Reinforcing the Grade 11 STEM and ABM Students of St.

Scholastica’s

Academy—Tabunok’s Rudimentary Knowledge and Notion on the Humanities and

Social Sciences Strand.

A Research Project

Presented to

The Senior High School Faculty of

St. Scholastica’s Academy

Tabunok, Talisay City, Cebu, Philippines

In Partial Fulfilment

Of the Requirement of the Course

INQUIRIES, INVESTIGATIONS, AND IMMERSION

And

PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1

By 12 St. Walburga

Fernandez, Lei Mykylls Olaybar, James Anthony

Latonio, Lloyd James Emmanuel Mercader, Corinne

Jumao-as, Loryel Sly

 Chapter I

Rationale and Background of the Study

Society would say that modern times call for a modern solution, with that rational

thing in mind, the Philippines has officially adopted the international system of education

known as the K-12 program into its system. The said program has been ratified—and

instated in the Republic Act 10533—on May 15, 2013, as spearheaded by the former

President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III who advocates for the improvement of the

educational equity in the Philippines. Apropos to that, the adoption was made primarily

to enhance learner’s basic skills, produce globally competent and sound individuals,

and prepare graduates for lifelong learning and employment, since most of the other

countries have long been applying the said system, countries in the likes of US (where

the program originated), Japan, South Korea, Australia, India, and, Canada, to name a

few.

The K-12 program operates through immersing learners from Kindergarten to 12

years of basic education, which covers: 6 years in Elementary; 4 years in Junior High

school; and an additional of two years for Senior High school; the SHS being the last

stage is as well as the crucial stage of education, as it is in this stage where learners

are tested and assessed to see if they are well equipped to enter college or work.

Senior High school playing a crucial role in the development of the learner’s

skills, particularly offers the academic and non-academic track as part of the program
chiefly to assess their interests or established preferences in mind. With that, the

moment they proceed to Senior High school, learners will be given adequate choices

that shall respond to their line of interests. Taking Humanities and Social Sciences

strand from the academic track as an example. those learners whose line of interests

reside in the area of understanding human experiences or social events should,

therefore, only be choosing HUMSS as their strand simply because that is what the said

strand focuses mainly on.

However, that could only be possible if learners possess adequate information

and have been subjected to proper orientation regarding the matter—something that

people in the country has failed to acquire. Because of this, some strands are often than

not perceived as of little importance just because they lack knowledge to it, similar to

what has happened to the HUMSS strand as evident in the views of the society.

Discrimination is a complex term in general and it is clearly manifested even in the

senior high school academic strands. One classification of which is strand

discrimination, the act of discriminating a student because of the stigma that one strand

is superior over the other. In a survey conducted by students of a famous university in

the Philippines year 2017, somehow, in some ways society’s views delineate students

from HUMSS strand because of the stigma of widespread assumptions that one’s

intellectual abilities can only be based on mathematical and scientific scale assuming

that mathematics and science is a difficult to pass subjects. According to the results of

the 2003 Trends in International Mathematics and Science study (TIMSS), it shows that

out of the 45 countries who participated in the TIMSS, the Philippines ranked 41st in

Math and 42nd in Science. And in year 2018, the Mean Percentage Score (MPS) of the
mathematics subject in the National Achievement test (NAT) here in the Philippines is

below 50% not passing the required MPS of the Department of Education.

However, despite the statistical results of the student’s competence in Mathematics and

Sciences, according to the report of the Department of Education the number of

students who became interested in the academic strand STEM or Science, Technology,

Engineering and Mathematics has significantly increased to 60 percent all throughout

the year 2018, making the ratio of the numbers of STEM students incredibly higher than

the Accounting and Business Management (ABM) strand and HUMSS academic strand

respectively.

The blemishing spot of claiming that numerical and scientific scale defines a student’s

intellectual capabilities rather than dealing with the other way around causes stain to the

way of thinking of those students that are not fully equipped and aware of the different

academic strand’s focused area of learning, mistakenly judging and confusing the

HUMSS strand as inferior to the other academic strands when it is actually equal to the

others.

With this, the researchers ought to assess and reinforce students’ rudimentary

knowledge on the HUMSS strand by means of a campaign material that shall help them

understand the strand better and avoid misconceptions. This in effect, shall guide them

into choosing their preferred academic track without missing a note.

Theoretical Background

The theories stated will be significant since this study involves the decision-making

process of the respondents. Through these theories, the researchers will be able to

identify the factors that affect and influence career selection of the respondents as this

study goes on.

This study is grounded on the concept of John Holland’s Theory of Career

Choice (1950) that states a person usually made up of all six categories: realistic,

investigate, social, conventional, enterprising, and artistic. This theory also states that

people in search of their career path are often confused because they mix their

dominant type with their other preferences. Through this theory, the researchers would

able to identify the dominant factors and preferences that influence the respondents

why they did not choose HUMSS strand.

Moreover, this research is based on the concept of Albert Bandura’s Social

Learning Theory of Self-Efficacy (1977), which means that a person may exercise

control over his or her thoughts, beliefs, and actions, and that self-efficacy is the

predictor of behavior. He explains that self-efficacy is tied to motivation which is the

most important driver of one’s career development. Another proponent of this theory is

John D. Krumboltz (1976) who theorized that people choose their careers based on

what they know and have learned. He identified four main factors that influence career

choice: genetic influences, environmental conditions and events, learning experiences,

and skills such as goal setting, information gathering, and self-observation. With the

help of this theory, the researchers would able to determine how the respondents’
preferences and skills are acquired and how the respondents select their academic

strand in Senior High School are made.

These theories can be applied by the researchers upon conducting the gathering

of data and interpreting the results of the survey. Anyway, these theories would serve

as pathway for researchers to base the results of their study on.

Figure 1. A Schematic Diagram Presentation on the Theoretical Framework
SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM

Career Theory Social Cognitive Theory

Career Decision Making

Inherent Factors in Career

Decision Making

External Factors in Career

Decision Making

Grade 10 Students

Factors Influencing Factors Affecting Assessing

Academic Preference Decision-making in Respondent’s
Choosing Academic Awareness and
Strand Misconceptions

HUMSS
Promotional Video
 The Diagram shows two theories supporting the research, the Career Theory and

Social Cognitive Theory. The former explains inherent factors that focus on personality,

interests and abilities of an individual and external factors that center on one’s gender,

financial status, nationality and social influence. While, the latter explains how

individuals make career decisions considering the inherent factors and external factors

that give impact on an individual’s self-efficacy and career interests.

Furthermore, the diagram shows the focus target of the research which are the

Grade 10 Students. It also states the problem involve in the research which are the

factors involving academic preferences, factors affecting decision-making in choosing

academic strand, and factors assessing respondents’ awareness and misconceptions.

Lastly, it aims to deliver a promotional video.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to promote the Humanities and Social Sciences Academic strand

through a video as a campaign material and its effectiveness in the chosen Grade 10

students of three private junior high schools around the Talisay City area, namely St.

Thomas Aquinas Montessori - Lawaan I, Divino Amore Academy - Lower Mohon, and

Monterey School Inc. - San Isidro. It seeks to further answer the following:

1. To what extent are the respondents knowledgeable about the Humanities and Social

Sciences strand? / What is the initial knowledge of the respondents on the HUMSS

strand?

2. How did the question in the first number affect their preference in choosing their

strand?

3. What are the factors that influenced the respondents in choosing a strand from the

Academic track?
Significance of the Study

In response to the growing needs of the Filipino citizen particularly in the field of

education, the Philippines have officially adopted and implemented the K-12 program

into its own system. However, it has not been a while since its inception in our country,

which in effect leaving majority of the people still not having a full grasp of the program.

To aid this concern, the researchers conducted a significant study that aims to help

promote the Humanities and Social Sciences – to the Grade 11 school. In return, the

upshots of the research will eventually redound to the benefit of the society especially

among the following:

Educational Institutions. It will help them improve the implementation of the K-12

program.

Students. It will clearly guide them in choosing the specific strand they are interested

in.

Teachers. It will be easier for them to guide their student’s choice of career path and

improve their roles.

Parents. It will clearly help them support their child’s choice and avoid wasting time,

effort, and money.

AGAK Center. It will help them carry out efficiently their responsibility in promoting the

Senior High school program.

Department of Education. It will help them promote their program.

This research will also help future researchers and the community as a whole.
Definition of terms

Academic Track – n. are areas of research interest that students choose to help guide

them in selecting a course of study (Academic Tracks | Texas ECE, 2019).

Campaign Material – n. a medium used to influence people’s choice about something.

Civic Competence – n. equips individuals to fully participate in civic life, based on

knowledge of social and political concepts and structures and a commitment to active

and democratic participation (KEYCONET, 2019).

Promotional Video – n. a video or short film that promotes or advertises something

providing the most information of it in the shortest amount of time.

Theoretical – adj. something that is based on ideals and abstract principles.

 CHAPTER II

REVIEW RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter presents the literature and studies which the researchers believe

are relevant to the concept of the present study.

In accordance with Department of Education Orders No. 41 and 48 series of

2015 dated August 28, 2015, and October 20, 2015, respectively is the full

implementation of a month-long Senior High school Career Guidance Program. The

main purpose of the said program is to guide Grade 10 students in making

knowledgeable decisions regarding their choice of SHS Track in the vision of the

conduct of the SHS Career Guidance Program and Early Registration in preparation for

the full implementation of Senior High School.

The choice of career tracks of the students plays a great role in the preparation

of the schedule for the Senior High School. These career tracks are associated with

career preferences which were the bases in the conduct of the present study. Career

preferences as defined by Martinez and Fuller (1999) relates to the identification of

one's work schedules and activities concerning the talents, skills, competencies of the

individual and with the assistance of the management to allow him/her to take on

greater work and personal responsibility for his/her future. In other words, this is an

individual's ideal career choice to be decided in advance.

In similar studies, research about the factors determining the choice of career

among secondary school students was conducted by the International Journal of

Engineering and Sciences (2013) wherein career selection is one of many important
choices students will make in determining plans. This decision will impart them

throughout their lives. The student’s environment, personality, and opportunity will

determine how students make career choices, then follows how the students perceive

their environment, personality, and opportunity will also determine the career choices

students make. The first factor in career choice, the environment, may influence the

career students to choose. Various environmental factors would lead a student to a

chosen career such as a parent’s educational background, social media, or peer-

relationship. According to Splaver (2000) said “personality” plays an important role in

choosing the right course. A student’s personality must be self-motivated type, as to

explore courses possibilities from early in their lives and not the procrastinating type that

waits till they are forced to decide. (Splaver 2000, p. 12). Opportunity is the third factor

that has formed career choices for students. Opportunity may influence how students

have perceived their future in choosing their particular career fields. The issue of

poverty has played an important responsible role in the opportunities available to all.

A related study conducted by the Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary

Research (2015) about the socio-demographic characteristics and career choice of

private secondary school students. The study looked into the career choice of the high

school students of the different private institutions in San Jose, Batangas as a basis for

developing a career program guide to help the students in choosing their career. As the

proposed career program guide was formulated, the students should be provided with

effective orientation on what career is really all about and can be done by the school

guidance counselor or by the teachers and parents as well and there must be a close-

up tie among the guidance personnel, teachers, and parents to promote a better
understanding of the factors which influence the career choice of the students. This

study also stated that students partake in inadequate information about different career

choices. Some students tend to base their career choice on the result of the aptitude

tests and interest test administered to them while others’ choices are based on their

parent’s preferences, peer influence, role models and the chance of working abroad.

F. Yates, Veinotte, & Patalano (2003) define a decision as a commitment to a

course of action that is intended to produce a state of affairs, that is to say, a student

will choose a course which he/she will be learning throughout his/her college years, and

decision making should take part and should not take for granted. The decision of which

course to take is one of the utmost decisions for a student particularly those who are

graduating Senior high school students.

Witko, Bernes, Magnusson, and Bardick (2006) studies on Senior High School

students' occupational aspirations found out that interests, skill, personal meaning,

challenges, and parental support are variables contributory to the occupational

aspirations of senior high school students.

In like manner with the study of La (2009) on factors influencing the educational

and career choices of Senior High School students revealed that parents’ supports,

school structure, gender and grade point average have considerable influence on the

Vietnamese Senior high school students’ educational and career choice. In the same

year, Leonard (2009) study on high school students' course selection decisions in South

Carolina found out that parents and teachers are highly influential in the course

selection decision.
 A related study conducted by Eremie (2014) about comparative analysis of

factors influencing career choices among Senior Secondary School students in Rivers

State, Nigeria. The result showed that there were significant differences in career

preferences when grouped according to their sex, parity, and parental influence. In

addition, the socio-economic background was influential in participants’ decisions to

pursue a post-secondary degree. Cultural factors, especially English fluency, were also

relevant.

There are common misconceptions present that show how society views the

students from the HUMSS strand. Because of these misconceptions, parents are

reluctant to let their child take the HUMSS strand. The value of the HUMSS strand in

education is seen as ambiguous and irrelevant. Van Den Berg (2015) states that those

that believe in this misconception do not know what direction they want to take in life,

Moreover, Ferrero (2011) supports this as he states the purpose of humanities in

enhancing the lives of students that study it. He also stated that in policy and reform

circles today, the humanistic aims of education are undervalued and their place in the

K-12 program or even college curriculum is by no means assured.

One of the misconceptions examined is the vital skills that are acquired in

Humanities. Pearce (2015) utters that humanities not only assist students in the subject

but also develop them to achieve across the curriculum, as it develops creative, critical

thinking, questioning and reasoning learners. Van Den Berg (2015) supports this view

later in her article by stating that the humanities subjects have worth by equipping

students with critical thinking skills needed in society. Jones (2017) confirms this

misconception by prioritizing Humanities as a subject, as it is through humanities that

students can make connections to why things are the way they are, learn to think

critically and develop a solid foundation for innovation.

A further significant item to consider in the DepEd Order No.41 series 2015 is its

mandate to promote of awareness in the importance of choosing a track that suits their

skills and interest that matches the available resources and needs of society as this will

be a crucial role in planning and recruiting students to engage in the different senior

high school programs. This study aims to appeal to incoming SHS students to give a

second thought to choose the HUMMS strand as their academic track. Therefore, the

concern of this study is to help the incoming SHS students understand and learn more

about the said strand, to address the common misconceptions that the students

speculate about the strand and also to guide them as to what academic track to take in

line with their interests and skills wherein the researchers proposed a promotional video

regarding it.

‘
 Chapter III

Research Methodology

Research Method
A descriptive qualitative method of study is used by the researchers in order to

obtain the necessary data by means of using an interview method which is essential in

answering the statement of the problem, as well as to meet the objectives of the study.

The researchers used the descriptive qualitative method in the study to identify what are

the factors that influence the grade 11 Science Technology Engineering and

Mathematics (STEM) and Accounting and Business Management (ABM) student’s

choices for not choosing the academic strand Humanities and Social Sciences

(HUMSS). Also, in order to fulfill the method of the study, a purposive sampling

technique of non-probability sampling will be used by the researchers in gathering the

respondents of the said study. It is by means of choosing those who are eligible and

knowledgeable by experience to answer correspondingly to the set of questions

prepared by the researchers.

Research Setting

This study will be conducted at St. Scholastica’s Academy – Tabunok, 58 Rafael

Rabaya Road, Talisay City about 11.7 km. from Cebu City via Cebu South Costal Road,

Region 7 of the Visayan region, Philippines.

Research Respondents

The chosen respondents of the study are the 15 selected Senior High School

students in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) strand, and

another 15 students from the Accounting and Business Management (ABM) strand of

St. Scholastica’s Academy - Tabunok. The respondents will be selected by the

researchers through a purposive sampling technique.

Research Instrument

An interview questionnaire will be used by the researchers as an instrument to

collect sufficient data and information that will support the study. In using an interview

method basing on the prepared set of interview questionnaires will be used through

direct discourse and interview of the respondent. The content of the interview

questionnaire composes of five close ended questions and five open ended questions in

a total of ten questions in a single set of questionnaire.

Moreover, there will be a video or tape recording as well to confirm the credibility of the

evidences aside from written interpretation of the researchers from the answers of the

respondents.

Data Gathering Procedures

The collecting of data shall only be executed right after a letter of permission to

conduct the study in the school premises is presented to the administration of the
notable institution with a corresponding approval of the head, as well as the

confirmation of the respondents to participate in the study presented to them by a formal

cover letter. The processes of data collection are as follows;

A. Preparatory Stage

(1) Formally sending a letter of request to the school administration in conducting the

study and patiently waiting for their approval.

(2) Presenting a formal letter to the chosen respondents to willingly participate in the

study and patiently waiting for their approval.

(3) Checking on the devices that will be use as a recording medium for the

interviews.

B. Interviewing the respondents

(1) The group will be divided into two groups in conducting the interviews, the other

one will be assigned to record the interview and the other is to ask the set of

interview questions on the respondent.

(2) After all the respondents are interviewed the group will synthesize, evaluate,

interpret and analyze the given and recorded data gathered.

Treatment of Data

In this study, the researchers will use the content analysis which will help the

researchers to assess, measure, and interpret the data gathered from the set of

questionnaires distributed to the respondents in order to draw certain conclusions that

will later part answer the study.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study focuses to promote the Humanities and Social Sciences Academic

Strand through designing a promotional video as an intervention that will assess the

student’s choices and decision as to what HUMSS strand is about. In pursuance of this

study, the researchers would like to determine the contributing factors of their

preferences in choosing academic strand, misconceptions about the HUMSS strand

and the respondent’s prior knowledge to the subject of discourse. This study centralizes

on the promotion of the HUMSS academic strand and what it is about.

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