مرور مقاله‌ها

This community service activity reports the implementation of a token economy technique to support attention during English-language learning at LKP Endemic, Warungjayeng, Nganjuk. The activity used a classroom-action-oriented plan–act–observe–reflect framework involving 12 learners. Attention was operationalized through 20 observable indicators grouped into seven dimensions: attention orientation, sustained attention, task engagement, response to instruction, active participation, distraction control, and self-regulation. The intervention combined immediate token delivery, behavior-specific verbal praise, token recording, exchange opportunities, and gradual fading. Descriptive results showed a group mean of 43.92/80 at pre-intervention, 56.08/80 in Cycle I, and 67.75/80 in Cycle II. The absolute increase from baseline to Cycle II was 23.83 points, corresponding to a relative increase of approximately 54.26% from baseline. The largest descriptive improvements were observed in response to instruction, active participation, distraction control, and self-regulation. Cycle I reflection identified the need for more consistent timing of token delivery, more explicit behavior-specific praise, and reduced dependence on external rewards; these changes informed Cycle II through selective token delivery and gradual fading. Because the activity involved a small group without a comparison condition, the findings should be interpreted as descriptive evidence of local implementation rather than as a causal estimate of effectiveness. The findings provide a practical framework for integrating behavioral reinforcement with English-learning activities in a non-formal learning setting.

Background. Emotional adversities and social context may influence romantic relationships and psychological well-being, especially within the LGBTQ+ community. However, the present study does not directly measure stigmatization. Aim. The study aimed to evaluate the interplay between attachment styles, relationship satisfaction, and psychological well-being, while considering the distinctions between LGBTQ+ individuals and their heterosexual counterparts. Methods. A quantitative correlational methodology was employed for the study, utilizing a stratified sample of 100 participants: 40 LGBTQ+ individuals and 60 heterosexuals. Standardized instruments were utilized to assess attachment styles, relationship satisfaction, and psychological well-being (ECR-S, RSI, PWB). Statistical processing included MANOVA, correlation and regression analysis. Results. The findings revealed significant disparities in the distribution of attachment styles between groups. The LGBTQ+ group showed higher rates of anxious attachment (35% vs. 23%; p=0.046) compared to the heterosexual group. Secure attachment was positively correlated with both relationship satisfaction (r=0.72) and well-being (r=0.65), whereas avoidant and anxious-avoidant styles exerted a detrimental effect on these indicators. Discussion. The obtained results underscore the critical importance of secure attachment in fostering emotional stability and harmony within relationships. This is kept but moved slightly later and presented as a cautious interpretation, not a finding. Conclusion. The study emphasizes the significance of cultivating a secure attachment style by ensuring emotional safety and adaptive strategies in relationships. The findings contribute to the enhancement of psychological support programs aimed at enhancing relationship quality and well-being across diverse social groups.

Caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders experience significant multifaceted burdens. However, little qualitative research has been done to explore caregivers’ lived experiences in relation to the effect of burden and coping strategies in the study area. The study sought to investigate caregivers’ awareness problems, coping mechanisms, and support systems in caring for children with neurodevelopmental disorders in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The study was conducted in three public, non-teaching hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Using a descriptive phenomenological technique. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 purposively selected caregivers. The data was analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework technique. The analysis found six interrelated themes: Awareness and Perception of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs), Emotional Responses to Diagnosis and Adaptation, Caregiving Roles and Responsibilities, Multidimensional Burden and Challenges, Coping Strategies and Adaptation Mechanisms, and Support Systems and Structural Barriers. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory was used to explain how personal, institutional, and systemic factors explain participants’ experiences and interpret caregiving realities. These findings underscore the call for integrated and collaborative efforts to address individual and system-level challenges among caregivers. Enhancing support systems, mitigating stigma, and correcting systemic inadequacies can improve caregiver well-being and optimize care for children with NDDs.

Background: Examinations can trigger stress related to performance expectations, uncertainty, and the consequences of receiving a particular grade. Stress may be especially salient for students seeking the highest grade and for students who need a minimum passing grade to complete a course. Objective: To outline a comparative investigation of pre-examination stress among students at Gori State University and European University, with particular attention to students aiming for an A (91–100 points) and students for whom an E-range result (51–60 points) may be sufficient to complete the subject. Methods: The proposed cross-sectional study includes 50 students, 25 from each university. A brief questionnaire should record perceived stress before the examination, grade-related expectations, perceived consequences of the result, and basic demographic/academic variables. Results: The numerical example in this draft is illustrative only and does not represent verified participant data. It demonstrates a reporting structure in which stress scores are compared by university and by grade-related concern. Conclusion: Grade-related expectations and fear of failing may represent different pathways to examination stress. Actual conclusions require analysis of the completed dataset.

Background: Examination periods can coincide with psychological stress, sleep difficulties, and uncertainty about academic performance. Students may continue to feel tense while waiting for results or further assessment, particularly when they are unsure how well they answered the examination questions. Objective: To describe students’ reported stress and sleep difficulties before and after examinations at Gori State University and European University, and to explore themes appearing in anonymous open-ended questionnaire responses. Methods: The study is described as a comparative questionnaire study involving 50 students, with 25 participants from each university. Anonymous questionnaires were administered before and after an examination. The questionnaire asked about stress, sleep, feeling tired or sleepless, waiting for further assessment or results, and students’ perceptions of how they had answered the test. Results: The preliminary account supplied for this draft indicates that sleep difficulty associated with stress and concern while waiting for further assessment were recurring concerns in open-ended responses. The initial estimate was approximately 5% of students reporting satisfaction with their answers. With 50 participants, the closest possible whole-person counts are 2 students (4%) or 3 students (6%); the original questionnaires must be checked to establish which count is correct. No further frequency estimates or statistical tests are reported because participant-level data were not provided for analysis. Conclusion: Anonymous pre- and post-examination questionnaires may help educators identify students’ concerns about sleep, stress, and uncertainty. Findings should be interpreted as preliminary until response counts, scoring procedures, ethics information, and the exact number of students reporting satisfaction are verified.

Teacher performance is a key determinant of educational quality and the successful implementation of learning processes. Among the factors that may influence teacher performance are the adequacy of educational facilities and infrastructure, as well as the quality of the working environment. This study aims to examine the influence of facilities and infrastructure, together with the work environment, on teacher performance at SMA Negeri 1 Batukliang Utara, Central Lombok Regency. A quantitative approach with a descriptive research design was employed. The study involved all 33 active teachers using a total sampling technique. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale and analyzed using multiple linear regression with IBM SPSS Statistics version 26. The findings reveal that facilities and infrastructure do not have a significant partial effect on teacher performance (β = 0.017; p = 0.933), whereas the work environment has a positive and statistically significant effect (β = 0.770; p = 0.003). Simultaneously, both independent variables significantly influence teacher performance (F = 10.840; p < 0.001), explaining 41.9% of the variance in teacher performance, while the remaining 58.1% is attributable to other factors not included in the research model. These findings indicate that a supportive and conducive work environment plays a more substantial role than educational facilities in improving teacher performance. Therefore, school management should prioritize the creation of a positive work environment while continuing to improve educational facilities to support teachers' professional responsibilities.

We examine whether a top-up school grant for Ethiopia's emerging regions, introduced under GEQIP-E in 2018/19, narrowed mathematics learning gaps. Difference-in-differences estimates using Grade 4 data from the RISE Ethiopia survey (2018/19–2021/22) show relative gains of 0.42–0.52 standard deviations, largest among rural and poorer children. Results hold with regional controls, gain scores, school-level models and school fixed effects, but shrink under region-specific trends. About half of each gain reflects emerging regions avoiding a post-2018 decline elsewhere, so the estimates are upper bounds for the top-up alone. School leadership, community participation and teacher knowledge appear to be key channels.

این پژوهش بررسی می‌کند که آیا اعطای کمک‌هزینه تکمیلی به مدارس در مناطق در حال ظهور اتیوپی، که در سال تحصیلی ۲۰۱۸/۱۹ تحت برنامه GEQIP-E معرفی شد، شکاف‌های یادگیری ریاضیات را کاهش داد یا خیر. برآورد‌های تفاوت-در-تفاوت‌ها با استفاده از داده‌های پایه چهارم از نظرسنجی RISE Ethiopia (۲۰۱۸/۱۹–۲۰۲۱/۲۲) نشان‌دهنده کسب‌کردن‌های نسبی معادل ۰.۴۲ تا ۰.۵۲ انحراف معیار است که بیشترین میزان آن در میان کودکان روستایی و فقیرتر مشاهده شد. نتایج با کنترل‌های منطقه‌ای، نمرات کسب‌کردنی، مدل‌های سطح مدرسه و اثرات ثابت مدرسه پابرجا هستند، اما تحت روندهای خاص منطقه‌ای کاهش می‌یابند. حدود نیمی از هر کسب‌کردن ناشی از آن است که مناطق در حال ظهور از افت پس از سال ۲۰۱۸ که در سایر مناطق رخ داد، در امان ماندند؛ بنابراین این برآورد‌ها کران‌های بالایی برای کمک‌هزینه تکمیلی به تنهایی محسوب می‌شوند. به نظر می‌رسد رهبری مدرسه، مشارکت جامعه و دانش معلمان کانال‌های کلیدی باشند.

Despite the recognized importance of youth participation in agricultural production for food security, Cash crop production and rural development, its engagement among youth in Tanzania remains remarkably low. In Badugu Ward, Bariadi District, for instance, only about 30% of youth participate in agricultural production despite abundant family land. This study explored the influence of land inheritance systems on youth participation in agricultural production in Badugu Ward, Bariadi District in Simiyu Region, Tanzania. Employing a qualitative research approach, the study focuses on the lived experiences of thirty (30) youth participants selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through interviews, Focus Group Discussions and observation, analyzed thematically following Braun and Clarke's (2006) six-step framework. Findings reveal that decisions are heavily influenced by elders authority, clan norms and gendered inheritance practices, where the credibility of family elders and the rigidity of cultural norms significantly shape youth access to land. Notably, social pressures, particularly from elders and male family members, discourage youth, especially women, from claiming land. Recommendations emphasize enhancing community engagement through consistent communication, education initiatives, and leveraging peer testimonials to foster trust and mitigate uncertainty about land transfer. Overall, the study highlights the complexity of socio-cultural dynamics in agricultural land access and suggests that effective strategies for promoting youth participation must address these collective influences.

علی‌رغم اهمیت شناخته‌شده مشارکت جوانان در تولید کشاورزی برای امنیت غذایی، تولید محصولات زراعی پول‌ساز و توسعه روستایی، مشارکت جوانان در تانزانیا به‌طور قابل‌توجهی پایین است. برای نمونه، در واد بدوگو، منطقه باریادی، تنها حدود ۳۰٪ از جوانان در تولید کشاورزی مشارکت دارند، با وجود زمین‌های خانوادگی فراوان. این پژوهش تأثیر سیستم‌های ارث‌بری زمین بر مشارکت جوانان در تولید کشاورزی را در واد بدوگو، منطقه باریادی، در منطقه سیمییو، تانزانیا بررسی کرد. این مطالعه با به‌کارگیری رویکرد پژوهش کیفی، بر تجربیات زیسته سی (۳۰) شرکت‌کننده جوان که از طریق نمونه‌گیری هدفمند انتخاب شده‌اند، تمرکز دارد. داده‌ها از طریق مصاحبه، بحث‌های گروهی متمرکز و مشاهده جمع‌آوری و با دنبال کردن چارچوب شش‌مرحله‌ای براون و کلارک (۲۰۰۶) به‌صورت تماتیک تحلیل شدند. یافته‌ها نشان می‌دهد که تصمیم‌گیری‌ها به‌شدت تحت تأثیر اقتدار بزرگان، هنج‌های قومی و شیوه‌های ارث‌بری جنسیت‌محور است، جایی که اعتبار بزرگان خانواده و انعطاف‌ناپذیری هنج‌های فرهنگی به‌طور قابل‌توجهی دسترسی جوانان به زمین را شکل می‌دهند. به‌طور قابل‌توجهی، فشارهای اجتماعی، به‌ویژه از سوی بزرگان و اعضای مرد خانواده، از جوانان، به‌ویژه زنان، برای مطالبه زمین باز می‌دارد. توصیه‌ها بر افزایش مشارکت جامعه از طریق ارتباطات مستمر، ابتکارات آموزشی و بهره‌گیری از گواهی‌های همتایان برای تقویت اعتماد و کاهش عدم قطعیت درباره انتقال زمین تأکید دارند. در مجموع، این مطالعه پیچیدگی پویایی‌های اجتماعی-فرهنگی در دسترسی به زمین‌های کشاورزی را برجسته می‌کند و پیشنهاد می‌دهد که راهبردهای مؤثر برای ترویج مشارکت جوانان باید این تأثیرات جمعی را مورد توجه قرار دهد.

This reflective essay examines the establishment of the Research Guild in King’s Digital, a department at King’s College London specialising in online and blended postgraduate education. The Research Guild is an internally created, mentor-supported community of practice designed to help professional services staff engage more confidently in educational research and scholarship. Using an autoethnographic approach and a systems thinking lens, I explore how the Guild emerged in response to a recurring pattern: teams highly effective at delivery but lacking time, infrastructure and perceived legitimacy to undertake inquiry. The essay describes how mentoring through the ALT ELESIG Scholar Scheme, a training needs analysis survey and three structured development pathways (literature review, conference participation and research projects) combined to make evidence-seeking feel more normal, safe and worthwhile. I highlight key outcomes and persistent tensions around time, equity and sustainability, arguing that staff development is most transformative when treated as a deliberately designed ecosystem of scaffolds, feedback loops and shared identity rather than a series of isolated activities.

Student retention, graduation, and employment are major outcomes in higher education. They reflect the effectiveness of the institution in shaping the future workforce. Thus, this study examined undergraduate retention, graduation, and employment in 2020-2024. The Divisions of Academic Affairs, Registration, and Planning provided secondary data on 9 issues: admission plans, enrolment reporting, course registration, leave of absence, academic results, loss of student status, retention, graduation, and employment status. The study found that most students who lost status were from large northeastern institutions and were reported for portfolio round enrolment. They had low entrance academic performance. Most students in this cohort had GPAXs between 0.00 and 0.99 in 2024, with the lowest being 1.19. The Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies lost the most students. Mahasarakham Business School had the most, mostly first-year students. Many retained students came from big northeastern schools and reported for enrolment in the Portfolio round, followed by the Quota round. The mean entrance GPAX was 3.27, and the mean current GPAX was 2.34. The Faculty of Nursing had the greatest retention rates in the second and third years. Pharmacy and veterinary sciences had the highest retention rates in the fifth year and above. Most students who graduated within the curriculum's timeframe came from major northeastern schools and reported for portfolio round enrolment. Most students graduated on schedule, usually in the second semester. Large-school graduates worked largely in the northeast. The Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies had the greatest employment rate, whereas Mahasarakham Business School had the most employed graduates. Overall, 94.92% of graduates found work within a year. At 100.00%, the Faculty of Medicine achieved the greatest employment rate in its field.

In the training of accounting professionals, the integration of ideological and political education and employment education is an important way to implement the fundamental task of moral education and enhance students' professional competence. However, there are still some outstanding problems in the process of integration, such as the separation of objectives, the disconnection of content and the lack of coordination between subjects, which restrict the training effect of the comprehensive quality of accounting talents. From the four dimensions of system design, concept cognition, resource allocation and operation mechanism, the causes of the problems are analyzed. Finally, the countermeasures and suggestions corresponding to each cause are put forward : improving the integration system and evaluation system, reshaping the concept of collaborative education, optimizing the allocation of teachers and platform resources, and improving the normal linkage operation mechanism. The purpose of this study is to provide an operable practical reference for the accounting profession to construct an educational model of deep integration of ideological and political education and employment education.

This study aimed to develop an Islamic Theology and Ethics learning module for Islamic Junior High Schools (Madrasah Tsanawiyah, MTs) based on tazkiyatun nafs (purification of the soul) for prospective Islamic Religious Education (IRE) teachers using the ADDIE development model. The research employed a research and development approach comprising five stages: analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. The participants were 22 prospective IRE teachers enrolled in the Islamic Religious Education Materials for MTs course at STAI Al-Hamidiyah Bangkalan during the 2025/2026 academic year. Data were collected through expert validation forms, student response questionnaires, student reflections, observations, and documentation. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively using percentages, while qualitative data were analyzed through data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing. The validation results indicated that the module achieved feasibility scores of 91.00% from the subject matter expert and 89.00% from the instructional media expert, yielding an overall average of 90.00%, categorized as highly feasible. Student responses reached 83.18% (366 out of 440), indicating very positive responses. The practical examples received the highest score (86.36%), while the clarity and systematic presentation of the material received the lowest score (80.00%). Student reflections highlighted muhasabah (self-reflection), emotional regulation, moral awareness, and teacher role modeling as meaningful learning experiences. The module offers a contextual learning resource that integrates spiritual purification into Islamic Theology and Ethics education. However, the findings are limited to module feasibility and participants' perceptions and do not establish improvements in pedagogical competence or learning effectiveness. Future research should examine the module's effectiveness using larger samples and structured learning outcome assessments.

This paper examines the significant role played by teachers in fostering the holistic development of students, extending beyond academic achievement to encompass their intellectual, emotional, social, ethical, physical and creative growth. Teachers play a significant role in shaping students’ knowledge, skills, attitudes, values and competencies through effective pedagogical practices, learner-centered approaches and inclusive classroom environments. Their ability to recognize diverse learning needs, encourage critical thinking, nurture creativity and promote social-emotional well-being is essential for facilitating meaningful and comprehensive student development. Furthermore, continuous professional development and adherence to ethical and professional standards enable teachers to respond effectively to the evolving educational needs of learners. However, holistic student development cannot be achieved through teacher’s efforts alone. Educational institutions and school leadership also play a crucial role in establishing supportive, equitable, and inclusive learning environments. The paper highlights the importance of shared leadership, collaborative planning and professional learning communities (PLCs) in strengthening cooperation between teachers and school administration. Such collaborative practices can facilitate the integration of academic learning with life skills, value education, experiential learning and the development of essential twenty-first century competencies; the paper also examines challenges that may hinder holistic student development, including limited resources, time constraints, hierarchical administrative structure and inadequate opportunities for professional collaboration. It argues that fostering trust, effective communication, psychological safety and collective responsibility is essential for overcoming these barriers. The paper concludes that holistic student development requires a collaborative and learner-centered educational ecosystem in which teachers; school leaders and other stakeholders work together to nurture well-rounded, responsible, resilient and lifelong learners.

ABSTRACT Digital transformation in education has encouraged changes in school management, requiring school principals to demonstrate adaptive and visionary leadership and to facilitate organizational change. Transformational leadership is a relevant approach because it emphasizes the ability of leaders to build a vision, provide motivation, encourage innovation, and empower teachers in responding to change. This study aimed to analyze teachers’ perceptions of the principal’s transformational leadership in the digital era at SMAN 9 Mataram based on the dimensions of idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration. The study employed a quantitative approach with a descriptive survey design. The study population and sample consisted of 57 teachers selected using total sampling (census sampling), in which all active teachers were included as respondents. Data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that teachers’ perceptions of the principal’s transformational leadership were in the positive category. The principal was perceived as demonstrating exemplary leadership, fostering motivation, supporting innovation, and paying attention to teachers’ professional development. These findings indicate that transformational leadership is reflected in various leadership practices that support an adaptive school environment in response to educational change and digital transformation. ABSTRAK Transformasi digital dalam pendidikan telah mendorong perubahan dalam pola pengelolaan sekolah sehingga kepala sekolah dituntut memiliki kepemimpinan yang adaptif, visioner, dan mampu menggerakkan perubahan organisasi. Kepemimpinan transformasional menjadi pendekatan yang relevan karena menekankan kemampuan pemimpin dalam membangun visi, memberikan motivasi, mendorong inovasi, serta memberdayakan guru dalam menghadapi perubahan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis persepsi guru terhadap kepemimpinan transformasional kepala sekolah pada era digital di SMAN 9 Mataram berdasarkan dimensi idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, dan individualized consideration. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif dengan desain survei deskriptif. Populasi sekaligus sampel penelitian berjumlah 57 guru yang dipilih menggunakan teknik sampling jenuh (sensus), sehingga seluruh guru aktif dijadikan responden. Data diperoleh melalui kuesioner dan dianalisis menggunakan statistik deskriptif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa persepsi guru terhadap kepemimpinan transformasional kepala sekolah berada pada kategori positif. Kepala sekolah dinilai mampu memberikan keteladanan, membangun motivasi, mendukung inovasi, serta memperhatikan pengembangan kompetensi guru. Temuan ini menunjukkan bahwa kepemimpinan transformasional tercermin dalam berbagai praktik kepemimpinan yang mendukung terciptanya lingkungan sekolah yang adaptif terhadap perubahan dan transformasi digital pendidikan.

Free play is one of the few contexts in which children independently organise their social lives, providing a particularly relevant setting for examining how peer culture is produced and negotiated in everyday interaction. This study explored how preschool children shape peer culture through rules, social relationships, inclusion and exclusion, and shared meaning-making. A focused ethnography was conducted with 21 children aged 3 years 9 months to 7 years 2 months in an established mixed-age preschool group in Croatia. The observational period lasted one month and included 17 observation days. Data collected through observation, field notes, and four focus groups were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The findings indicate that children independently initiate and sustain play, jointly negotiate rules and roles, and create shared symbolic meanings. Group belonging is continually reaffirmed through participation, while temporary forms of exclusion were observed in different interactional contexts, including responses to disruption and restrictions on participation. Educator mediation occurred in some situations in which children did not resolve disagreements independently. The findings position children as competent social actors whose peer culture constitutes a meaningful form of social life and provide contextual insight into how these processes unfold within an established mixed-age preschool group.

Background Assessing dance performance in physical education teacher education (PETE) requires judges to integrate technical and aesthetic qualities. Analytic rubrics make relevant dimensions explicit, whereas Adaptive Comparative Judgment (ACJ) elicits holistic pairwise decisions and produces a relative performance scale. This study compared the outcomes and student perceptions associated with the two approaches. Methods Seventeen pre-service teachers assessed 46 video-recorded student dance performances using an analytic rubric and ACJ. An expert reference was derived from five PETE lecturers who had assessed the performances live using the rubric and subsequently evaluated the video recordings through ACJ. Analyses examined rubric reliability and ACJ precision, convergence between method-derived rankings, student–expert rank alignment, cross-condition rubric score differences, and students’ perceptions of ease of use, usefulness, transparency, and fairness. Results Rubric- and ACJ-derived rankings were strongly associated within the student panel (Spearman's ρ = .863) and the expert reference panel ( ρ = .879). Aggregated student rankings also aligned closely with the expert-reference rankings under rubric scoring ( ρ = .890) and ACJ ( ρ = .888), with no clear difference in alignment between the methods. Aggregated student rubric scores showed high reliability, ICC(2,17) = .955, while ACJ scale separation reliability was .780 for students and .836 for experts. Student video-based rubric scores were, on average, 0.77 points higher than the archived live expert consensus scores. Students perceived ACJ as easier to use but the analytic rubric as more transparent. Perceived usefulness did not differ clearly, while fairness ratings descriptively favored the rubric. Conclusion Analytic rubric scoring and ACJ produced strongly convergent aggregate rankings, and the aggregated student panel differentiated relative performance quality in ways closely aligned with the expert reference under both approaches. However, the methods differed in score interpretation and perceived transparency. The results support considering ACJ as a complementary approach for digitally supported assessment and moderation rather than as a direct replacement for criterion-based summative assessment.

Academic achievement in higher education is associated not only with individual and instructional factors but also with students' social environment. However, evidence on peer environments among Social Studies Education students in Indonesia remains limited, particularly regarding how peer interactions are experienced in academic contexts. This study examines the relationship between peer environment and academic achievement among pre-service Social Studies teachers at the Social Studies Education Study Program, Faculty of Education and Teacher Training, State Islamic University of Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was used. The quantitative phase involved 220 students from a population of 488 students in the 2023, 2024, and 2025 cohorts and was analyzed using PLS-SEM. The qualitative phase involved semi-structured interviews with 15 students selected purposively from the quantitative phase. The quantitative results indicated a positive and statistically significant association between peer environment and academic achievement (β = 0.145; t = 2.123; p = 0.034), although the effect size was small (f² = 0.014) and the model explained 1.5% of the variance in academic achievement (R² = 0.015). The qualitative findings identified four themes: academic behavior modeling, socio-academic support, group learning norms, and positive competitive drive. Together, the findings suggest that peer environment is a contextual factor associated with academic achievement through students' academic behaviors and interactions, rather than a dominant determinant of GPA. The study extends the application of Peer Influence Theory to pre-service Social Studies teacher education by highlighting the academic orientation and quality of peer interactions.