MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR CREATING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIY IN SCHOOLS UNDER THE BANGKOK METROPOLITAN ADMINISTRATION

Abstract

The objectives of this research study were: 1) To study the current and desirable state of management in regard to creating professional learning communities of schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration; 2) To analyse strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the management in regard to creating professional learning communities of schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration; and 3) To develop management strategies to create professional learning communities of schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. The study was a mixed method research and involved a sample of 209 schools and 418 school administrators and teachers. The instruments used in this study were a questionnaire and a strategic evaluation form of feasibility and appropriateness. The data was analysed by frequency, percentage, average, standard deviation, PNIModified and content analysis. The results showed the following: 1) The current state of the management in schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration with respect to creating professional learning communities was overall at a high level ( = 4.10). When considering each attribute, shared leadership and shared decision-making were the highest average ( = 4.31). The desirable state of the management with respect to creating professional learning communities in schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration was at the highest level overall ( = 4.69). When considering each attribute, shared leadership and shared decision-making were the highest average ( = 4.72). 2) The strengths of the management in regard to creating professional learning communities of schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration were shared leadership and shared decision-making and shared vision, mission and goals respectively. Conversely, the weaknesses of the management in regard to creating professional learning communities of schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration were collaboration and shared practice focusing on improving student achievement, the collective learning through inquiry, reflective dialogues and application of learning and the supportive conditions respectively. The management considered technology as the opportunity in creating professional learning communities of schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. On the other hand, the management saw the threats to creating professional learning communities of schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration as the economic aspect, the political aspect and the social aspect respectively. 3) There are five management strategies involved in creating professional learning communities of schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and these include: (i) School management reform to create professional learning communities of schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration by promoting collaborative team work; (ii) School management reform to create professional learning communities of schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration by promoting collective learning and application of learning; (iii) School management reform to create professional learning communities of schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration by increasing the support of teachers’ capacities and the effectiveness of structural conditions; (iv) School management reform to create professional learning communities of schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration by raising the quality of shared vision, mission and goals; and (v) School management reform to create professional learning communities of schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration by increasing the effectiveness of shared leadership and shared decision-making.