ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Undertaking this Masters’ Degree has been a truly life-changing experience for me and it
would not have been possible to do without the support and guidance that I received from many
people.

First and foremost, I am thankful to Almighty God for giving me the strength,
knowledge, ability and opportunity to undertake this study and complete it satisfactorily.

Secondly, I gratefully acknowledge the scholarship I obtained from the Province of

Negros Occidental through Paglaum Program - The Flagship to Reach Educational Excellence
(PROJECT-FREE) in collaboration with the University of St. La Salle, Bacolod

I would like to thank also my respected research Professor Dr. Rowela A. Chiu,
University of St. La Salle and research adviser Dr. Marijo D. Chua, Carlos Hilado Memorial
State University, whose worthy guidance and professional attitude is appreciable in completing
this research document.
My thanks are also extended to my previous professors in this master’s degree
journey for their excellent teachings;

To the interviewees, who so generously took time out of their schedules to participate in
my research and make this paper possible.

Furthermore, I also would like to thanks to all my Minoyan National High School family
headed by Dr. Ofemia D. Arevalo who provide me inspirations and continuous encouragement
during the course of this study.

To my supportive friends and colleagues for the help and motivation, and to my
dear MEd Social Studies classmates for the good companionship and memories;

Finally, my warm and heartfelt thanks to my family for their great support and hope they
had given to me. Without that hope, this research paper would not have been possible. I love you
all!
 ABSTRACT

In March 2020, the Covid-19 Pandemic wreaked havoc on our nation’s educational
system. Students, teachers, and administrators were forced to engage in a new remote learning
model, which was unfamiliar. The objective of this study was to document the challenges and
coping mechanism of High School Student who are At-Risk-of Dropping Out. This study utilized
a qualitative narrative approach. The respondents of this study were five students in printed
modular learning from grade 8 to grade 12, both male and female in a Public High School in the
Municipality of Murcia who were identified as Student-at-Risk of Dropping Out (SARDOs)
during the School Year 2021-2022. Qualitative data was collected through in-depth using
interview guide, validated by panel of experts in qualitative research. The recursive textual
analysis guided by the three C's of Lichtman was employed to analyze the data thematically. The
goal in the three Cs analysis is to move from coding initial data through identification of
categories to the recognition of important concepts or themes. The analysis of a qualitative study
consists of a narrative report with contextual description. This is underpinned by means of direct
quotations from participants taken from interview transcripts (Lichtman, 2006). In conclusion,
students acknowledged that their distinct experiences had helped them in promoting independent
learning. It is thought that the challenges arise in printed modular learning is how to understand
their condition. These adjustments and adaptations of the SARDOs may requires an attitude of
self-acceptance and optimism for them as it is a strong hope that everything in life will be able to
be resolved properly, despite problems and frustrations they encountered. SARDOs. From the
vulnerable and problematic students they have become resilient, positive and solution-driven
learners who will exhaust all the positive and best ways to benefit from the transformative
learning journey to reach the wagon of the stars of their dreams. Result of the study will give
SARDOs a glimpse for better understanding on their self and their situation, how they can rise
above the challenges they faced and find meaning in their struggles. Lastly, it is hoped that
significant findings of this study
may spur collective actions from the Department of Education,
Curriculum planners, community, parents and future researchers to address related challenges in
the future.
 APPENDIX A

LETTER TO THE PRINCIPAL

Republic of the Philippines

University of St. La Salle
Bacolod City

December 2, 2021

OFEMIA D. AREVALO
Principal I
Minoyan National High School
Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia

Ma’am:
I am undertaking a research study entitled, “STUDENTS IN THE NEW NORMAL: THE
UNTOLD STORIES OF SARDOs IN THE DISTANCE LEARNING MODALITY”.

In connection to this, I would like to request permission from your good office to allow
me to conduct an in-depth one on one interview to the participants who have been recognized as Student
At-Risk of Dropping Out (SARDOs) and are currently enrolled in Minoyan National High School during School
Year 2021-2022

Thank you very much and looking forward for a favourable response.

Respectfully yours,

BITHEY L. BOLIVAR
Researcher
Approved by:

OFEMIA D. AREVALO, Ph.D.

Principal I
APPENDIX B
 APPENDIX C

Letter to the Validator

Campus Research Coordinator

Carlos Hilado Memorial State University, Talisay Campus

Ma’am:
Greetings.

I am currently working on my research entitled: “Students in the New Normal: The Untold
Stories of SARDOs in the Distance Learning Modality”. This qualitative research will utilize
interview guide to gather data.

In connection to this, may I invite you to be one of the validators of my data gathering
instrument. Your expertise in the field of qualitative research will be helpful to the success
of my research journey.

I am sending my gratitude in anticipation of your favorable response.

God bless and more power.

Very Truly Yours,

BITHEY L. BOLIVAR
Researcher
 APPENDIX D

Free Prior Informed Consent Form

Dear Participant:

You are invited to participate in a research study entitled, “Students in the New Normal: The Untold Stories
of SARDOs in the Distance Learning Modality”.

This is a qualitative research utilizing a narrative approach that will be conducted on one of the public High
School in the Municipality of Murcia who are enrolled during this School Year 2021-2022. The purpose of
which is to explore the lived experiences of Students At-Risk of Dropping Out during the implementation of
modular distance learning modality.

If you agree to participate in the study, you will be asked to participate in an in-depth interview to be
conducted on (Date/Time / Venue).

This may also provide the public institution and administrators an opportunity to come up with appropriate
and relevant interventions, determine priorities, make organizational improvements, or allocate resources
responsive to the needs of the SARDOs. Additionally, identified SARDOs may benefit from these findings as
they could obtain a greater grasp of the experiences they are going through.

Your participation in this study is completely voluntary. You are free to discontinue your participation at any
point in the data-gathering procedure. You are assured of confidentiality and anonymity as you will be
assigned pseudonyms in the entire data gathering process.

In case there is a need to cite or quote you in the actual body of the paper, the same pseudonyms will be
used to refer to your responses.

The data to be gathered in this study will be used for research purposes only. The findings may be presented
to an audience in a local, national or international venue but the confidentiality and anonymity of the
information will be held in utmost confidentiality. The actual interviews will be digitally recorded and only the
researchers will have access to them. The actual recorded interviews will be deleted six months after they are
conducted.
_________________________ _________________________ __________________________

Signature of Participant Signature of Researcher Signature of Witness