Fajardo, Angelica
Galao, Abyrose
Gabuat, Precious Divine
Alaska, Hannah Nicole
Lorenzo, Kurt
Title: Factors Affecting Grade 10 Students in Choosing Their Preferred Track for Senior High School
Introduction:
The transition from junior high school to senior high school marks a pivotal moment in a
student's academic journey. This is especially true in the Philippines, where the K to 12
curriculum introduces specialized tracks for Grades 11 and 12. Choosing the right track can
significantly impact a student's future academic and career paths, making this decision a crucial
one. This introductory study explores the various factors influencing Grade 10 students'
preferred track choices in senior high school. We will delve into international, national
(Philippine), and local factors, drawing upon existing research and studies to provide a
comprehensive overview.
Based on the international study of Oluwakemi B Ajayi, Moeniera Moosa, Peter Aloka.
Learners continue to face challenges of ineffective and inaccurate career decisions when in
secondary schools. This predicament makes them choose wrong careers leading to low level
functioning in the later world of work. These challenges have continued to receive much
attention in the media and in various policy documents. Learners continue to face challenges of
ineffective and inaccurate career decisions when in secondary schools.
According to a recent research, peer buddies are a crucial element of the socialization
process, and their effect and pressure in molding an individual's trajectory has been generally
acknowledged. It aids in the development of career options and decision-making among young
people (Victorovna, 2017). Adolescents in the Philippines are frequently unable to make
independent judgments. Parents, professors, acquaintances, and classmates are commonly
sought for advice (Manapsal, 2018). When it comes to making career options, there are a
number of elements that impact students' indecisiveness. Students are not given adequate
guidance in selecting subjects based on their interests and aptitude.
Moreover, the study of Ampofo Agyei Justice states that the career decisions of senior
high school students strongly affect their choice of academic programmes. It also emerged from
the study that students consider their own interest, intellectual abilities, parents‟ advice,
friends/peers career choice, individual value, societal perception, teachers‟ advice, occupation
of parents among others when making career decisions.
The national research of Princes Aires Malaguial , Goji Gacoscos, Edward Martinez,
Hassanal Abusama, Anamarie Valdez of Sultan Kudarat State University states that In career
selection, students have to undergo an intricate process, where they should consider factors
that would affect their overall decision such as the parents, academic performance, personal
interest, and many other aspects to forcefully be open-minded of the things they will encounter
in the not too distant future (Moneva & Malbas, 2019; Santric-Milicevic et al., 2014). Oftentimes,
this leads to confusion, doubts, and undecidedness that results in unemployment and
underemployment if, unfortunately, they misfit their pursued career.
Schreiner (2010) asserted that parental profession affects the choice of career, as it is
the closest influence an individual normally has. High school coursework, higher education and
vocational training opportunities also influence career decisions. However, it is an individual's
personality which plays the substantial role when choosing a career.
In addition, the study of Brenda C. Dublin Antonette A. Logrosa, Mary Rose D. Sosing
and Eduardo Edu C. Cornillez Jr states that many students did not place enough focus on their
career choices, and as a result, they believe that the career or track they are pursuing in
secondary education are unrelated to the profession they may later specialize in a higher
education level (Cabanias, 2021).
However the study of Yelena B. Alvarez of Rizal state that Hewitt further states that most
people are influenced by careers that their parents favor, others follow the careers that their
educational choices have opened for them, some choose to follow their passion regardless of
how much or little it will make them while others choose the careers that give high income.
Students' perception of being suitable for particular jobs also has been found to be influenced
by a number of factors including ethnic background, year in school, level of achievement, choice
of science subjects, attitudes and differences in job characteristics. One consistent finding in
research suggests that adolescents' own aspirations are influenced by their parent's aspirations
or expectations.
Based on the experience of Lyka Javillonar a grade 10 student of Amarao National High
School, Sta Cruz Ilocos Sur, chosing the right track for her senior years she thinks about her
own advantages and disadvantages in several areas. In addition, her interests and skills are
crucial in determining the academic tracks she will pursue in near future, as this will impact her
college admissions and eventual profession.
As stated by Nova Rein Domaoal, a grade 10 student of Salcedo National High School,
she personally believed that peer pressure could have a significant impact on her senior high
track choice on a deeper level, though, she also thinking about her own interests and pastimes.
In order to succeed, it is crucial that her tracks be in line with her interests. Additionally, Lorraine
Soliven, a grade 10 student similarly claims that her personal interests influenced her decision
to pursue her chosen senior high school program.
The researchers inspire by conducting this research to provide valuable insights and
recommendations that can help students, parents and educators in creating a supportive and
empowering environment for students as they navigate through their academic journey. By
understanding the factors that influence student’s track selections, aim to contribute to the
enhancement of the educational experience and the success of Grade 10 students as they go
and make a start to their Senior High School journey
Statement of the Problem
This research study aimed to determine the factors that affecting Grade 10 student in
choosing their preferred track for Senior High School in Salcedo National High School
Specially, it seeks to answer the following questions:
1. What are the factors affecting the students in choosing their preferred track for Senior
High School?
2. What are the effects of the study to the decision of Grade 10 students in choosing their
Strand?
Scope and Delimitation
The main focus of this research is to study the factors that affect the Grade 10 student in
choosing their preferred track for Senior High School. This study was conducted at Salcedo
National High School, Salcedo, Ilocos Sur from December 2024 to March 2025
The respondents of this study were the Grade 10 Students of Salcedo National High
School that will enter their senior year this academic year 2024-2025 as they choose their
preferred track/course. The primary Objective of this study is to determine the factors affecting
the students in choosing their preferred track for Senior High School and to identify the effects
of the study to the decision of Grade 10 students.
To realize this objective, the descriptive thematic research design was used with a
validated researcher-made interview questionnaire as the data gathering tool. The result of this
study were the primary basis of the researcher in conducting career guidance for Grade 10
Students.
Importance of the Study
This study will give the benefits to the following sectors, in order for them to know the
results of this investigation could be highly significant and beneficial specially to the following:
To the Students- As the prospective Senior High School Learners in the future, the result of
this study will benefit and inspire them to formulate and act upon on their chosen career plans in
the future.
To the Teacher and Parents- Teachers and Parents also be more likely to provide wise
guidance to their children and students for the chosen strand.
The Researcher Themselves- This will be a benefit and will contribute to the researchers. As
they can find out what they want to know in response to their research.
To the Future Researchers- As the role model of the K-12 curriculum. This study will benefit,
greatly help and inspire them to tackle this study. They can also get some ideas and information
about this study. It will also serves as a future references and serve as springboard in
conducting their own researches.
Definition of Terms
The following terms are operationally defined for better understanding of the readers:
Factors- a circumstances, fact, or influence that contributes to a result.
Student- a person enrolled in a school or other educational institutions
Future- used to refer to what will happen to someone or something in the time to come
Influence- the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone
or something, or he effect itself
Profile- description of someone’s life, work, characteristics
Respondents- a person who replies to something, especially one supplying information for a
survey questionnaire or responding to an advertisement.
Senior High School- refers to the last two years of K-12 program
Education- discipline that is concerned with methods of teaching and learning
Career- a field for a pursuit of consecutive progressive achievement especially in public,
professional, business life.
Decision- conclusion or resolution reached after consideration
Family- the basic unit in society traditionally consisting of two parents rearing their children
School- an institution for educating children
Peer- a person of the same legal status
Age- the period of time someone has been alive or something has existed
Review of Related Literature Studies
Review of the literature will be explored within this chapter that evaluate and contrast
research in factors that influence career choice decisions. Specifically, the literature will reveal
what factors are important in making career choices. These factors eventually all guide to the
awareness that career choice is not a lineal process but that it has factors that are influential in
terms of making future plans and those factors themselves are influenced by the surroundings,
external environment, country situation, family orientation and personal interests.
According to Super’s (1990) Developmental Theory of Career Development, high school
students are at the exploration stage of career development, which involves crystallizing and
specifying their occupational preferences, while also making preliminary decisions about their
career choice. The review of the literature showed the areas of a student’s life affect the plans,
decisions, and career choice they make: Gender, Parental Influence, and Peer Influence. The
study attempted to identify and differentiate to what extent these factors played varying roles in
future career choice.
According to the study of Gottfredson’s theory as cited in Sonsona (2012) self-concept
was also found significant on the choice of specialization of students. Another is Holland’s
theory of career choice suggested that people can function and develop best and find job
satisfaction in work environments that are compatible with their personalities. People tend to
choose a career that is reflective of their personality. self-concept is the key to specialization
selection. Students tend to choose jobs that are compatible with their personality. The key
determinants according to the theory are one’s social class, level of intelligence and
experiences with sex typing. In the study of Siguan Jr., (1994)
According to Lent et al study. (1994) indicated that contextual variables influence
individuals' career interests and choices by shaping learning experiences in SCCT. The
contextual variables of SCCT include the background contextual affordance and contextual
influences proximal to choice behavior that affects career choice behavior. Among them, the
background contextual affordance helps individuals to form interests and self-perceptions, while
contextual influences play a role in the career decisions (Lent et al., 1994).
Several studies have identified various factors that influence students' SHS track
preference. Lorenz et al. (2020) found that academic performance, peer influence, parental
guidance, and career aspirations were significant predictors of students' track preference. The
study found that students with high academic performance tended to choose academic tracks,
while those with lower academic performance preferred TVL tracks. The study also found that
peer influence and parental guidance played a crucial role in shaping students' track preference.
Students who had peers and parents who supported their preferred track were more likely to
choose it.
The study of Fizer (2013) revealed that family and friends are considered to be an
influential part of students’ choice of major.
Jüttler, et al. (2021) found that students' interest, career goals, and perceived benefits of
the track were the primary factors that influenced their track preference. The study found that
students who had a genuine interest in a particular track were more likely to choose it. The
study also found that students who saw the potential benefits of a track, such as employment
opportunities and earning potential, were more likely to choose it.
DEVELOPMETNAL THEORY OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT
According to Super’s (1990) Developmental Theory of Career Development,
high school students are at the exploration stage of career development, which
involves crystallizing and specifying their occupational preferences, while also
making preliminary decisions about their career choice. The review of the
literature showed the areas of a student’s life affect the plans, decisions, and
career choice they make: Gender, Parental Influence, and Peer Influence. The
study attempted to identify and differentiate to what extent these factors played
varying roles in future career choice
Frank Parsons is often called the “father of vocational guidance.”
His theory boils down to a simple concept: match people’s traits (like their interests, skills, and
values) with job requirements. He created a three-step process:
1. Know yourself—understand your strengths, passions, and skills.
2. Know the job market—research different job options and what they require.
3. Find the fit—align your traits with the most compatible career.
Why it matters: This theory is still widely used today in career counseling and tools like aptitude
tests, helping people align their abilities with available careers.
Career Construction Theory
This Mark Savickas theory is built on Super’s developmental self-concept theory. Unlike other
theories that tell you to find the perfect fit between your personality and job, Career Construction
Theory is more about the story you create.
It focuses on how you, as the main character, give meaning to your work experiences and build
your ideal career journey.
John Krumboltz (learning theory of career counseling -- LTCC) Krumboltz used Bandura's social
learning theory to identify the principal concepts for this theory of career development and
career counseling. Reinforcement theory, cognitive information processing, and classical
behaviorism are important concepts.
Learning experiences over the lifetime influence career choice. An individual's generalizations
and beliefs may be problematic and may need to be challenged by the career counselor. New
beliefs and courses of action may need to be learned and substituted. The Career Beliefs
Inventory of Krumboltz may be used to identify clients’ mental barriers preventing them from
taking action. Unplanned and chance events will influence an individuals' career development,
and such occurrences should be expected and taken advantage of Krumboltz refers to these
events as 'planned happenstance.'
INPUT
Factors affecting Grade 10 students in choosing their preferred track for Senior High School.
a. Factors affecting the grade 10 students in choosing their preferred track:
1. Parental Influence
2. Personal Interest
3. Peer Influence
b. Effects of the study to the decision of Grade 10 students
PROCESS
Conducting a Survey by giving Questionnaires
Identification of the factors affecting the grade 10 students in choosing a track
OUTPUT
Conducting a Career Guidance for the Grade 10 students
