools. This allows students to quickly move ahead with subjects
they have mastered and spend a bit more time on subjects with which
they struggle.
- Build their confidence as they successfully master
coursework.
- Competencies should go beyond core subjects to include
electives that hold students’ interest, job skills and mindsets
like developing resilience.
- Focus on students’ strengths, interests and goals, rather than
their deficits.
- Instead of an emphasis on test-taking, concentrate on
continuous learning and opportunities to demonstrate
knowledge.
When students have a say in how they learn, they are more
engaged in their coursework and motivated to graduate from high
school. Every student deserves an education that meets them where
they are.
August is Personalized Learning Month to highlight the
importance of the student voice and how tailored education empowers
and drives success inside and outside of the classroom.
For more information about Learn4Life and its personalized
learning model, visit www.learn4life.org/personalized-learning.
About Learn4Life
Learn4Life is a network of nonprofit public high schools that
provide students personalized learning, career training and life
skills. Each school is locally controlled, tuition free and gives
students the flexibility and one-on-one attention they need to
succeed. Serving more than 59,000 students through a year-round
program, we help them prepare for a future beyond high school. For
more information, please visit www.learn4life.org.
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1
https://www.salesforce.com/content/dam/web/en_ie/www/PDF/state-of-connected-customer-fifth-ed-comp.pdf
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MEDIA CONTACT Ann Abajian, Learn4Life (559) 903-7893
PR@learn4life.org