Factors Promoting Student Agency and Community Engagement: Case of a Lebanese Public High School

Abstract

OECD (2019) defined student agency as the ability to set goals, reflect, and act responsibly to endorse change. It is the quality of students’ engagement and interaction with peers, teachers, parents and the wider community. The purpose of this research is to investigate and track the factors of promoting student agency and community engagement leading the change. Thirty nine students at a public high school in Lebanon were trained on STEAM activities such as: coding, robotics, electronics, crafts and 3D printing. Students took the initiative with continuous encouragement and facilitation from the principal and teachers to enrol and lead a community- based STEAM laboratory. A self-reflection questionnaire for students was administered in order to measure the characteristics and processes of the student agency. This case study used interviews, and focus groups in order to track the factors promoting this agency. The results of this study will inspire policy makers and school principals to promote student agencies and community involvement. © 2023 Published by the ISTES Organization