Determinants of effective schools : Thailand country research review

The review covered five topics: (1) non-traditional instructional methods (e.g., comic books, programmed materials); (2) the use of instructional materials and resources in the classroom; (3) the use of instructional time by teachers and students; (4) factors influencing student retention, promotion, and transition; and (5) physical and other educational resources. This report presents and synthesizes the results of this review in terms of the variables affecting the five basic determinants of educational effectiveness - teacher, student, school, parents, and community. Policy recommendations are that the government: (1) improve the quality of education by improving external economic and social conditions; (2) address the needs of minority students; (3) encourage parent and community participation in curriculum development and teaching/learning activities; (4) establish an equitable system for allocating funds and other resources; (5) improve the educational information system and its use; (6) introduce a nationwide monitoring and evaluation system; and (7) decentralize decisionmaking authority. Research recommendations covered: (1) principals" and teachers" behaviors and performance; (2) the use of educational information systems for planning; (3) the role of curriculum management in monitoring educational quality; and (4) school-community relations.