How can we promote the learning and well-being of all students, especially those who come from some of the most disadvantaged backgrounds? Anindya Kundu argues that we can fight against deeply rooted inequalities in the American educational system by harnessing student agency - each person's unique capacity for positive change.

Contents (Tentative) Foreword Pedro A. Noguera Acknowledgments Prologue: Welcome to “American Dilemmas” Introduction: From Seeing Roses in Concrete to Believing Schools Are Gardens 1. Rugged Individualism and the Co-Option of Grit Individual Outcomes are Largely Products of “Social and Cultural Reproduction” Swim Tests and Afro-Puffs Getting to Agency: Limitations of Grit in Fully Explaining Achievement 2. Agency as a Foundational Sociological Concept A Classic Sociological Debate and Finding a Balance through Grit and Agency Studying Exceptional Cases to Broaden the Understanding of Disadvantage Agency Re-Defined and Operationalized 3. The Home and Family Parenting Amidst Structural Limitations “Growing Up Too Soon”: Immense Responsibilities and Nuanced Effects on Agency Young Parents: An Amplifying Effect on Agency and Grit Conclusion 4. The Social Environment and School Settings Social and Cultural Capital Revisited: Essential Ingredients to Success Mentors and Networks: Improving Students’ Worldviews, Senses of Self, and Help-Seeking Behaviors Conclusion 5. The Ever-Evolving Human Purpose: A Component of Passion and a Basis for Developing Grit and Agency Giving Back to Make Positive Change: A Form of Positive Resistance Faith: Reaffirms Purpose, Hones Focus and Fuels Agency Mental Health, Wellness and Fulfilment Benefit from Monitoring and Social Supports Understanding Burnout from a Social Perspective Guided Self-Reflection can Help a Person Re-Realize Their Passions and Agency Conclusion 6. Conclusion: Fighting the Normalization of Failure Shifting Paradigms About What’s Possible Recommendations for Fostering Grit and Agency Appendix: Positionality, Research Design, and Conceptual Framework Why I Research Research Positionality Methodology Addressing Limitations and Looking Forward Participant Reference Table Photos References Index About the Author

“Expertly written, organized and presented, The Power of Student Agency: Looking Beyond Grit to Close the Opportunity Gap is an extraordinary and highly recommended addition to school district, college, and university library Teacher Education collections.” —Midwest Book Review

"Kundu’s book is much more than simply an academic contribution to the vast literature on education and social mobility. If his core ideas are taken seriously, this book can serve as a resource to educators, policymakers, community advocates, and others who seek to address the educational needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged students." —From the Foreword by Pedro A. Noguera, dean, USC Rossier School of Education