While student agency is considered an important aspect of classroom learning, opportunities to support and promote agency can be easily missed. This book addresses the inner dimensions of student agency to show what it is, why it is needed, and how it can be translated into instructional practices. In Part I, Locating Student Agency, Vaughn offers…

This dissertation focuses on three different populations of learners served by typical physics departments: STEM majors within a calculus-based introductory physics course, non-STEM majors within a general education survey astronomy course (Astro 101), and in- service STEM teachers within a professional development workshop. The three studies…

Deploying action research methods this article investigates how students perceive and use attention in undergraduate dance training classes. A main aim of this research has been to develop strategies for encouraging agency in young dancers' attentional choices in order to facilitate confident navigation of the bricolage approaches that make up…

Whitewashedness has been trickling down in language classrooms through assimilation and colorblind practices. These practices have irreversible effects on the psyche of immigrant and refugee learners in K-12 schools. This research study investigates 15 teacher candidates' ideologies regarding colorblindness by empowering them to create…

Caucusing, as a social justice activity, is traditionally implemented to provide an insider space for marginalized persons to share experiences and build a space for belonging and safety by excluding those who hold privileged identities. Within a particular event that combines privileged and oppressed, experiences are uneven, with insiders…

Purpose: We explore youth participation in school decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic, an area that is still underexamined. We use Mitra's pyramid of student voice to explore how students of color shaped decision-making processes during the pandemic shutdown at Sandoval School, a public school in the western United States. We respond to…

Engaging in mental health advocacy as a high schooler has granted the author the unique opportunity to observe some of the most inspiring manifestations of hope that humanity has to offer. Simultaneously, it has opened their my eyes to the systemic underrepresentation and misrepresentation of youth. The author has been mentored by their school…

The current study explores the efforts of one summer youth employment program to provide students with meaningful work experiences and the participants' perceptions of the meaningfulness of their work and its effect on their future orientation. Most of the students in the study were under the age of 18. The Youth Enrichment Services (YES) Summer…

This qualitative research study explores the experiences of four Latina community college students through focused group discussions, incorporating artifacts and vision galleries to unveil their diverse roles. Shifting perspectives, the research questions inform the design of educational interventions addressing psychological distress, mental…

Sociology instructors widely recognize writing as an effective tool for deep learning. However, we argue that deep reading is a prerequisite for effective thinking through writing. To support this argument, we highlight the potential of deep reading teaching techniques, such as concept mapping, to empower students to master class readings and…

Group level assessment (GLA) allows participants or co-researchers the opportunity to voice their opinions on a specific topic while also developing action strategies for change. The purpose of the method is to empower participants and provide them an outlet for sharing their experiences in addition to developing a salient action plan. In this…

Therapy dogs can improve the social and mental health outcomes for children and adolescents. School-based interventions that address social and emotional learning (SEL) can promote children's overall wellbeing and educational outcomes. This study used a qualitative approach to explore children's perceptions of a 12-week therapy dog-assisted SEL…

School climate surveys are commonly used to solicit youth perspectives about their experiences in schools. However, to move climate surveys from solicitation towards a more youth-centered, partnered practice for school improvement, guidance is needed from the youth themselves about how and in what ways they hope adults respond to their survey…

This article shows the results of research on how Polish school space is perceived by students from a refugee background. The study was conducted through participatory photography and narrative interviews with 15 participants (ages 10-16). Action research was the main research strategy. The results indicate that students perceive the school space…

Since 1994, the South African government has committed itself to transforming its entire education system with global initiatives related to inclusive education. One of these changes has seen increased support for deaf students in inclusive education settings, as deaf students are increasingly being educated in mainstream classrooms along with…