Chapter I
The Problem and Its Settings
Introduction
The Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, also known as the Republic Act No.
10533, has expanded the years of schooling in Philippine basic education from 10 years
to 12 years. An additional 2 years representing Grades 11 and 12 was introduced in the
basic education system through senior high school in school year 2018-2019.
The Senior High School (SHS) Program aims to prepare students before entering
college, equipping them with the global skills, competencies, and knowledge needed to
achieve successful career paths in the future. The Program is composed of five different
tracks which are Academic, Arts and Design, Sports, Technical, and Vocational. These
tracks prepare students for college, universities, or even real workplaces by providing
them with the necessary skills they must possess.
Each track is composed of different strands. For instance, the Academic track is
composed of four (4) strands, namely, Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS),
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), Accounting Business and
Management (ABM) and the General Academic Strand (GAS).
These different tracks, strands, and specializations are intended for Grade 10
completers to determine which paths fit their strengths, passions, and skills. Choosing
the right Senior High School strand will help motivate students for their future career.
Studying becomes more enjoyable since the strands are designed and specialized to
match their interests.
Choosing and deciding what track or program to pursue in Senior High School
has consequences. The choices students made can either help or hinder them in the
future. The shape and excellence of students’ life may rest on the result of their
decisions. Thus, decision making must not be taken for granted. The resolution of which
track to take is one of the students’ important decisions to consider. In fact, it is one best
way to get one’s satisfaction and one of the best required things to do to have a
successful and satisfying life.
Choosing and deciding the right track or program to pursue in Senior High
School is not only important but is essential. However, choosing the right track to
pursue in Senior High School may be challenging for most students. There are a lot of
circumstances that may affect students’ decisions. There are several influences that
may affect the preferences of students in choosing a track to proceed to senior high
school.
As Grade 10 students, the researchers would like to study the factors that affect
the choice of track of our fellow incoming senior high school students and the extent to
which these factors influence their track preference. This study would like to take a step
in defining the career tracks and available career choices for SHS students.
The Significance of The Study
This study will be significant to the following:
Students- This study aims to help students be aware of different factors that
affects their decision.
Parents- The parents of the students will gain insights about the different factors
affecting their children’s decision and will use this study to help their children in a way so
that they won’t have a hard time choosing what track to pick.
Student Counselors/Teachers- This study will provide information for student
counselors/teachers so they can give advice on students who are having a difficult time
to choose a track.
Statement of the Problem
This study aims to determine the factors affecting the incoming SHS track
choices of General Santos City National High School students. Specifically, it will seek
to answer the following questions:
1. What is the socio-demographic profile of the incoming senior high school
students in terms of:
1.1 Age
1.2 Sex
1.3 Family Income
2. Do the following Factors affect the incoming SHS track choices in term of:
2.1 Age
2.2 Sex
2.3 Family Income
2.4 Academic Performance
2.5 Choices of the family;
2.6 Peers influence and
2.7 Educational aspiration/expectation
3. What other factors may be able to affect their choices for senior high school
track?
4. Is there any significant relationship between factors affecting a student's
choice and the socio-demographic of incoming senior high school?
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Factors Affecting the Incoming Senior
High School Students Track Choices Senior Highschool Track
of GSCNHS (Independent)
(Dependent)
Scope and Delimitation
This study is to focus on the factors affecting in choosing the senior academic
track at General Santos City National Highschool during the school year 2023-2024.
The study is focused on grade 10 students in General Santos City Highschool who are
suffering deciding what track to choose. This study does not include the explanation of
the different senior high school tracks.
Definition of Terms
Socio-Demographic
Socio-demographics are nothing more than characteristics of a population.
Generally, characteristics such as age, gender, ethnicity, education level, income, type
of client, years of experience, location, etc.
Excellence
The quality of being outstanding or extremely good.
Resolution
A firm decision to do or not to do something
