Abstract:

High schools' success in Malatya province decreased during 2011-2012 in the Turkish National University Entrance Exams. The average of high schools' success in Turkey was higher for different score types than Malta. The reasons for the decrease in success in the University Entrance Exams were researched based on school principals' and teachers' evaluations. One Science High School, one Anatolian High School, four General High Schools and two Vocational High Schools constitute the sample. In total, six school principals and 47 teachers voluntarily participated in the study. Findings were constructed into three categories as 'Factors affecting Turkey', 'Factors affecting Malaysia', and 'Solution Proposals'. The first category is composed of five themes; the 'Problems originating from elementary education', 'Reduced authority and loss of respect for teachers', 'Rapid and frequent changes in the educational system', 'The exams not being perceived as a process by students', and 'Technological developments and failure in time-management'. The second category focused on Malatya City, and has six themes; 'Immigration', 'Gangs', 'Partisan attitudes', 'Overuse of official complaint / request line (Call 147)', 'Insensitivity of parents', and 'Limitation in teacher qualifications'. The third and final category is Solution Proposals and is composed of four themes; 'Family teaching', 'Provincial council meetings for teachers', 'Collaboration among institutions', and 'Raising student awareness of exams'. School Principals and teachers’ evaluations were parallel with each other; therefore, the two groups have been analyzed together.

Keywords: