ATTITUDES OF GRADE 10 APPLICANTS AND GRADE 10–12 STUDENTS TOWARD THE UPPER SECONDARY EDUCATION PROGRAM AT SOMDEJYA LEARNING COMMUNITY DEMONSTRATION SCHOOL, BODHIVIJJALAYA COLLEGE, SRINAKHARINWIROT UNIVERSITY, MAE CHAEM

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate the attitudes of Grade 10 applicants and Grade 10–12 students toward the upper secondary education program at Somdejya Learning Community Demonstration School, Bodhivijjalaya College, Srinakharinwirot University, Mae Chaem. The target groups consisted of 20 Grade 10 applicants for the 2025 academic year and 31 students studying in Grades 10–12 during the 2025 academic year. The research instruments included focus group discussions and questionnaires for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The findings revealed that Grade 10 applicants were motivated to apply because they believed that the school could develop students’ academic knowledge, vocational knowledge, life skills, and individual talents, while also fostering moral values and good citizenship. In addition, positive information about the school received from relatives, friends, and senior students played an important role in their decision to apply. Furthermore, expectations of pursuing higher education at Srinakharinwirot University, the school’s affiliated university, also significantly influenced their decision-making. Regarding the attitudes of Grade 10–12 students toward the educational program, the results indicated that students highly agreed with all aspects of the program. The instructional management aspect received 85.42% (Mean = 4.27, S.D. = 0.09), course content and assessment received 86.32% (Mean = 4.32, S.D. = 0.13), instructors received 86.43% (Mean = 4.32, S.D. = 0.10), learning support resources received 86.31% (Mean = 4.32, S.D. = 0.14), and student development activities received the highest rating at 89.25% (Mean = 4.46, S.D. = 0.11). Moreover, students’ expectations toward the school and their aspirations for higher education were consistent with those of the applicant group.