The purpose of this study was to determine the strategy of recruiting new students as an effort to improve competitive superiority at MA Nahdlotul Muslimin Undaan Kudus. This field research used a qualitative approach with naturalistic perspective. This study was conducted at MA Nahdlotul Muslimin Undaan Kudus. Researcher used this location because it is a developing private educational institution that tends to have a positive trend in recruiting new students and the ease of access to conduct the research. Data were collected using three techniques, namely: (1) In-depth interviews; (2) Participant observation; and (3) Study of documentation. In analyzing the data, the researcher used interactive model analysis pioneered by Miles and Huberman. The results of this study revealed that there are four strategies carried out. First, PPDB activities of MA were carried out together with Madrasah Tsanawiyah because of one foundation. Secondly, students in grade IX are given easy access if they want to continue their study in MA, such as the registration process, scholarship opportunities and others. Third is utilizing kyai charisma and clerics of the foundation founder. Fourth, recruitment of teaching staff and teacher also considers the domicile factor because they will convey the madrasa information, especially at PPDB.

Islam is a source of civilization for its adherents, in accordance with the conception of the word civilization itself, which means the product of human life activity, whether in the field of politics, economy, social, education and so forth. So Islam as a religion, in its scriptures also gives clues about the things that are needed in human life, although it is not in the language of detailly. Enforcing the application of Arabic Islamic Shari'a into the society such as Indonesia, of course it will create feelings of alienation in religion. As an example is in the case of hijab for muslim woman (<em>muslimah</em>). Arabic or Middle Eastern dress models and veils are dark colors. If these models are used in Indonesian Moslem society, the wearer will look different and become strange in that society. Therefore it is needed to take a wise attitude in implementation the teaching of religion, so that it will be suitable with local culture that is already exists.

<p><em>The curriculum is important in the world of education. Teachers play an important role in the change of a curriculum. Therefore, the determining factor for the successful implementation of the curriculum is the understanding of teachers, the core of the curriculum. This study aims to assess the level of teachers' understanding of the curriculum in 2013 and their responses to those changes. This study used a qualitative approach with interviews as the main data collection techniques. After collecting and analyzing the data, the results are as follows: with respect to the level of understanding of the teachers of the curriculum, would still need to be always serious attention especially by the leadership of the madrasas, such as teachers' understanding of the principles of learning, creation of lesson plans and assessment in accordance curriculum 2013. Regarding the response of teachers to address the changes to the curriculum, that is two some accept and some are refused. Although teachers actually realize that a change or innovation implies the change of a condition long to become better.</em></p>

Subject Teachers working group (MGMP) is an educational organization which purpose is to improve the competence and professionalism of teachers to improve the quality of education. The quality of the Islamic Education (PAI) (MGMP) activities is a dynamic condition interrelated with the administration, teachers, processes and activities that comply with or exceed what expected. The quality of MGMP activities will help build professional competence and indirectly the performance of teachers. This study aimed to prove: (1) The influence of the quality of the PAI MGMP activities on the professional competence of teachers at the State Junior High Schools (SMPN) in Bandar Lampung. (2) The influence of professional competence on teacher performance at the SMPN in Bandar Lampung. (3) The indirect effect of the quality of the PAI MGMP activities on teacher performance at the SMPN in Bandar Lampung. (4) The influence of the quality of the PAI MGMP activities on professional competence with a teacher performance at the SMPN in Bandar Lampung. The approach in this research was quantitative research with the type was survey research. The data analyzed were parametric analysis with multiple linear regression analysis models (Multiple Linear Regression) using SPSS for Windows20.0. Data were collected from each variable separately by filling out a compiled questionnaire. The sample in this study were 57 teachers who were randomly assigned (cluster-random sampling). The results showed that, firstly, there was a significant influence on the quality of MGMP activities on the professional competence of teachers at the State Junior High School level in Bandar Lampung. Secondly, there was a significant effect of professional competence on teacher performance of teachers at the SMPN in Bandar Lampung. Thirdly, there was an indirect effect the quality of the PAI MGMP activities on the performance of teachers of SMPN in Bandar Lampung, and fourth, there is a significant influence on the quality of the PAI MGMP activities on professional competence and the performance of teachers at the SMPN in Bandar Lampung.

<p>Guru  sebagai pendidik adalah seseorang yang memberikan kontribusi kepada masyarakat dan bangsa.  Budaya tinggi dan rendah, kemajuan atau kemunduran suatu masyarakat dan tingkat budaya negara sangat tergantung pada pendidikan dan pengajaran yang diberikan oleh guru. Penelitian  ini mengkaji bagaimana cara memperbaiki kualitas mengajar guru Pendidikan Agama Islam (PAI)  dengan menggunakan metode <em>library  reasearch</em>. Berdasarkan analisis data, diperoleh hasil bahwa cara yang efektif dari pemerintah untuk memperbaiki kualitas mengajar guru Pendidikan Agama Islam (PAI)  adalah dengan memberikan mereka apresiasi atau  penghargaan berupa  sertifikasi  guru. Sertifikasi ini merupakan bukti formal pengakuan formalitas guru yang diberikan kepada guru sebagai tenaga profesional. Untuk itu, gurupun diharapkan mampu meningkatkan kompetensi dan profesionalitasnya.</p><p><strong>kata kunci: kualitas, guru, PAI</strong></p><div class="Section1"><p><em>T</em><em>e</em><em>a</em><em>c</em><em>h</em><em>er</em><em> </em><em>as educator is someone who gives contribution  </em><em>t</em><em>o the society in a country. The culture level and the progress of society lie on the education quality. It can not be separated from teachers’ role. The aim of this study was discussing and finding the way how to improve the Islamic Education  teachers’ quality. The method  used in this study was library research. Based on the data analysis, the result showed that t</em><em>h</em><em>e effective way from government </em><em>t</em><em>o improve the Islamic Education teachers’ quality  is giving the appreciation.  That appreciation  is in the form of teachers’ certification. It can be the formal proof that the government acknowledge them as professional personnel. Hopefully, the teachers are able to improve their competence and professionality.</em></p></div><p><strong><em>Keywords</em></strong><em>: quality, </em><em>tea</em><em>c</em><em>h</em><em>er, Education, Islam, </em><em>S</em><em>t</em><em>ud</em><em>i</em></p><p><strong><br /></strong></p>