The Playbook for Self-Directed Learning A Leader’s Guide to School Transformation and Student Agency

1. The What and Why of Self-Directed Learning: An Introduction 2. Forming and Weaving Networks of Relationships 3. Focusing on the Whole Child 4. Promoting Student and Educator Choice 5. Facilitating Daily Student Goal Setting 6. Organizing for Student Self-Pacing 7. Empowering Students’ Rule Making 8. Nurturing Exploration 9. Embracing Productive Struggle 10. Facilitating Learner-Led Assessment 11. Designing a Learner-Led Environment 12. Leading School Transformation Appendix

Biography

Dr. Tyler S. Thigpen is CEO of The Forest School: An Acton Academy, The Forest School Online, and Institute for Self Directed Learning in Fayetteville, Georgia, Academic Director at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, and Guest Lecturer at Harvard University Graduate School of Education.

Dr. Caleb Collier is Co-Founder of The Forest School: An Acton Academy in Fayetteville, Georgia, and Director and Head of Research at the Institute for Self-Directed Learning.

Amber Bryant is Assistant Head of School for Learning at The Forest School: An Acton Academy in Fayetteville, Georgia, and Co-Founder of The Forest School and Institute for Self-Directed Learning.

Brittney Toles is Co-Founder, High School Guide, and Assistant Head of School for Culture and Enrichment of The Forest School: An Acton Academy in Fayetteville, Georgia, and Co-Founder of the Institute for Self-Directed Learning.

“What makes a good teacher? It's not so much about what you do, but what you inspire others to do. Whether you are a public or private school leader, teacher or parent looking to actively engage in your child's learning journey, this book clearly identifies the conditions needed to create independent thinkers who are ready to take on the world.”
—Christy Todd, 2024 National Teacher of the Year Finalist, 2024 Georgia Teacher of the Year

“There is no shortage of educational leadership books on the market today. What surprised me about The Playbook for Self-Directed Learning is its focus on learners rather than teachers. Thigpen, Collier, Bryant, and Toles challenge school leaders to rebel against what is considered best practice by allowing—more importantly demanding—that students be given the opportunity to struggle, fail, reflect, and try again. It has been 30 years since I’ve read a book that embraces a constructivist theory of teaching and learning and provides the reader with a roadmap for transforming schools from adult- to child-centered. This is a must-read for educators and parents who want schools that simultaneously focus on academic achievement, character formation, and creativity.”
—Beth Purvis, EdD, Former Secretary of Education, State of Illinois, and CEO, Chicago International Charter School

“What if young people could follow their passions, design their learning, and organize their schooling in ways that helped them flourish as humans and as citizens? In this book, experienced educators who are national leaders in the field of self-directed learning offer us a soup-to-nuts guide in how to make this dream a reality. Chockful of examples, suffused with wisdom, and forthright about challenges, this hopeful yet practical book shows us both why and how students can be put in charge of their own learning. A must read for anyone who wants to transform industrial model schools into places of purpose and passion for both students and adults.”
—Jal Mehta, Professor of Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education

"The Playbook for Self-Directed Learning is THE tool every educator needs to raise up future-ready learners. Fostering motivated, independent, and creative thinkers is not just beneficial, it is essential in our increasingly interconnected world. This book will guide you through creating a self-directed learning environment that equips students with the agency and confidence needed to navigate any endeavor they pursue. Whether you're an educator, parent, or simply curious about the future of education, this book is a must-read."
—Allison K. Cochran, Ed.S, Educational Technology Coach, Lambert High School, Forsyth County Public Schools

“As someone who will soon be designing a new school from the ground up, this is the book I’ve been waiting on. The Playbook for Self-Directed Learning not only gives me the language, frameworks, and case studies to better understand what I want, but also the opportunity to share this Playbook with partners and staff to nurture a shared vision from the get-go. My biggest takeaway is that fostering student agency won’t always be easy—but it will always be worth it. In a nutshell, that’s life . . . and that’s what we should be preparing learners for, after all.”
—Dr. Ali Imad Fadlallah, author, March Forth: From The Prison of Minds

“At a moment of massive social, political, and physical climate change, it's difficult to predict what the future will look like. However, if one thing is for certain, it's critical we prepare our next generation of humans to navigate it with commitment, confidence and purpose. In this book, Thigpen, Collier, Bryant, and Toles lay out a comprehensive, practical, and realistic vision for creating schools where doing this is at the core of teaching and learning. Importantly, this book isn't a theoretical call to action or a general provocation. Rather, it's a playbook for every educator, in every kind of school, addressing head on the very real constraints educators might face as they try to bring self-directed learning to life in their own context. It offers clear and doable strategies and techniques for navigating barriers and enacting a compelling vision and driving real change at a moment when our kids need and deserve it the most.”
—Dr. Beth Rabbitt, Ed.L.D. Chief Executive Officer, The Learning Accelerator

“Finally! And not a moment too soon, The Playbook for Self-Directed Learning is the book we need, and our children deserve. This essential guide is for every educator yearning to fulfill their calling and create learning environments that inspire and empower. Packed with practical strategies that can be implemented immediately, this book will reignite your passion for teaching and equip you with the tools to nurture students into the leaders and innovators they are destined to become. Our future depends on it.”
—Mike Duncan, Ed.D., President & CEO, Battelle for Kids

“I am excited to endorse The Playbook for Self-Directed Learning by Dr. Tyler Thigpen, Dr. Caleb Collier, Amber Bryant, and Brittney Toles. This guide offers transformative strategies for fostering student agency and self-direction, essential for today's evolving educational landscape. By emphasizing the importance of supportive relationships, student choice, and purposeful struggle, this book equips educators with the tools to create environments where students can take charge of their learning and develop the skills needed for lifelong success. The detailed techniques and real-world examples make it an invaluable resource for anyone committed to transforming education and promoting student agency.”
—Caroline Vander Ark, CEO, Getting Smart Collective

“The Playbook for Self-Directed Learning is a terrific, concrete, and practical guide for implementing the kinds of bold changes we need for young people to have real agency in their learning. The authors draw on their deep experience in creating thoughtfully designed learning environments that cultivate agency and self-direction to offer a powerful vision for self-directed learning, backed by concrete strategies and real-world examples. What sets this book apart is its unwavering focus on student agency. The authors convincingly argue that by empowering students to take ownership of their learning, we cultivate not only academic success but also the development of critical life skills like problem-solving, resilience, and a sense of purpose. Our education system needs more spaces where young people are empowered to fully realize their potential so that they can thrive in their future and this book provides a compelling and realistic roadmap for leaders in getting there.”
—Kim Smith, Founder and CEO, LearnerStudio

“The Playbook for Self-Directed Learning pushed me to remember why I got into education in the first place and what education can look like. I get caught up in the current state of education so much that I forget what education can be for students and for all of us! The Playbook not only provides helpful and concrete guidance; it also casts a vision for what we wish education could be for all of our students. And it's not just a wish--it can be a reality as evidenced in the Playbook!”
—Kentaro Iwasaki, Founder, Concentric Math; Co-Chair, Harvard Data Wise Network

“Now more than ever, we need to help learners take charge of their own educational journeys. But to do that, we must transform schooling. This book provides an outstanding resource for doing just that. The authors draw from their own experiences building and leading innovative learning environments and share practical tools and resources. A vital read for educators, administrators, parents, and, yes, students!”
—Jeff Wetzler, co-founder and board member, Transcend; former Chief Learning Officer, Teach For America; co-author, Extraordinary Learning for All: How Communities Design Schools Where Everyone Thrives; and author, Ask: Tap Into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You

“The Playbook for Self-Directed Learning is an incredibly useful tool for any school leader or educator. It's brimming with practical techniques for leaders looking to cultivate learner agency. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to develop self-motivated learners and for educators looking to boost student engagement in their classrooms.”
—Kimberly Dow, Executive Director, Khan Lab School

“The Playbook for Self-Directed Learning by Dr. Tyler Thigpen, Dr. Caleb Collier, Amber Bryant, and Brittney Toles is a transformative guide for educators, leaders, parents, or anyone aiming to revolutionize the way we approach education. This book provides a comprehensive research-grounded and practical roadmap for facilitating and sustaining self-directed learning environments that foster students’ agency, inquisitiveness, and lifelong learning. A perfect balance of lived, hands-on experiences, case studies, research, and theory, The Playbook for Self-Directed Learning is an accessible resource that can be leveraged by schools, families, teacher preparation programs, and even policy makers. It is a call to action to rethink and reshape our educational systems and practices, and provides the actionable steps, as well as the conversational and motivational tone necessary to fuel a powerful movement.”
—Brandi B. Kenner, Ph.D, Founder & CEO, Choice-filled Lives Network; Malcolm Knowles Self-Directed Learning Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, International Society for Self-Directed Learning

“The Playbook for Self-Directed Learning” is a practitioner’s best friend packed with easy-to-operationalize actions. Many are deceptively small shifts that offer promise to kickstart deeper change toward relevant, meaningful, empowering learning for every young person. This playbook illuminates multiple on-ramps for behaving your way into nurturing not only student agency, but deeper educator and parent confidence on the road to becoming facilitators of transformative deep learning.”
—Dr. Leslie Bussey, CEO and Executive Director, Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement

“In a time of growing disenchantment with rote schooling and a one-size-fits-all approach to education, The Playbook for Self-Directed Learning: A Leader’s Guide to School Transformation and Student Agency by Dr. Tyler Thigpen, Dr. Caleb Collier, Amber Bryant, and Brittney Toles offers a refreshing and practical roadmap towards a different future. This isn't a theoretical treatise, but a hands-on guide for educators, administrators, and even parents, outlining a path towards self-directed learning for young people. While many discussions engage in the theoretical and what ought to be, The Playbook gives us a practical way forward, focusing on how to make learning empowering, meaningful, and practical for young people. The authors don’t shy away from the challenges of self-direction and, while acknowledging the constraints of numerous systems of education and the need for a culture shift within schools and learning environments, they provide clear steps and inspiring real-world examples for how the positive shifts can actually be accomplished. The book empowers adults to create spaces where students take ownership of their learning journeys and embark on transformative experiences. The Playbook for Self-Directed Learning provides a compelling vision for learning that nurtures curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning. This is a must-read for anyone who believes in the transformative power of education and wants to take action.”
—Dr. Babak Mostaghimi, founding partner, LearnerStudio; former Assistant Superintendent, Gwinnett County Public Schools, Georgia

"This is the book I needed as an educator and parent! Our future depends on raising self-directed learners, but our schools (and many of our parenting books) not only fail to provide an opportunity, but often work against self-directed learning. Tyler, Amber, Caleb, and Brittney have done a fantastic job of providing a detailed description of both the philosophy and practice of self-directed learning. I look forward to re-visiting many of its chapters as I continue my own journey as a parent of adults, educational consultant, and (hopefully) future grandparent. Life just got a little more glorious."
—Dr. Jason Lustig Yamashiro, retired northern California superintendent; parent of three; and founder, Joyful Learning Network

"The Playbook for Self-Directed Learning is an essential read for anyone committed to empowering kids through education. With a relentless focus on the needs of children, this book transcends constraints, offering actionable insights and clear purposes. It masterfully breaks down the complexities of fostering self-directed learning, providing a comprehensive framework that ensures every reader can grasp the 'why' and 'how.' An invaluable resource for creating meaningful educational opportunities, it is a beacon of hope and practical guidance in the evolving landscape of learning.”
—Nikolaus Namba, Managing Partner, Transcend; former Director, 21st Century Learning at Lindsay Unified School District; former Chief Academic Officer, Ingenium Schools; co-editor, Beyond Reform: Systemic Shifts Toward Personalized Learning

“As a San Francisco public school system leader, I remember having a conversation with Dr. Richard Elmore years ago about coherence and capacity building in PK-12 school systems. When I asked him what he was really excited to see in the future of teaching and learning in all classrooms, he paused, then shared the following paraphrased thoughts, “Students should be engaged, involved, and in charge of their learning with an ability to monitor their own progress and provide input on learning design. They should be cognizant of learning objectives and work towards meeting those goals in meaningful, relevant ways. They should be able to move around and access vital resources while learning. Teachers should be facilitators of learning, working alongside students.” What does this really look like in schools? This Playbook shows us practical ways to increase student agency and transform schools through learner-led spaces while centering equity and excellence. Highly recommend it!!”
—Dr. Bonnie Lo, Harvard Graduate School of Education (Education Consultant, Teaching Team Member & Research Design) and PK-12 School Systems Administrator

“For those seeking ways to empower children to find their voice, nurture their individuality, and motivate them to become independent thinkers and decision-makers, this book is a valuable resource. Rooted in research-based techniques, it provides a toolbox of strategies to increase student-directed learning as educational methods continue to evolve. The impact of COVID was a wake-up to both parents and educators and prompted a renewed focus on the current educational model. This book serves as a call to action, outlining strategies to empower students toward self-directed learning. This book is clear, concise, and easy to read. It discusses the development of learners and meeting them where they are, building supportive relationships with all stakeholders- including their peers and shedding light on their purpose in life being bigger than themselves.”
—Sharon Reddick, M.Ed., Early Childhood Education; former public school administrator, Gwinnett County, Georgia