Student Agency Part 1: A Catalyst for Change in New Hampshire Public Schools

Empowering New Hampshire Students to Lead Change in Their Schools

On a fall day in New England, approximately 100 students from 10 New Hampshire school districts gathered at a Concord conference center to explore the transformative power of student agency. Together with their administrators, students began uncovering how their collective voice could reshape their schools. 

Luke, a student from Sanborn Regional High School, shared, “Learning about student agency has inspired me to make a positive change in my school.” His classmate Polas echoed this sentiment: “I’m inspired to leave a lasting mark on my school.” 

The students were accompanied by Sanborn Assistant Principal, Josh White and ELO Coordinator, Kerrie Alley-Violette. Reflecting on the day, Alley-Violette remarked, “Watching students learn how to advocate, lead, and have the power to make positive change in their school community is amazing.”

The student agency project created by the New Hampshire Learning Initiative (NHLI), supported by a grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, was designed to amplify student voice and agency within New Hampshire public schools. Developed by Ann Hadwen and Bari Boivert, the program took inspiration from a guiding quote by Derek Wenmoth (2021) which captures the transformative power of student-driven learning:

Learner agency is about having the power, combined with choices, to take meaningful action and see the result of those decisions. It can be thought of as a catalyst for change or transformation. Learner agency is about students having the understanding, ability, and opportunity to be part of the learning design and taking action to intervene in the learning process to become effective lifelong learners.*

With this vision in mind, NHLI is laying the foundation for a future in which students are empowered to drive meaningful, lasting change within their schools. 

The NHLI Student Agency Project, brought together students from middle and high schools, representing small cities to rural communities. They engaged in meaningful discussions and activities centered on agency, and they explored the concept through human-centered design and began shaping school-based projects they will co-create with administrators and teachers. 

After reflecting on their school experiences, each student group created their own definition of “agency,” which will guide their future work. They also conducted empathy interviews to capture their peers’ aspirations and ensure their projects reflect the interests of the broader student community. 

“I’m really excited for this opportunity to make a change in my school,”  said Robbie, from Sanborn Regional High School. 

This is a two-year commitment, with students spending the first year launching a prototype of their projects, which they’ll have the opportunity to refine and improve in the following year. Students will participate in three meetings throughout the year to develop project management and communication skills, ensuring they can effectively plan, execute, and share their work. They will incorporate essential skills from their schools’ Portrait of a Learner framework into their projects, aligning each initiative with key competencies central to their development as engaged, lifelong learners.

Research links student agency to increased motivation, academic achievement, and positive college and career outcomes. However, fostering true agency requires intentional cultivation; it does not occur naturally. This program operates on the belief that by centering student voice and leadership, schools can become environments where students actively shape their learning pathway. By prioritizing student agency, schools can create environments that enable students to take ownership of their learning and develop the skills they need for success in school and beyond.

If your school is interested in joining the project’s second cohort, contact Ann Hadwen or Bari Boisvert via email.

*Wenmoth, D., Jones, M., & Dimartino, J. (2021). Agency by design: Making learning engaging. Aurora Institute.