Abstract:
Purposes of study : The purposes of this study was: 1. To study goals and models of southern teachers colleges. 2. To compare perceptions of administrators and faculty toward goals and models of southern teachers colleges. 3. To compare perceptions between faculty whose fields of specialization are education and other orientations regarding goals and models of southern teachers colleges. 4. To compare perceptions of faculty having different degree levels. 5. To suggest goals and models of southern teachers colleges for the future. Methodology: A survey method was employed in this study to ascertain perceptions of administrators and faculty of southern teachers colleges regarding the goals and models of teacher education. As part of the research that went into the designing of questionnaire, the researcher thoroughly studies the problems, trends, goals, and models of teachers colleges from various research and related literature. Upon an extensive study, the researcher interviewed experts in Thai teacher education in order to procure their perceptions concerning the present status, trends, problems, and models of teachers colleges. After the preliminary study by interviewing and reviewing literature, the author then settled on the instrument that best suited the purpose of this study. Population of this study consisted of administrators and faculty from five teachers colleges in the south, namely, Nakornsrithammarat, Songkhla, Yala, Surattanee, and Phuket teachers colleges. Forty percent of total population or 438 individuals were selected as the sample size for this study. From a total of 438 sent questionnaires, 345 or 78.76 percent of them were returned. Instrument used in this study was constructed by the researcher and was composed of two parts. Part I of the questionnaire is the demographic data which becomes the basis of variables to be studied, age, sex, rank, etc. Part II of the questionnaire is sery of statements pertaining to goals and models of southern teachers colleges to which the respondents were asked to indicate the extent of their agreement and disagreement. In this part, a five-point Likert scale was used. Data analysis: Data obtained from interviewing and literature was used for content analysis. Percentage, means, standard deviation, t-test, one-way analysis of variance and Shaffes methods were used for the treatment of data received from questionnaire returned. Summary of findings: The summary of finding was concluded into two parts, findings from interviewing and documents, and findings concluded from questionnaires returned. Research results from interviewing and documents were:1. The present status and problems of teacher education were affected by socio-economic and political vicissitudes of the nation in the past decade. These geared to a rapid expansion and mass production policy in teacher education without regard to the employment market. 2. The success of the national policy concerning birth control had succeeded but it also lessened the need for teachers as the result, then was an over supply of teachers. 3. Curriculum design for teacher education was not relevant to the need of society 4. Teacher Education Act. 2518 doesnt enhance faculty to carry on other missions than teacher education. 5. Teachers colleges are governed by two centralized organizations. The Department of Teacher Education and Teacher Education Council, and that lacks of autonomy to perform their assigned functions. Research results concluded on the returned questionnaires were: 1. Administrators and faculty perceived that the goals and models of southern teachers colleges, in ranking order, were as follow: instruction of baccalaureats in education, research emphasizing on applied and interdisciplinary research for improving instruction and public service training for teachers and other school personnel. 2. Administrators and faculty perceived that the structure of governance of southern teachers colleges, as ranked by them were: teachers colleges should be governed by the Ministry of University Affairs. They should have autonomy similar to state enterprises. 3. Concerning the governing system, all teachers colleges in the south should have a single board of trustees for policy decisions. 4. Southern teachers colleges should join their efforts with regional universities.5. As viewed by administrators and faculty, there were no significant differences regarding the goals and models of southern teachers colleges. 6. As perceived by faculty in the field of education and other orientations, there were no significant differences regarding goals and models of southern teachers colleges. 7. As perceived by faculty with different degree levels, there were no significant differences regarding goals and models of southern teachers colleges.