THE MODEL OF ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATION FOR EXCELLENCE OF OPPORTUNITY EXPANSION SCHOOLS UNDER THE OFFICE OF SONGKHLA PRIMARY EDUCATIONAL SERVICE AREA 3

Abstract

This qualitative research aimed to 1) examine the success factors in academic administration toward excellence of opportunity expansion schools under the Office of Songkhla Primary Educational Service Area 3, and 2) develop an academic administration model for excellence in opportunity expansion schools. The study was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 explored success factors from five case-study schools whose Grade 9 O-NET scores had been higher than the service area average for three consecutive academic years and ranked first in each district. The key informants consisted of nine school administrators, deputy directors, or heads of academic affairs, selected through purposive sampling. The instruments were a semi-structured interview form covering eight areas of academic administration and a document analysis form. Data were analyzed through content analysis, thematic categorization, thematic summarization, and analytical description, with trustworthiness ensured through triangulation. Phase 2 developed the model by synthesizing findings from Phase 1 with related documents and research, followed by a focus group discussion with seven experts and experienced practitioners. The instruments were the draft model and a focus group discussion guide. Data were analyzed through content analysis by classifying consensus, additional suggestions, and revision issues before synthesizing the final model.

The findings revealed that 1) the success factors in academic administration toward excellence consisted of participatory and data-informed management, instructional leadership, information-based decision-making, context-based curriculum development, active learning, continuous teacher development and supervision, internal quality assurance, and educational technology integration. These factors functioned as an interrelated system for enhancing student quality. 2) The developed model was titled “SYNERGY FOR EXCELLENCE: Integrating Collective Power to Enhance Educational Quality in Opportunity Expansion Schools.” It consisted of five components: principles, objectives, model content, implementation, and evaluation. The model was driven by six core mechanisms: instructional leadership, participation and teamwork, learner-centered learning management, information-based administration, continuous teacher development and supervision, and context-responsive flexible administration.