Keystone of Grade 10 students in choosing their strand for SHS in SNHS

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Senior High School is the last phase in the implementation of the K-12 program. It covers Grades 11 and
12. Students have four general programs or tracks to choose from.
All Grade 10 completers, as well as those who are outside the formal school system who have completed
Grade 6, will be accepted in SHS.
The addition of two more years or two more grade levels, Grade 11 and 12, will better equip learners
with the necessary skills, knowledge, and values needed for a successful future in the fields of: Employment,
Entrepreneurship, Skills Development (further Technical-Vocational Learning), and Higher Education
(College).
The tracks or general programs being offered are the following: Academic, Technical-Vocational
Livelihood (with highly specialized subjects with TESDA qualifications), and Sports Arts and Design. Under
Academic Track, there are three main specializations or strands to choose from: Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Humanities and Social Science Strand (HUMSS), Accounting,
Business, and Management (ABM), and General Academic Strand (GAS). Under the Technical-Vocational
Livelihood Track, these are the following strands to choose from: Agri-Fishery Arts, Home Economics,
Information and Communications Technology (ICT), and Industrial Arts. The Arts and Design Track will
provide skills training in the following art forms: Theater, Music, Dance, Creative Writing, Visual Arts, and
Media Arts. The Sports Track was designed for students who want to pursue a sports-related career such as:
Athletic Development, Fitness Training, Coaching, and Officiating.
Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM) Strand. This specialization which consists of business-
related courses is designed for those who intend to take up business courses in college or intend on engaging in
business, entrepreneurship or other business-related ventures. Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics (STEM) Strand. The courses in this strand are designed for the mathematically, scientifically, and
technologically inclined students. Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) Strand. This strand is intended for
students interested in the fields of humanities and social science as their major in the university. General
Academic (GAS) Strand. For students who are undecided to the track to pursue in SHS, this track offers
subjects taken from the three academic strands. About for the TVL, the courses in this track are related to the
Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) subjects required in Grades 7 to 10. Each TVL strand may have
specializations which may have a National Certificate (NC) equivalent from TESDA.
The law prescribes that SHS is a part of compulsory basic education. With the full implementation of
SHS in SY 2016-2017, all students have to finish Grades 11 and 12 in order to graduate high school. SHS is
free in public schools offering SHS.
A voucher program has been prepared for Grade 10 completers from public schools as well as Education
Service Contracting (ESC) beneficiaries of private high schools who choose to take SHS in private schools.
This will ease the parents’ worry in paying their children’s tuition fees.
Through the Senior High School Career Guidance Program, Grade 10 completers will be assisted in
making informed decisions regards in their choice of track based on their skills and interests, available
resources and needs of society.
SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS
This study was an investigation on the keystone of students under the K-12 curriculum on which track or
strand they would take for Senior High School. Particularly, this was concerned to determine the psychographic
characteristics of students and the factors that can affect them in choosing their strand; to identify how their
parents, cousins, friends and other relatives affects the students decision; and, to know how do they come up
with a find decision.
Furthermore, the study was only bounded to the Grade 10 students of Sinait National High School of the
Academic Year 2019 – 2020.
The Grade 10 students of Sinait National High School as the primary target respondents of the study are
the main source of information headed to get the desired output; they are to answer questions through the use of
questionnaires given by the researchers to some of the Grade 10 students.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Aware of the situation about the ‘decision-making’ among students, the researchers were motivated to
find out the keystone in choosing the strand among Grade 10 students of Sinait National High School.
The result of this study was deemed to generate awareness among the Grade 10 students on a proper
decision-making for the upcoming school year as a Senior High School student.
This study have significance in several ways. The findings may help the students, parents and the
administration together with teaching staffs in providing an insights into college selection process as guidance
in choosing the suitable strand in Senior High School.
It is beneficial to the students for it would serve as a guide in order to lead them and acknowledge the
different strand suitable for each of them. Thoroughly an analysis, they had to go over precisely and wisely in
their decision to come up with an appropriate course for college accordingly to their personality, ability and
intellect. Moreover, this will be the basis which will assess them in selecting their college degree in the near
future. Hence, once the student performs the decision-making, avoidance will be kept, confusion and conflicts
will not be encountered.
This study helps the parents as the primary influence to their children’s decision and a guide to their
progression in the making. Parents must have an enough time to give a knowledge and motivation for a
successful and appropriate career choice. In addition, a student’s perception could be developed and improved if
the parent agreed to what their children’s wanted to achieve. It’s important to support their passions in order for
them to live happily and love their works, they won’t get tired instead they’ll strive even more.
This study also helps the administration together with teaching staffs in providing useful and reliable
information to their students. By implementing a program, the students will be more career-oriented in deciding
their career plan.