Guideline for Driving Small Schools to Gain Acceptance under Prachinburi Primary Educational Service Area Office 1

Background and Aims: His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn prioritizes educational development, aiming to develop Thai people into well-rounded individuals with essential skills for the 21st-century digital era. Educational management must adapt by applying technology. Currently, small schools, which comprise over 50% of all schools under the Office of Basic Education Commission, frequently encounter resource shortages due to allocations based on institutional size. A study of schools under Prachinburi Primary Educational Service Area Office 1 found that management and academic achievement require urgent development regarding digital technology changes, administrative roles, and various readiness aspects. The researcher is therefore interested in studying guidelines for driving small schools toward acceptance. This research aims to 1) study the current conditions of resource readiness, administrative roles, and internal quality assurance of schools under Prachinburi Primary Educational Service Area Office 1, 2) analyze the effects of resource readiness, administrative roles, and quality assurance in the digital era that influence driving small schools toward acceptance, and 3) propose guidelines for driving small schools to build confidence and gain acceptance. Methodology: This study employs mixed-methods research. The population and sample consisted of administrators from 64 small schools under Prachinburi Primary Educational Service Area Office 1, with a total population of 64 people, using the entire population as the study unit. Data collection was conducted using quantitative research methods, followed by multiple regression analysis, and guidelines were developed using qualitative research through in-depth interviews. Results: The research findings revealed that 1) resource readiness, administrative roles, and quality assurance in the digital era under Prachinburi Primary Educational Service Area Office 1 were overall at a high level; 2) driving small schools toward acceptance under Prachinburi Primary Educational Service Area Office 1 was overall at a moderate level; 3) guidelines for driving small schools showed a low positive correlation (rxy = 0.335) with statistical significance at.01 level; 4) multiple regression analysis found that small school readiness (X1) and internal quality assurance in the digital era (X3) were factors significantly affecting guidelines for driving small schools. Conclusion: Small school readiness (X1) and internal quality assurance in the digital era (X3) were factors significantly affecting guidelines for driving small schools.