Influence of Teacher Competency Factors and Students’ Life Skills on Learning Achievement

This research aimed to investigate the influence of teacher competency factors and students’ life skills on student learning achievement. The student learning achievement from the O-Net (Educational Testing Institute, 2002) found to be lower than national average score. A total of 100 teachers and 2,967 students under the Office of Bueng Kan Primary Educational Service Area are involved in this study using multi-stage sampling method. This study employed quantitative method survey design. The data was analyzed by utilizing descriptive and inferential statistic, namely mean value, standard deviation and Hierarchical Linear Model. The result revealed that the overall teachers’ competency level and students’ life skills are at high level (M = 4.18, S.D. = 0.31) and (M = 3.97; S.D. = 0.36) respectively. According to the fixed effect, researchers found that the independent variable teacher competency factor that is curriculum and learning management has positive effect while self-development has a negative effect at 0.05 significant level, the regression coefficient was 0.14625 and -0.14655 accordingly. Besides, morality and ethics in professional code of conduct has influenced on the analytical thinking, decision making, and creative problem solving at significant level of 0.05, the regression coefficient was -0.24505. All of the two independent variables related to teacher competency, can jointly explain the variance of learning achievement for 6.10 percent. In conclusion, school administrators should promote teacher competency and student life skills since these two variables have successfully contributed in student learning achievement.