Factors Influencing Students' Decisions in Choosing Elementary Education Study Programs in Indonesia
Factors Influencing Students' Decisions in Choosing Elementary Education Study Programs in Indonesia

Summary/Abstract: Background/purpose. This study aims to examine the validity and reliability of factors influencing students' decisions in selecting the elementary education study program and to identify the most dominant factor. Materials/methods. This quantitative study employed a cross-sectional design involving 722 students from various universities across multiple Indonesian islands. Data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Results. The findings indicated that students' decisions to enroll in the elementary education study program were influenced by five key factors, represented as latent variables with 20 valid indicator items. CFA confirmed the alignment between these indicators and their respective latent variables through multiple goodness-of-fit tests using both first-order and second-order models. The average variance extracted and heterotrait-monotrait ratio values confirmed the validity of all indicators, while the composite reliability values demonstrated high reliability across all variables. The most dominant indicators influencing the latent variables were the acquisition of information from the socialization of the elementary education study program conducted in schools; the spacious, comfortable, and clean lecture building of the elementary education study program; enjoyment in teaching children; the desire to graduate promptly for employment opportunities; and the goal of graduating quickly. Conclusion. These findings provide valuable insights for universities offering elementary education programs, helping them attract prospective students by addressing the most influential factors.

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