“Margaret Vaughn draws on her rich experiences as a teacher and a researcher to explain and illustrate vividly for us the multiple dimensions of agency. She demonstrates with classroom vignettes from primary to secondary the many unique approaches that teachers take to develop and support agency in their students and thereby improve their academic and social emotional learning. It will take all educators—teachers, principals, district administrators, and state and federal policymakers—to create the educational contexts that our children deserve.”
—From the Foreword by Anne Haas Dyson, professor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
“While parents are generally aware of the energy that children bring to almost every situation, somehow in schools we seem to have forgotten the drive that inspires children to engage, inquire, ask questions, and ultimately learn. Student Agency in the Classroom provides a much-needed opportunity for educators to revisit the creative and productive enthusiasm that children naturally bring to learning. In this text, Margaret Vaughn deftly leads readers through a thoughtful discussion of not only what agency is and how it matters, but what it looks like in classrooms and how educators can foster agency and engagement among their students. Challenging narrow views of classroom learning and standardized instruction, Vaughn reminds teachers not only to put the child at the center of instruction, but also to recognize the humanity of children, their creativity, and ultimately their unique and inspiring ability to learn.”
—Catherine Compton-Lilly, John C. Hungerpiller Professor, University of South Carolina
“For decades, countless teachers have shared the desire for their students to become independent learners, yet they have also been provided with prescribed curriculum that pays little attention to how to foster these independent inquirers in their classrooms. This book has helped to bring these desires to fruition. Vaughn helps us understand how classroom events can be reshaped not through earth-shattering changes, but through small tweaks and reframing of intentions and approach to afford opportunities for students to exercise some autonomy over their own learning. As she writes, ‘Teachers never cede control entirely.’ I especially appreciate the bountiful examples, student and teacher voices, and vignettes throughout every chapter that distill these complex, theoretical ideas down to actionable steps I can share with teachers when I work with them in professional learning contexts.”
—Dana Roberson, associate professor, Virginia Tech School of Education
“What is student agency and even more importantly, how do we encourage it? Vaughn nails down this hard to define and even harder to promote concept with rich and varied classroom examples. Authentic student and teacher voices add heft to the concepts and ideas. Educators can envision their own pedagogical practices that encourage student agency.”
—Robin Griffith, professor, TCU College of Education
“This timely resource is grounded in research. Student Agency in the Classroom provides clear explanations, real examples, and reflection prompts throughout. Teachers and administrators need this book for professional development, especially when considering school improvement efforts. This book is a must for teacher educators who are interested in building and promoting student agency in teacher preparation programs.”
—Roya Qualls Scales, professor, Western Carolina University
“Dr. Vaughn melds a burgeoning field of study to make a compelling point: student agency matters now more than ever. From theory, to research, to practice, Student Agency in the Classroom deftly defines student agency, outlines its core constructs, and provides practical recommendations for implementation. I believe this text will inspire readers of all instructional orientations to foster greater agency for their primary constituents: the students.”
—Jake Downs, host, Teaching Literacy Podcast; adjunct instructor, Utah State University
“The voices of students and teachers shine through in this book about student agency. Margaret Vaughn defines agency, describes facets of agency, and demonstrates the importance of agency for students and educators. Examples of agency in practice, questions for reflection, and recommendations for practice empower educators to enact and expand agency in their own contexts.”
—Amanda Wall, associate professor, Department of Middle Grades & Secondary Education, Georgia Southern University
“Join me on a journey with Margaret Vaughn and K-12 students like Mae, Jackson, and Quin along with examples from classroom teachers who help us to see agency. Not only do we travel through the pages of this book and understand the complexities of defining agency, we also have the opportunity to walk alongside Margaret as she helps us notice it and understand the impact on not only a student’s learning but also on their way of being in the world. She helps us to see how to put our new understanding of agency to work in our own classrooms in small ways and more comprehensive ways. In the end, we see the imperative in supporting each student’s agentic self - the ultimate act of living in a democratic society.”
—Lori Norton-Meier, professor, University of Northern Iowa
