Developing the Administration Model on STEM Education for Schools under the Office of the Secondary Education Service Area 25

Abstract

         The purposes of this research were: 1) to identify the elements and indicators of STEM education administration in schools under the Office of the Secondary Education Service Area 25, 2) to investigate the current and desirable situations on STEM education administration in schools under the Office of the Secondary Education Service Area 25, and 3) to develop the STEM education administration model for schools under the Office of the Secondary Education Service Area 25. The research was divided into 3 phases. Phase 1, five experts were selected using purposive sampling technique to identify both the elements and indicators of STEM education administration in schools. Phase 2, investigation the current and desirable situations on STEM education administration in schools. First step, 260 samples were selected using the stratified random sampling from such various groups as school directors, deputy school directors, heads of academic affairs department, heads of science department, heads of mathematics department, and heads of career and technology department from 84 schools under the Office of the Secondary Education Service Area 25 to answer the questionnaire; next step, study the Best Practice characteristics of STEM education administration in schools under the Office of the Secondary Education Service Area 25, twelve school administrators from 3 different schools were selected using purposive sampling technique to be interviewed. Phase 3, develop the STEM education administration model for schools under the Office of the Secondary Education Service Area 25, nine experts were selected using purposive sampling technique to perform the focus - group discussion in order to reach the finished model. In conducting the research, questionnaire, semi-structure interview, focus-group form, and model evaluation form were used as tools to collect the data. The statistics employed in data analysis were the mean, standard deviation PNI Modified and content analysis.

         The results showed that:

1. there were 5 elements and 27 indicators of STEM education administration in schools under the Office of the Secondary Education Service Area 25. Those elements were; 1) policy formulation and organization planning with 6 elements, 2) curriculum development and learning management with 6 elements, 3) teachers and educational personnel development with 5 elements, 4) supervision and evaluation with 5 elements, and 5) networking for development with 5 elements. The suitability and feasibility of elements and indicators were at high level ( = 4.31).


2. The current situation of STEM education administration was at moderate level ( = 3.41) and the desirable situation was at high level ( = 4.39). Need assessment index was at high level (PNI = 1.43)


3.  The model could be divided into 5 sections as; 1) concept, principles, and objectives, 2) elements of STEM education administration for schools under the Office of the Secondary Education Service Area 25 consisted of five categories which were external environment, input, process, results or achievement, and output, 3) application plan, 4) assessment, and 5)conditions for achievement. Overall, the suitability and feasibility of the model were at high level ( =4.21).