Misamis University 2020 Tracer Study Proposal

Submitted by:

Angulo, Margarette
Esterioso, Reyjane Grace
Pahilan, Marikit

as part of the requirements for the salary release clearance

Introduction

Objectives

The aim of this study is to

1. Establish the profile of the respondents in terms of
● Academic performance
● Employment
● Licensure exam performance
● Relevance of MU course to current job
2. Test if a relationship exists between academic performance of the scholars and their employment,
and licensure exam performance (when applicable)
3. Recommend an effective and comprehensive scholarship design.

Conceptual framework:

Research on higher education has identified a broad range of predictors for student success including internal
characteristics of the student, such as sex, race, academic goals, and academic skills which cannot be influenced
by education. External characteristics such as institutional selectivity and various forms of financial support, are
also able to predict student success.1 These, luckily can be altered through educational management.

Studies also point out that highly motivated and successful students fare better in the workplace.

Because student success can be influenced by financial support, and that student success predicts future
employment, this study hypothesizes an indirect link between financial support and future employment.

Research Design

Academic scholars of Misamis University will be sent the University Tracer Study to answer (Appendix A) which
collects data on their employment and employment history. It also asks for the licensure exam performance and

1
Ganem, Natasha and Manasse, Michelle (2011) “The Relationship between Scholarships and Student Success: An Art
and Design Case Study”, Hindawi Publishing Corporation, Education Research International, Volume 2011, Article ID
743120, 8 pages, doi:10.1155/2011/743120
the relevance of their degree program at MU to their current job. The respondents’ grades during their stay in
MU will also be collected via the Registrar’s Office.

The data collected will be analyzed in a descriptive fashion. However, the researchers will also examine the data
to see if a relationship exists between scholarship, academic performance, and employment.

Review of Related Literature

Scholarship

Multiple studies have shown the positive relationship between scholarship and academic performance. In study
conducted as a followup to the Opening Doors Program, a performance-based scholarship in the United States,
the students who received a scholarship grant were shown to have increased persistence to register in school
with more credits enrolled.2 The Opening Doors Program was granted to selected students coming from low-
income families. The grantees were given $1000 per semester for 2 semesters and had to maintain an average
grade of “C” or better.

Similar outcomes were observed in a girls’ scholarship program in Cambodia. Similar to the Opening Doors
program, the recipients of the scholarship did not have subsidized school fees but were given cash assistance,
which is the norm in Latin-American and developing countries. The program also required the beneficiaries to be
enrolled in school, maintain a passing grade and had little absences in a year. Expectedly, the program had
increased enrollment by as much as 30 percent and attendance during random unannounced visits increased by
43%. The impact was felt most by the lowest socioeconomic group. 3

The USA and Cambodia studies are consistent with the findings of an Australian empirical study on scholarships.
It found that scholarships were able to assist individuals who would not otherwise have been able to enroll in a
tertiary education program. However, the authors also dwelled upon the notion that scholarships might not have
affected attitudes toward school performance, but rather it tended to support individuals who already have the
commitment to work in a particular sector. 4

It should also be noted that the scholarship programs had positive impacts on non-scholars who were enrolled
together with scholars.5 The Open Doors Scholarship also had a range of social and psychological advantages. It
was reported that the scholars were more engaged in working towards their personal goals and had higher
perceived levels of social support.6 These effects were felt even long after the scholarship eligibility has ended. 7

2
Richburg-Hayes, et. al, (2009) “Rewarding Persistence - Effects of a Performance-Based Scholarship Program for Low-Income Parents”, MDRC
3
Filmer, Deon and Schady, Norbert, (2006) “Getting Girls into School: Evidence from a Scholarship Program in
Cambodia”, World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 3910
4
Emma Foreman, Carolyn Perry & Amanda Wheeler (2015) Higher Education Scholarships: A review of their impact on
workplace retention and career progression, Open Review of Educational Research, 2:1, 155-166, DOI:
10.1080/23265507.2015.1056220
5
Filmer, Deon and Schady, Norbert, (2006) “Getting Girls into School: Evidence from a Scholarship Program in
Cambodia”, World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 3910
6
Richburg-Hayes, et. al, (2009) “Rewarding Persistence - Effects of a Performance-Based Scholarship Program for Low-Income Parents”, MDRC
7
Richburg-Hayes, et. al, (2009) “Rewarding Persistence - Effects of a Performance-Based Scholarship Program for Low-Income Parents”, MDRC
While multiple studies document the connection between financial aid and student success, empirical data shows
shows inconsistencies.8 In some studies, it was found that financial aid had no positive nor negative effects.
However, this discrepancy was explained in a study by Alon. 9 He noted that the same factors that increase
eligibility for financial aid, low-income family status, are negatively related to persistence and graduation. On the
other hand, amounts of financial aid are expected to increase persistence and graduation rates, so the two factors
negated each other. When he separated the effects of the two factors, however, he found that financial aid did
have a positive impact on persistence and graduation.

Even with the overwhelming positive studies on scholarships, it is not a perfect solution to increasing student
performance. Several criticisms were identified on scholarships which included political influences and a lack of
evaluation of these programs which, in turn, made scholarships available only to a privileged few and delivered
poor results in terms of its carry over to the workforce. 10

Based on empirical data gathered, an effective scholarship design must contain certain elements. 11 One of the
most notable elements included a target workforce with a commitment to work in that workforce for a
prescribed period, and active promotion of the scholarship particularly to disadvantaged groups. In terms of the
management of the scholarship, the study also recommended penalties for those who violate the terms of the
scholarship to encourage completion. These could include the return of finances or alternate penalties. It is also
suggested that the grantee be required to maintain satisfactory academic achievement and minimize leaves of
absences. The scholarship management should also not end once the student has graduated. It is also
recommended that the progress of the scholarship recipients be monitored, hence the importance of this tracer
study.

Accreditation

Another factor worth looking into is accreditation. It is believed to affect quality of education in colleges and
universities is accreditation. The main function of is to measure and regulate the quality of teaching and
research, support for students, relations with the community, and management of resources of students. Source
FAAP Employing evaluation systems will thus ensure that educational systems match world-class standards 12
which in turn, should translate to better student performance.

Sadly, even with the widespread use of accreditation in the Philippines, the quality of education has not
increased. 13

8
Ganem, Natasha and Manasse, Michelle (2011) “The Relationship between Scholarships and Student Success: An Art
and Design Case Study”, Hindawi Publishing Corporation, Education Research International, Volume 2011, Article ID
743120, 8 pages, doi:10.1155/2011/743120
9
Alon (see ganen)
10
Dufforc
11
Emma Foreman, Carolyn Perry & Amanda Wheeler (2015) Higher Education Scholarships: A review of their impact
on workplace retention and career progression, Open Review of Educational Research, 2:1, 155-166, DOI:
10.1080/23265507.2015.1056220
12
Ching, Gregory (2012) “Insert Title” International Journal of Research Studies in Management
13
Ching, Gregory (2012) “Insert Title” International Journal of Research Studies in Management