Research - Group 1
Research - Group 1
A Quantitative Research
In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements in
PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2
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University of San Agustin
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
CHAPTER 1
Introduction
The Philippines is one of only three countries in the world that has a 10-year education
system, which has led to the implementation of a 2-year senior high school program as part of
the Department of Education’s (DepEd) K-12 initiatives. According to DepEd, Senior High
School (SHS) refers to Grades 11 and 12, the last two years of the K to 12 Basic Education
Program where students are required to go through a core curriculum and subjects under a track
of their choice. Each student in Senior High School can choose among three tracks: Academic;
Technical-Vocational-Livelihood; and Sports and Arts. The Academic track includes three
Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 (the Act), this educational reform launched by the DepEd
in June 2016 aims to improve the quality of high school graduates, leading them to the
development of self, community, and nation, and in order for them to become more globally
As the SHS program is freshly implemented, there is little known about the outcome of the
educational reform particularly on STEM graduates and there is only few to none literature that
focuses on the topic. In the study conducted by Santos et al., (2019) the researchers sought to
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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
determine the quality of education and the relevance of the SHS curriculum in their present
endeavors through a quantitative study. Although they were able to determine whether the Senior
High School strand of the pioneer graduates of Bulacan State University Laboratory High School
are aligned to their current course, they were not able to include the other chosen exits of SHS
graduates of BULSU-LHS whether they were employed, entrepreneurs or layabout. One tracer
study conducted by Awi, Calasin, and de Guzman (2022), focuses on the curriculum exit of the
three batches of the SHS graduates in the Philippines in order to determine the quality of
education that the school offers and the impact of the new basic education system in the country.
Yet, the results of the study still suggested that there is a need to further study the status of the
employed SHS graduates. Ducanes and Ocampo conducted a study entitled "The Impact of the
New Senior High School Program on the School Participation of 16 and 17-year-old Learners in
the Philippines" to examine the impact of the new Senior High School program on 16 to
17-year-old learners' educational participation using their collected data from the Annual Poverty
Indicators Survey. The study's findings revealed that educational reform has addressed one of the
most serious concerns leveled at the Philippine educational system, namely the lack of
educational opportunities for the poor. However, in terms of quality of education, the study
stated that the impact of SHS on the quality of graduates who enter college, the world of work, or
entrepreneurship are still not determined and it could be a particular interest because such tracer
study can provide insights about the reviews or revision of curriculum and learning delivery
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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
The researchers aim to pursue this descriptive study since it will be beneficial to the
students because it can give them a better understanding of the impact of STEM education on
their chosen careers, and information from tracking study results could provide attention and
action for institutions of higher education to reevaluate their current curriculum plans to see if
they are still meeting the needs of high school students. (Cuadra et al., 2019). Without
information about the statehood of STEM students, we cannot ensure if the STEM graduates are
well-equipped and that the educational system has met their needs. Tracer studies provide
valuable insight into the career paths of graduates and can help inform the development of more
effective STEM curricula and educational strategies. According to the Australian Council for
Educational Research (2021), a tracer study provides feedback to higher education institutions
within two to three years, allowing them to observe if they have been providing the right skills
and knowledge to their students. Tracing the statehood of graduates can also help to identify gaps
In order to determine whether Senior High School has been successful since it was
introduced, this tracer study followed the senior high school graduates in the Science,
Iloilo City. The researchers selected some of the University of San Agustin Iloilo's students in the
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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
This tracer study aims to determine the statehood of the students from the Senior High School
program from The University of San Agustin in STEM strand in the year 2017-2018.
1.1 sex
1.3 course
a. course
2.2 entrepreneurship
a. type
b. income
2.4 employment
a. status
b. monthly income
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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
3. What is the alignment of the University of San Agustin STEM strand to chosen exits, in terms
of:
3.1 sex
3.2 course
This Tracer study will identify if the Science,Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
(STEM) program, under the Senior High School of University of San Agustin is effective
For the students, the Tracer Study will benefit the students who are planning and currently
enrolled on the STEM program of University of San Agustin Senior High School because the
result will show what type of educational strategy is more effective to their learning.
For STEM Graduates, the Tracer study will assist them in determining their current progress
of education by comparing previous track to current courses or activities. Such knowledge can
further assist them in their future career path with consideration to build up skills from the STEM
Strand.
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University of San Agustin
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
For the Senior High School Department, the Tracer study will be beneficial to them for the
purpose of having the result of the effectiveness of the current educational strategy to 6the
academic performance of the students. The Senior High School Department will know if the
current educational strategy shall be maintained or needs modification in order to adapt to the
For the Department of Education, this Tracer Study will be beneficial to those who serve as
the main beneficiary of the outcome of this study for the future education researchers. Whereas
they will be guided and learn more about the preceding studies about the tracer in the Philippines
Senior High School Curriculum. As a department who coordinates, plans, proposes, and
implements further studies on Philippine Literature, the Department of Education will be able to
come up with more ideas regarding the status of tracer studies in the Philippines.
For future researchers, this Tracer Study will serve as their guide in conducting related
studies that will be more in-depth. Also, for the reason that this research is a tracker that will
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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
The Statehood of STEM Graduates at the University of San Augustine" (STEM Graduates) of
the University of San Augustine's 2017-2018 batch in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and
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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
Mathematics (STEM) strand were the focus of this tracer study. They are the first group of
graduates who experienced the K–12 curriculum in terms of personal characteristics, jobs,
the latter two years of the K–12 program,grades 11 and 12, which DepEd has been implementing
since 2012.
The government provided funding to support ongoing training and seminars for teachers.
Additionally, the government provided funding for improved education, which would be
researched by academics at the University of San Agustin-by-Gen. Luna in Iloilo City. The
researchers will carry out this tracer study into how well the SHS curriculum enhances STEM
graduates' employability in the academic years 2017–2018. Moreover, the study will cover 50
participants among the graduates of grade 12 STEM students at the University of San Agustin,
Definition of Terms
To facilitate the understanding of the study, different terms are defined herein.
Statehood. It refers to independence that provides a capacity to enter into relations with other
States. In this study, the tracing of the graduates’ statehood is an attempt to determine whether
the program was successful in meeting the demand for lifelong learners. (Grant, 1998)
Tracer. one that traces, tracks down, or searches out (2023, Merriam-Webster, Incorporated)
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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
Tracer Studies. It refers to collecting and analyzing data repeatedly over time. For
monitoring and evaluation purposes, tracer studies are designed to track changes at individual
Employment. It refers to engaging in any task or undertaking with the purpose of creating
goods or delivering services in exchange for monetary compensation or financial gain (ILO,
2013). As used in this study, it pertains to the status of senior high school STEM graduates who
are actively engaged in paid work or self-employment within a specified tracking period
teacher and/or educational goals set by students and teachers to be achieved over a specific
period of time (Narad and Abdullah, 2016). Operationally, it pertains to the assessment of
or vocational institutions after completing the Senior High School program in the STEM strand.
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opportunities to create value (Hisrich, R., Peters, M., & Shepherd, D., 2017). It is operationally
defined as the engagement in entrepreneurial activities by the Senior High School graduates,
School Satisfaction. It refers to a student's subjective cognitive appraisal of the quality of his
or her school life (Baker & Maupin, 2009). Operationally, it refers to the level of contentment
and fulfillment experienced by the Senior High School graduates in relation to their educational
Income. It refers to athe total amount of monetary earnings generated by the Senior High
Course. In this study, it refers to the specific field of study or academic program pursued by
the Senior High School graduates in their higher education journey, and it is measured by
identifying the name or title of the degree or program they enrolled in.
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General Luna Street, Iloilo City
CHAPTER 2
Related literature discusses the concepts on how this study came to be. The coverage of this
review would range on the variables of the study specifically it would cover the profile of the
STEM graduates, the graduates’ chosen exits, and the alignment of the graduates’ chosen exits to
A graduate profile is a document that a school or district uses to specify the cognitive,
personal, and interpersonal competencies that students should have when they graduate (Kay,
2017). The profile of graduates is a crucial factor in assessing the impact of Senior High School
(SHS) on the quality of graduates who enter college, the world of work, or entrepreneurship.
According to a study by Alonzo and Narisma (2019), the SHS program is designed to produce
graduates who possess the necessary competencies and skills for various career paths. The
profile of graduates is used as a variable in identifying the statehood of the graduates because it
provides important information about their skills, knowledge, and abilities, which can be used to
assess their readiness to enter the workforce and contribute to the development of their
community. As noted by Alfonso (2018), "the profile of graduates is crucial in determining the
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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
quality of education and training provided by institutions, as well as the level of competitiveness
of graduates in the labor market" (p. 12). The profile of graduates may include information such
as age, sex, and honors received. Age and sex can provide insight into the diversity and
demographics of the graduating class, while honors received can indicate academic achievement.
These factors can be used to determine the statehood of the graduates, as they can be indicators
Investigating the long-term career trajectories of graduates and how their profiles contribute
to career advancement, job,x. M satisfaction, and overall statehood over time would provide a
more comprehensive understanding of the impact of their profiles (ACT, 2009). To effectively
communicate and emphasize the importance of academics and career planning, the university
can highlight the characteristics of successful college students, such as their levels of academic
preparation and the influence of their career goals. According to Kay (2017), the profile, which
includes agreed-upon goals and norms for students' learning, has a broader impact beyond just
setting expectations. It has the potential to drive transformative changes in various aspects of the
education system, including individuals (such as students and teachers), systems (such as
curriculum and assessment frameworks), structures (such as school organization and support
essence, the profile can serve as a catalyst for positive educational reforms that improve student
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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
The chosen exits of graduates refer to "the career paths that graduates have decided to pursue
after completing their studies" (Lee & Choi, 2019, p. 24). According to a study by Quintos et al.
(2020), the statehood of graduates can be determined by their chosen exits as it reflects the level
of success they have attained in their respective fields. For instance, graduates who have secured
high-paying jobs or have started their own successful businesses are likely to have higher
statehood compared to those who are unemployed or underemployed. In other words, the chosen
exits of graduates can serve as an indicator of their economic and social status in the society.
The chosen exits of SHS graduates, whether they enter college, the world of work, or
entrepreneurship, can determine the impact of SHS on the quality of graduates. According to a
study by Mamauag, et al. (2020), the type of exit chosen by SHS graduates can affect their
preparedness for college or the workforce. This highlights the importance of aligning the SHS
curriculum and learning delivery systems with the needs of these exits. Furthermore, the chosen
exits of SHS graduates can also provide insights about the reviews or revision of curriculum and
learning delivery systems. As noted by Ocampo and Cabañero-Verzosa (2019), analyzing the
outcomes of SHS graduates can help in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the
curriculum and delivery systems. This data can then inform the necessary revisions to improve
the quality of education. In terms of determining the statehood of graduates, the chosen exits can
also be a factor. According to a study by De Vera and Santos (2018), SHS graduates who enter
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University of San Agustin
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
the world of work can contribute to the economy and the development of their communities. On
the other hand, those who pursue entrepreneurship can create job opportunities for others. This
highlights the importance of providing SHS graduates with the necessary skills and knowledge to
On the Alignment of the Graduates Chosen Exits to the Senior High School (SHS) STEM
Strand
Alignment refers to the match between the graduates' chosen strand and their future education
or occupation (Adorna et al., 2021). The alignment of the graduates' chosen exits to a Senior
High School (SHS) strand can be a crucial factor in determining their statehood in a tracer study.
According to a study by Adorna et al. (2021), the alignment of graduates' preferred exits to their
respective SHS strand can influence their readiness for further education or employment
opportunities.
The alignment of graduates' chosen exits to the SHS strand can significantly impact the
quality of graduates in terms of their readiness for college, the workforce, or entrepreneurship. A
study by Mendoza et al. (2019) found that graduates who aligned their chosen exits with their
career goals were more likely to succeed in their chosen paths. This highlights the importance of
providing students with career guidance and aligning the SHS curriculum with the needs of the
industry (Mendoza et al., 2019). Furthermore, the chosen exits can also provide insights into the
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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
effectiveness of the curriculum and learning delivery systems. As noted by De Vera (2017), the
chosen exits can serve as indicators of whether the curriculum and learning delivery systems
have adequately prepared students for their chosen paths. In terms of the statehood of graduates,
the chosen exits can determine whether graduates are equipped with the necessary skills and
competencies to contribute to the development of their communities and the nation. According to
Abarro (2018), the SHS curriculum should incorporate civic education and community
engagement to develop graduates who are not only academically competent but also socially
responsible. Also, according to Nyamwange (2016), individuals should thoroughly assess the
available career options in relation to their personal interests when making career decisions. It is
advisable to choose a career that aligns with one's interests. Those already in careers that don't
match their interests should explore opportunities to enhance their career paths by pursuing
courses that can eventually lead them into fields they find interesting. It is important to
encourage individuals to make career choices in areas where they have or can easily acquire
knowledge, skills, and interest, as this is likely to enhance productivity when individuals are
Related Studies
The review of the related studies serve as the basis of the analysis of results, since it enables
the researcher to compare and contrast their findings with those of past studies. With this, the
results of a particular study are verified by similar findings or negated by different findings of
previous researchers.
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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
In the study conducted by Padios, A., et al. (2021) entitled, “Strand and Statehood Predictors
of Senior High School Graduates: A Tracer Study” which aims to determine the profiles and the
statehood of Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT) SHS graduates from 2018 to 2019
and the factors explaining their statehood. The researchers also determined the alignment of
respondents ‟SHS strands to their college courses and the absorption rate of the college. The
is composed of six parts to collect data from selected students. The researchers used descriptive
for problems number one to four and correlational for the fifth problem. The study revealed that
if the graduates had not stopped studying, they would have been of the appropriate age.The
number of female graduates is equal to the number of male graduates, which demonstrates
gender fairness in the study area. It was also revealed that students consider the factors after
graduation in choosing their strands in senior high school. The graduates perceived higher
education as a way to strengthen their abilities in senior high school, and only a small percentage
of the graduates pursue entrepreneurial activity. This shows that students in higher education
continue to value obtaining degree units. The data showed that ASCOT absorption rate is strong,
however only half of the studying graduates are pursuing degrees related to their SHS strand.
Though the participants from all strands such as TVL, ABM, STEM, and HUMSS were included
in the study, our study found similarities in this study regarding studying graduates who are
taking degrees aligned to their SHS strands, their educational attainment, age, and gender. We
also found similarities to our current study regarding the chosen exits of the graduates of their
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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
study which conclude that most of the graduates of ASCOT pursued higher education as their
chosen exits and only few who had taken on entrepreneurial activities. Padios, A., et al. (2021)
A similar study done by Awi, et. al. (2022) entitled "WHAT NOW? THE SENIOR HIGH
SCHOOL GRADUATES’ CURRICULUM EXIT" aimed to determine the chosen exits of the
three batches of the SHS graduates of Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Manila and explored their
experiences in their senior high school education to determine the quality of education is related
to the present study because both aimed to determine the chosen exits from first batch senior
high school graduates which include their higher education, entrepreneurship, and employment.
The difference lies in the respondents of the study since the article had respondents from all
strands while the present study has only STEM graduates as respondents.
Another study that was conducted in Philippines entitled, “Senior High School Graduates
Tracer Study (GTS): Basis For a Proposed Learner’s Work Immersion Plan” aims to determine
the employment profile of Senior High School graduates of Sulivan National High School
for 2017-2018 to serve as input for learners’ work immersion plan of the school. The researcher
also aimed to determine the careers they have chosen, and their careers at the time of the study,
and if they are still in line with the industry of their choice during their SHS years.The study
employed a descriptive research method through a survey questionnaire to collect data from the
total of 20 SHS graduates from Sulivan National High School in SY 2017-2018. The results of
the study showed that only around half of the first batch of Sulivan NHS SHS graduates are
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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
currently working and some did not immediately join the workforce 100%. Thirty percent chose
to continue their study in college, while 20% were unemployed and did not seek tertiary
education. This study concludes that completing a certain SHS track strand does not ensure that
the student will continue on the same career path after SHS. (Liwanag, 2021)
Synthesis
The synthesis collects data from several distinct but related study employability
characteristics of teacher preparation program graduates from the classes of 2013 to 2017. The
values and abilities that are most useful in the business are those that revolve on self-assurance,
interpersonal relationships, and communication. It has been shown that the learning areas most
directly related to graduates' employment are general education and teaching practicum. The
results show that the majority of respondents were employed locally and had regular or
The primary objective of any higher education institution (HEI) should be to produce
exceptional graduates who are prepared to enter the local and global labor market and contribute
to the long-term growth of the country. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority's 2019
statistics, graduates should be prepared to enter the local and global job market and contribute to
the long-term growth of the country (PSA). Despite significant efforts by local governments and
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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
SHS graduates from Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT) in 2018 and 2019. There
are as many female graduates as there are male grads. Only a small portion of graduates engage
in entrepreneurship. Although ASCOT has a high retention rate, only 50% of studying graduates
are pursuing degrees in their SHS stream. Although participants from all strands, including TVL,
ABM, STEM, and HUMSS, were included in the study, Padios, A., et al. (2021) discovered that
the educational attainment, age, and gender of graduates who are pursuing degrees that are
The three batches of SHS graduates from Colegio de San Juan de Letran—selected Manila's
exits. The research's respondents differ from the article's in that only STEM graduates
participated in the current survey, whereas respondents to the earlier study were from all strands.
The results were used to create a report on the data of nursing graduates from UC. The
Commission on Higher Education established the Graduate Tracer Tool (GTT). Over two thirds
of respondents had jobs related to the college course they had selected, and more than half of
respondents obtained employment within a year to six months. All batches of nursing graduates
from the University of Cebu Lapulapu and Mandaue (UCLM) College of Nursing from 2007 to
2014 were evaluated for job data and their current work status.
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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
Theoretical Framework
This study is anchored on the theory of Lent et al. (1994) and Fishbein and Ajzen (1975). The
Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) by Lent et al. is based on the principles of social
cognitive theory and the concept of self-efficacy proposed by Albert Bandura. Bandura’s
principles emphasize the role of cognitive processes, observational learning, and individuals'
beliefs in their abilities to influence their behavior and achieve desired outcomes (Bandura,
1997). SCCT emphasizes the role of cognitive processes, such as self-efficacy beliefs, outcome
expectations, personal goals, and contextual factors, in shaping individuals' career choices,
actions, and persistence. According to SCCT, individuals develop their career interests and goals
self-efficacy beliefs, which are their beliefs in their capabilities to successfully perform tasks and
overcome challenges in specific career domains. These self-efficacy beliefs, along with outcome
While the Expectancy-Value Theory by Martin Fishbein and Icek Ajzen focuses on
individuals' beliefs about the expected outcomes of their actions and the subjective value they
place on those outcomes. According to the theory, individuals' decision-making and subsequent
engagement in activities are influenced by their expectations of success and the perceived
importance or value they assign to a specific domain. The theory suggests that individuals are
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General Luna Street, Iloilo City
more likely to pursue activities or goals in which they have a higher expectation of success and
perceive greater personal value. By incorporating elements of cognitive processes, attitudes, and
motivational factors, the Expectancy-Value Theory offers valuable insights into how individuals'
beliefs and values impact their behavioral choices, performance levels, and overall achievement.
(Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975). It is frequently used to explain student motivation, academic
achievement, and career choices. It helps researchers and educators understand why students
choose certain academic tasks, persist in their efforts, and make decisions related to their
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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
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CHAPTER 3
Methodology
This chapter of the study presents the research design, research instrument, the procedure, and
Research Design
This study employed a descriptive survey approach to gather data and assess the current state
and characteristics of senior high school students in the STEM strand, as well as evaluate the
outcome and effectiveness of the SHS program for STEM students. Descriptive research entails
tabulating, depicting, and describing the gathered data (Glass & Hopkins, 1984).
Johnson and Christensen (2014) defines a descriptive survey as a research method that aims
observations and analyzing the responses to provide a comprehensive and detailed description of
Procedural Design
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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
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In order to accumulate the data from the chosen respondents along with the analysis of its
outcomes, the researchers will proceed accordingly after careful deliberation of the survey
focusing primarily on accumulating data containing information relative to the tracker study.
Before proceeding with the data gathering, the researchers formulated questions in relation to the
presented statement of the problem, involving the profile of the respondents from the University
of San Agustin STEM Strand, the graduate’s chosen exits, and their alignment with their chosen
exits. After the formulation of questions in the survey, the researchers will then continue with
the data accumulation through distributing the questionnaires and the respondents’ answers. The
research questionnaires will be distributed through online platforms - Google Forms for a more
convenient method. The data gathered will undergo thematic analysis by the researchers for
analysis of outcomes.
Stratified random sampling will be used by the researchers in selecting the participants. In
stratified sampling, researchers divide subjects into subgroups called strata based on
characteristics that they share (e.g., race, gender, educational attainment). Once divided, each
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General Luna Street, Iloilo City
The researchers will select 50 Senior High School STEM graduates of University of San Agustin
from the 2017-2018 school year to serve as the respondents of the study. The researchers will
access and contact the participants through the Senior High School office and will be asking for
their contact information and also their email if possible. Google forms will be used as a
Research Instruments
literature on graduate tracer studies. To ensure that all the objectives of the study were met, the
questionnaire encompassed sections targeting the profile of University of San Agustin STEM
students, encompassing variables such as sex, course, school satisfaction, and academic
performance, as well as the chosen exits for graduates, including higher education,
entrepreneurship, and employment, while also examining the alignment of the University of San
Agustin STEM strand with chosen exits, sex, course, school satisfaction, and academic
Data collection for the study involved the utilization of a survey questionnaire, which aimed
to gather essential information including the students' profiles, their chosen paths after senior
high school (higher education, entrepreneurship, income, employment), and the relationship
between the STEM strand and their chosen paths. The researchers employed a Google Form as
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General Luna Street, Iloilo City
the survey tool for data collection, allowing respondents to complete the questionnaire
Here are the steps described for acquiring the data needed for the study.
1. The researchers shall get permission first from the University of San Agustin to obtain
the list of the SHS graduates batch 2017-2018 and their respective contact number and/or
email accounts. This is where the samples will be selected to be the respondents of the
study. A permission to conduct the data collection will also be requested from the
2. The researchers shall first seek permission to the respondents before the questionnaires
will be answered by them. Also the instructions were put on it and supplementary
3. The questionnaires will be distributed to the selected samples by the use of Google Forms
through email and messenger since it is quite possible that the respondents are difficult to
locate by the researchers because some might have no contacts to the outside world.
the proponents of the study that sought to determine the statehood of the STEM students
at the University of San Agustin during the academic year 2017-2018. Specifically, these
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General Luna Street, Iloilo City
questions are based on the previous studies that were generated in order to achieve the
same objective.
questionnaires and the data will be gathered, tallied, and processed to give answers to the
Data Analysis
The data will be gathered, reviewed, and then examined using Thematic Analysis, which
emphasizes analyzing and transcription in interviews. It's helpful for learning about other
cultures, claims Warren (2020) individuals' perspectives, experiences, and attitudes, which is
This also uses the six step process of the thematic analysis outlined by Braun and Clarke
(2006). With thematic analysis, the researchers will analyze and collect the feedback of the
respondents from the STEM graduates of the school year 2017-2018 without needing a detailed
required for a tracer study because the researchers are gathering and collecting data and
transcribing them.
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Statistical Treatment
To answer the statement of the problems, the percentage was used as the appropriate statistical
tool.
Where: F – frequency
N – population
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CHAPTER 4
This chapter contains the presentation, analysis, and interpretation of data obtained in the
study.
The profile of the respondents from the total population of 90 are as follows; 49 male and 41
performance during SHS, 49 are outstanding, 32 who are satisfactory, 4 fairly satisfactory and 5
who did not meet the expectations of the curriculum. In terms of the respondents course and jobs'
alignment, 68 have jobs that are STEM related and 6 who are not. 3 are employed locally and 4
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General Luna Street, Iloilo City
In accordance with how long it took for the respondents before they got their first job, 4 who
took less than 6 months, 2 who took 1-2 years, and 1 who took more than 2 years. Lastly, in
regards to the salary of those who are employed, 2 has a ₱1000-₱10,000 monthly income, 2 who
has ₱10,000-₱20,000, 1 who has ₱20,000-₱30,000, 1 who has a 40, ₱40,000-₱50,000 and 2 who
Table I shows a gender breakdown of the student respondents who took part in the survey or
study can be found in the data shown in Table 1, which can be seen below. 49 of the total 90
respondents are male, which accounts for 54.4% of the total, and 41 of the respondents are
This indicates that the bulk of the people who responded to this survey were men, since they
made up more than fifty percent of the total, and females made up slightly less than half of the
total respondents. In spite of this, it is important to keep in mind that the overall sample size is
relatively average, with only 90 respondents, and any conclusions that are derived from this data
Sex
Male 49 54.4%
Female 41 45.6%
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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
TOTAL 90 100%
Depending on the research issue at hand and the overall setting of the study, the gender
breakdown of the students who participated in the study may or may not be an essential factor.
For instance, if the research question relates to gender disparities or concerns that are connected
to gender, having a balanced gender distribution of respondents might give a more in-depth
knowledge of the subject matter. Additionally, research has demonstrated that the gender
distribution of academics may affect citation patterns and publishing patterns. According to
Dion, Sumner, and Mitchell (2018), female scholars are more likely to reference research
conducted by their female colleagues, and a systemic gender imbalance continues to exist in
certain sectors.
Table II presents the profile of the respondents based on the results when grouped on their
status after graduating from senior high school. There are three indicators; pursuing college;
employed; and self-employed. The indicator "pursuing college" possesses the highest votes with
82.2% of the respondents saying that they will be pursuing college after graduating senior high.
On the other hand, the indicator "self-employed" possesses the lowest votes with only 3.3% or
nine of the respondents saying that they will be self-employed after graduating senior high.
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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
This only indicates that the majority of the people who responded to this survey were eager to
finish with a college degree before being employed considering that more than 80% of the
Chosen Course
Pursuing College 74 82.2%
Employed 7 7.8%
Self-Employed 3 3.3%
Current Status 6 5.7%
TOTAL 90 100%
Regardless of this, there are still people who want to be employed after senior high school.
Since the students who responded to the survey began thinking of their future after graduation,
this data indicates that most of them decided to still continue pursuing college, rather than getting
employed, regardless of the opportunities that can be given even with only the SHS diploma.
This merely shows the students’ eagerness to either pursue a college degree or earn money at an
early age. Nevertheless, choosing from the two, either to study or be employed, will still give the
individual a good result, as long as these individuals have made the best decisions after several
The following are some factors which affect the students’ decisions with regards to
continuing to college or getting employed: being in good health; being financially stable; where
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University of San Agustin
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
they can earn more money; being able to spend more time; being able to do something you are
more passionate about; and continually learn and grow personally. Study also revealed the
reasons why the graduating students will not continue to college. The reasons included in the
study are stress, expenses, consideration of the money to be earned from employment, family
obligations, satisfaction, indecisiveness, and the pandemic (Bryant, 2022). Having factors to
consider before making a good decision will leave an individual with no regret due to the fact
that it was thought thoroughly and was decided after careful consideration and analysis of the
situation.
Table III shows the data of the profile of the respondents based on their academic
performances during senior high school. There are five indicators, the following are: outstanding;
very satisfactory ; satisfactory; fairly satisfactory ; and did not meet the expectations. The
indicator "outstanding" possesses the highest votes with 54.7% of the respondents, which is 49
individuals. While the indicator with the lowest votes is the "fairly satisfactory" with 4.4% or
only 4 individuals.
The available information merely suggests that the vast majority of students enrolled in senior
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University of San Agustin
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
Academic Performance
Outstanding 49 54.7%
Very Satisfactory 15 16.7%
Satisfactory 17 18.4%
Fairly Satisfactory 4 4.4%
Did not meet expectations 5 5.6%
TOTAL 90 100%
Despite everything, there are still individuals who are having trouble when they are in their
final year of high school. This may be supported by the data which shows that there are four
individuals whose academic achievement is quite decent and there are five individuals whose
performance did not meet the expectations in any way. Thus, these individuals are making
significant efforts and sacrifices to keep their academic performances good for college and
employment.
Stress and motivation are two characteristics that might affect academic performance, which is
are about to enter their final year of high school since they are getting closer to entering college
and because greater academic achievement results in better possibilities in life (Tus, 2020).
Table 4. Chosen Exits of the Respondents According to the Courses Being Related to STEM or
Not
Chosen Exits f %
Higher Education
STEM related 68 91.9%
Non STEM related 6 8.1%
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University of San Agustin
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
TOTAL 74 100%
The 4th table shows whether the courses of the respondents were STEM related. 91.9% of the
respondents have courses that are related to STEM and there are 8.1% who have courses who are
not related.
Table 5 shows the data of the profile of the respondents based on the results according to
their place of employment. There are two indicators, the following are: employed locally; and
employed in a foreign country. The indicator "employed in a foreign country" possesses the
highest votes with 57.1% of the respondents. While the indicator with the lowest votes is the
According to the information shown in the table, more than half of the respondents had the
desire and intention of finding employment in another nation, while less than half of them would
like to find employment locally. Simply looking at these numbers demonstrated conclusively that
individuals have a strong preference for living in nations that are not their own. Regardless, this
decision and choice were arrived at after taking into account a number of different aspects, such
as the amount of income available and the number of possibilities for future employment.
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University of San Agustin
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
Chosen Exits f %
Employment
Employed locally 3 42.9%
Employed in a foreign country 4 57.1%
TOTAL 7 100%
It's a risk to go abroad and work, but people are willing to take the risk and look for
motivation to pursue their career abroad. According to Vista Land International Marketing Inc.,
the main reason why individuals go abroad is for better career opportunities. Unlike in the
Philippines where there is a limited number of jobs, there are more job openings and
opportunities abroad, which means that an individual will likely find more vacancies and
opportunities once they go out of the country. In addition to these opportunities is a higher salary
compared to what the country can offer (October 2021). These people with professions risk their
life, reputation, and even their health just to provide quality products, services, and work that
benefits the people and provide an easier lifestyle for them. Therefore, these people deserve to be
paid and recognized for their hard work and dedication to their job.
Table 6 shows the data of the profile of the respondents that shows how long it took before
they landed their first job. There are four indicators, the following are: less than 6 months; 6
months to 1 year; 1 year to 2 years; more than two years. The indicator "less than 6 months"
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University of San Agustin
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
possesses the highest votes with 57.1% of the respondents. While the indicator with the lowest
votes is "6 months to one year" with no votes from the total respondents.
Table 6. Time Duration it Took For the Respondents to Secure Their First Job After Completing
Their College Education.
Chosen Exits f %
The table 6 provides an estimate of the speed with which a person may get employed for the
first time. According to the findings, more than half of the people who participated in the survey
would find work within a period of less than six months. While the remaining respondents
estimate that it will take them more than a year before they are able to find work, regardless of
whether it is in their own country or elsewhere. As a result, it is clear from the statistics that it
will not be difficult for the vast majority of participants to find employment.
Employment income
₱ 1,000- ₱10,000 2 28.6%
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University of San Agustin
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
₱10,001-₱20,000 2 28.6%
₱20,001-₱30,000 1 14.3%
₱30,001-₱40,000 0 0%
₱40,001-₱50,000 1 14.3%
₱50,000 above 2 28.6%
TOTAL 8
Lastly, the 8th table shows the respondents' thoughts on how the SHS curriculum helped them
get to where they are today and how it developed their knowledge and skills. The majority were
satisfied with the SHS curriculum, 38 responded Very Satisfied, 29 were satisfied, 19 were
According to the data recorded with the 90 participants, 82.2% of the respondents still
continued pursuing their college degree with 68 of them having their courses related to STEM
and 6 who are not. 11.1% were employed and self-employed who landed a job less than 3 years
after graduating from SHS and also having a fair amount of monthly salary. The majority rated
themselves outstanding and satisfactory in their academic performance as a SHS STEM student
and out of all the 90 respondents, 67 of them were satisfied with the SHS curriculum which make
Table 8. Respondents' Rating of the Influence of the SHS Curriculum on Their Knowledge and
Skills
f %
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University of San Agustin
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
CHAPTER 5
Conclusion
With the data results showing that out of the 90 participants, 82.2% of the respondents
were still pursuing their college degrees, with 68 of them taking STEM-related classes and the
other six not. Less than three years after graduating from SHS, 11.1% of employed and
self-employed individuals found work and earned a respectable monthly pay. The majority of
39
University of San Agustin
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Luna Street, Iloilo City
SHS STEM students assessed their academic performance as outstanding and satisfactory, and of
the 90 respondents, 67 of them were happy with the SHS curriculum, making up 74.4% of the
chart. Only two respondents were unsatisfied. According to BusinessMirror (2022), If students
choose to work after SHS, the SHS curriculum equips them with the required abilities and
information to be quickly employable and that students will have the option of enrolling in
entrepreneurship classes in addition to the academic and technical courses available in senior
high school, giving them the training they will need to launch enterprises after graduation. More
importantly, STEM education encompasses more than just the standard academic topics. It
provides a skill set that controls our thoughts and actions. STEM education, which combines
science, technology, engineering, and math, aids in resolving the problems that the world is
currently facing. In conclusion, this shows how well the SHS curriculum prepared them for the
courses and occupations they subsequently pursued, therefore concluding that the curriculum
Recommendations
With the aforementioned conclusion, it is recommended that the University of San Agustin
expands the range of subjects beyond General Mathematics, Calculus, and Physics to include
more courses aligned with STEM. This will provide a comprehensive preparation for future
areas for program improvement, such as teaching methods, curriculum content, or industry
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University of San Agustin
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General Luna Street, Iloilo City
partnerships. These enhancements will contribute to enhancing the program's effectiveness and
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General Luna Street, Iloilo City
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General Luna Street, Iloilo City
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General Luna Street, Iloilo City
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