Agents of Impact: How Education Can Empower Students to Change Themselves, Their Communities, and Their World

By G. Williamson McDiarmid, Ronald A. Beghetto, Yong Zhao

Empower students to take charge of their learning and make a meaningful impact. This resource emphasizes the importance of student agency, highlighting how schools can help students recognize their potential, set goals, and create lasting change in their lives and communities. It advocates for education reform that focuses on student-centered learning and purpose in an ever-evolving world.

Readers will: Validate students' potential and capability with increased autonomy in their own learning Build networks between schools and families to support student learning and belonging Encourage active pursuit or creation of opportunities to nurture student interests and aims Train students in ethical considerations and applications of AI technology Empower students with greater self-confidence in their search for purpose and belonging
Contents:
Introduction
Chapter 1: Scale of Impact
Interlude I: Time, Energy, and the Promissory Note of School
Chapter 2: What Students Need to Make an Impact
Interlude II: Impact, Motivation, and the Illusion of Deferred Impact
Chapter 3: The Exercise of Agency
Interlude III: Impact, Agency, and Purpose
Chapter 4: Schools, Families, and Policy as Contexts for Student Agency
Interlude IV: Freedom From Systemic Limits
Chapter 5: Opportunity Finding
Interlude V: Risk Taking, Opportunity Finding, Agency, and Creativity
Chapter 6: Promising Approaches to Prepare Students to Make an Impact
Interlude VI: Uncertainty and Struggle as Catalysts for Curiosity and Creativity
Chapter 7: Impact in the Age of AI
Interlude VII: Conformity, Technology, and Ethical Considerations
Epilogue
References and Resources
Index

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1958590517
• ISBN13: 9781958590515
• Release Date: August 2025
• Publisher: Solution Tree
• Length: 240 Pages