The analysis of factors affect stakeholders’ decision for choosing schools: A study in Taiwan

This study attempted to investigate the possible factors that would affect parent’s decision on choosing the school for their children. Two hundred and two (N=202) parents from central Taiwan were selected and invited to participate in this study. Factor Analysis and the Response Surface Model (RSM) were utilized to examine the seven propose research hypotheses on the basis of a self-developed questionnaire. Cronbach αand Exploratory Factor Analysis was used to examine the reliability and validity of the questionnaire and it was proved to be a reliable and valid instrument. The results showed that the research hypotheses on the influence factors of “the image of a school,” “campus security,” “location of the school” and “parents’ satisfaction toward the quality of education children receive at the school” caused to parents; decision making were partially sustained. Hypotheses on the effect of parents’ SES and students’ academic achievement toward their choosing schools for their children were sustained while “the atmosphere of a school” did not be discovered as a significant factor in decision-making process.