Abstract:
Purposes of the Study: The primary purpose of this study was to compare the perceptions of Teachers College Environment (TCE) in the Northeastern Region of Thailand as held by teachers and Students. The study was intended to investigate whether these perceptions differed significantly among teachers and students of the eight teachers colleges. Method and Procedures: A survey method was used in which 1,456 rating scales typed were sent to teachers and students in eight teachers colleges in the Northeast. Subjects were selected by stratified random sampling technique 1,414 questionnaires (97.12 percent) were completed and returned. The data were analyzed to determine the status of teachers and students by using percentage analysis, and opinions by using means, standard deviation and t-test. Research Conclusions : The result of the study indicated that : (1) teachers scores of TCE were lower than students. (2) Among various aspects of the TCE scores of both teachers and students, classroom environment was the highest, while (3) administration was the lowest, (4) among eight teachers colleges, Buriram Teachers College had the highest means of TCE scores in all aspects, and of both teachers and students, while Surin Teachers College had the lowest scores in all aspects of both teachers and students. In comparing teachers and students perceptions according to the hypotheses this study indicated that : (1) the overall teachers TCE scores in the old colleges were significantly different from students at the .01 level, (2) the teachers TCE scores in the new colleges were not significantly different from students, (3) among colleges in the municipal vicinity, the overall teachers TCE scores were significantly different from the students at the .05 level, and (4) among colleges out of the municipal vicinity, the teachers TCE scores were significantly different from students at the .01 level. In comparing teachers seores among eight teachers colleges, the result of the study indicated that: (1) teachers total TCE scores of old colleges were not significantly different from those in new colleges, (2) teachers total TCE scores in the municipal vicinity colleges were not significantly different from those out of the municipal vicinity colleges. Among student populations, the result indicated that : (1) students total TCE scores in old colleges were not significantly from those in new colleges, (2) students total TCE scores in the municipal vicinity were not significantly different from those out of the municipal vicinity. Recommendations : It was determined through the study results that the improvement of TCE in the northeastern teachers colleges should be considered, especially in the area of administration environment. Consequently, the researcher suggested that the administrators should attend seminars on their roles in teachers and students developments. And finally the greatest emphasis should be placed on teacher training policy leading not only to the quantity aspects but also quality aspects as well.