Abstract:
The objectives of this research are: 1) to study the state of problems in administration of Thai Buddhist temple schools in the U.S.A., 2) to study strategies in administration of Thai Buddhist temple schools in the U.S.A., and 3) to propose strategies in administration of Thai Buddhist temple schools in the U.S.A. The mixed research methodology was used in the study. The quantitative data were collected from 297 samples by questionnaire and analyzed by percentage, mean and standard deviation. The qualitative data were collected by interviews with 10 experts and group discussions with 10 experts, and the analyzed by content analysis.
The results of the study were found that:
1. The opinion of administrators and teachers towards the state of problems in administration of Thai Buddhist temple schools in the U.S.A. was at a moderate level overall. In details, the highest level was on general administration, followed by budget administration, academic administration and personnel administration respectively.
2. The development of strategies in administration of Thai Buddhist temple schools in the U.S.A. is Strategy Management consisting of 48 strategies. There are 13 strategies in Academic Administration, 13 strategies in Personnel Administration, 12 strategies in Budget Administration, and 10 strategies in General Administration.
3. The proposed strategies in administration of Thai Buddhist temple schools in the U.S.A. based on 48 strategies in Strategy Management obtained from SWOT analysis indicated that; the school vision is to study Buddhist teachings and to preserve Thai arts and culture in accordance with the local culture. The school missions are 1) to provide knowledge in Buddhist teachings to Thai children and Thai youths, 2) to preserve and nurture Thai arts and culture relevant to the local culture. The school goals are 1) Thai children and Thai youths have knowledge in Buddhism and Thai culture according to their ages, 2) Thai children and Thai youths have been encouraged and strengthened in morality and Thai arts, traditions and cultures, 3) Thai children and Thai youths can live their lives based on Buddhist teachings, 4) Thai children and Thai youths are responsible to themselves and society, 5) The role of Thai monks in Buddhist propagation is recognized in the U.S.A., 6) Thai children and Thai youths can communicate in Thai language, 7) Local people participate in school administration, and 8) Thai children and Thai youths understand Thai arts and culture and are able to play Thai classical music and to perform Thai classical dance correctly.