Development of a Model and Mechanics Integrating Knowledge from the Best Practices of a Professional Learning Community for the Escalation of Educational Quality System in Educational Institutions in Bangkok and the Metropolitan Region

Abstract

The objectives of the research were to 1) explore and analyze data pertaining to prospective educational problems in terms of their causes, contexts, and requirements that might arise in the institutions in the Bangkok and metropolitan region, 2) develop a model and mechanics that represented the best practices for escalating learner, teacher, and personnel competence in the educational institutions, and 3) implement the model and mechanics in sample schools. The sample groups were teachers and school administrators chosen from two small-sized schools in Bangkok and two small-sized schools in Samutprakan province. Data were analyzed by using percentage, mean, standard deviation, and content analysis.

The findings were as follows: 1. The primary educational problem affecting students’ development was their literacy, which had an effect on other subsequent problems at a higher level. When the results of the Ordinary National Educational Test (ONET) were taken into account, the mean score for Thai subject was below the national mean and also lower than 50% of the total score. 2. There were two main parts of the proposed model and mechanics for educational institutions. The model itself consisting of five components: 1) principles, 2) objectives, 3) eight-step process including (3.1) assigning committee panel, (3.2) organizing meeting, (3.3) establishing agreements, (3.4) organizing workshops, (3.5) triggering by a treatment based on PLC operational cycle (adapted AKASAH Process), and (3.6) supervising instructions, (3.7) assessing the results, and (3.8) identifying the emerging problems and setting up another workshop, 4) evaluation, and 5) conditions or contexts of how the proposed model and mechanics being applied. 3. The result of the proposed model and mechanics application indicated that the students from both Wat Ko Lad school and Thammasrisuwannadit school had higher competence after experiencing the model and mechanics. It appeared that their Thai language literacy score from the ONET was higher than the national mean. The scores of the students from Thammasrisuwannadit school were considerably higher than those from Wat Ko Lad school. According to the overall findings, the proposed model and mechanics for enhancing learner, teacher, and personnel competence in educational institutions were conclusively effective for implementation in the schools administered by educational service area offices across the country.