Factors Affecting the Perception of

Grade 11 of LPIHS in Choosing their Strand/ Track

Aguilar, Don Johnson L.

Palambiano, Rodolf A.

Odasco, Jessica P.

Urquiza, James Patrick A.

STEM 11-1B
 Chapter I

Introduction

According to Conception (2017) K to 12 (also K-12) is an education system under the

Department of Education that aims to enhance learners’ basic skills, produce more competent citizens,
and prepare graduates for lifelong learning and employment. One of the significant features of the K to 12
system is the integration of specialized tracks designed to help students in determining their respective
career paths. These four tracks-academics, technical-vocational, sports, and arts and design- are aimed at
enhancing a student’s ability based on what he wants to do after graduation. The Academic track has four
strand: Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM); Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics (STEM); Humanities and Social Science (HUMSS) and General Academics which is
(GAS).

Therefore, there are many possible stand that can be chosen by the students. Students can choose
their stand based on what they want to do and what they want to pursue in college. But, there are factors
that can affect their perceptions in choosing their strand.

According to Matt Maccfadden (2015), there are five (5) factors which influence the student’s
collage choice. The first one is geography. Location is significant in many students’ minds, either because
they want to live in certain part of the country or because of financial constraints. Second is financial; a
recent survey by The Higher Education Research Institute shows that the availability of financial aid
heavily influence college selection. The third is academic excellence and reputation. Although students
see how important academics is, they’re not looking at ranking lists to judge them, according to USA
Today. Students report that broader academic reputation leads their decision-making. The fourth one is
parent and peers. As much as kids don’t like to admit that their parents affect their decisions, parental
input does matter, according to higher ed consultants Noel-Levitz. On the other hand, students are also
affected by peers, but as a study by ACSD points out, that relationship is correlational. Research haven’t
determined whether like-minded students tend to become friends or if friendship affects college choices.
The last but not the least, marketing. The 2014 Social Admissions Report, a survey of college-bound high
school students, shows that institutions’ websites are the most heavily-accessed online resources, with
86% of respondents listing these as very or extremely useful.

Moreover, as you look at it, it is quite similar on the factors that affect students in choosing their
strand for senior high school. This is because the factors that Matt Maccfadden (2015) gave is also
applicable for junior high school students in choosing their stand as preparation for senior high school.

Furthermore, according to Darren Fizer (2013), factors such as interest in field, academic ability,
familiarity, economic stability, and influential people can all play a role in the decision of choosing career
and major.

In addition on what Darren Fizer (2013) said, his claims also supports the factors that affect the
students in choosing their strand. Interest in field is somewhat similar to its preferred academics subject of
the student while academic ability is absolutely the same as academic performance. Aside from that,
economic stability is also the same as the student’s financial status and influential people around the
student might also refer to as the family or the peers. This study is worth of conducting because this will
help the students to determine what factors or thing that influences or make them changed their minds in
making decisions. This study aims to weigh how much these factors affect them in choosing their
preferred strand for the senior high school.

Background of the Study

Many of the students can’t think and decide what they want to choose for senior high school
strand or tack. Many of them are confused on what they want to do in college. Some of them get
pressured that’s why it leads to wrong decision.

There are many factors that can affect perception and decisions making in life. Decision making
is logical way of thinking that requires serious and mature decisions. According to Herr (2010), at 17
years of age students are capable of making realistic career decisions. Every decisions has a huge impact
in lives. Choosing a career was a grievous matter that needs to be thought out seriously because it’s all
about his future, how it will going to be or what will be the result of because it’s all about his future, how
it will going to be or what will be the result of it. Some factors that affect a student in choosing his/her
career or strand is financial status of the family. They don’t have enough financial to support their chosen
career that’s they find another options or strand even if they don’t have a choice. Next is parents, parents
choose strand or course for their children but they don’t even ask what their children wants to do or love
to do. It will make a huge impact for the children in the future, and also peer or friends can also influence
them in choosing their stand because according to research like-minded students tend to become friends
so there’s a possibility in choosing the same track and strand. Aside from that, name of school can also
affect the student’s choice of strand or track. It is because students have their own standards. On the other
hand, their choice of strand or track is also depends on individual academic performance. It can affect the
choice of the student in a way of assessing their own performance of they are good in a particular subject
if they like it that much. All the factors or backgrounds mentioned above helped in obtaining the right
skills in the chosen area

This study will help the students to be aware and cautious in creating their decisions.

Statement of the Problem

1. What are the following factors affect students’ perception in terms of:
1.1 Geography
1.2 Financial Status
1.3 Academic Excellence/ Performance
1.4 Family and Peers
1.5 Marketing
2. What is the impact of your chosen track in relation to the factors considered by the
respondents?

Significance of the Study

This study about the factors that affect the perception of students in choosing their strand will be
beneficial to following:

First, the students, this study will help them to be more aware of the factors that can affect their
perceptions in choosing their strand. It can also help them to understand that they need to think and decide
seriously in choosing their strand based on what they want to do.

Second, the parents because this study will help them to be informed of the newly implemented
program of the Department of Education. They will be informed of the basic information that this
program possesses and also they will be able to guide and help their children in deciding what strand their
childer want to take.

Third, for the teachers, this study will help them to have an opportunity to easily be hire in any
school because K12 Program needs additional teachers that will going to teach the senior high school
students.

Fourth, this study will also help the employers to be aware that the people who is applying to
them have enough knowledge and skills that is needed on the job they’re applying. Aside from that, it will
also help them to hire easily as they know that the people who is applying met the international standards
of having additional two (2) tears in high school.

Scope and Limitation

The focus of this study is on finding out the factors that affect the perception of Grade 11 students
in LUIS PALAD INTEGRATED HIGH SCHOOL, CITY of TAYABAS Yr. 2017-2018.

The respondents of this study will be randomly selected from each sections belonging to different
type of strands. Ten (10) respondents from each strands.

This study will use a questionnaire that thirty (30) STEM students respondents will answer
individually to know their perspectives and factors in choosing their strand. Each questions in the
questionnaire will be divided into categories such as geography, financial status, academic performance,
family and peers, and the last one is marketing. This study will begin on February (2018) to March
(2018).

Chapter II

Review of Related Literature and Studies

This chapter includes texts, articles, and citations that is related to this research.

Related Literature

Juliusson, Karlsson, and Garling (2005) indicated that the past decisions influence the decisions
people make in the future. It stands to reason that when something positive result from a decision, people
are more likely to decide on a similar way, given a similar situation.
 On the other hand, according to Sagi & Friedland (2007), people tent to avoid repeating past
mistakes. This is significant to the extent that future decisions made based on past experiences are not
necessarily the best decisions.

Moreover, according to West and Toplak et.al (2008), there are several cognitive biases that
influence decision making. Cognitive biases are thinking patterns based on observations and
generalizations that may lead to memory errors, inaccurate judgements, and faulty logic. Cognitive biases
include, but are not limited to: belief bias, the over dependence on prior knowledge in arriving at
decisions ; hindsight bias, people tend to readily explain an event as inevitable, once it has happened;
omission bias, generally, people have a propensity to omit information perceived as risky ; and
confirmation bias, in which people observe what they expect in observations;

Furthermore, as stated by Shah & Oppenheimer (2008), cognitive biases influence people by
causing them to over rely or lend more credence to expected observation and previous knowledge, while
dismissing information or observations that are perceived as uncertain, without looking at the bigger
picture. While this influence may lead to poor decisions sometimes, the cognitive biases enable
individuals to make efficient decisions with assistance of heuristics.

In addition to past experiences and cognitive biases, Juliusson et.al (2005) said that decision
making may be influenced by an escalation of commitment and sunk outcomes, which are unrecoverable
costs. People make decisions based on an irrational escalation of commitment, that is, individuals invest
larger amount of time, money, and efforts spent on a project. As a result, decision making may at times be
influenced by ‘how far in the hole’ the individual feels he or she is.

According to Fizer (2013), college students choose their job fields for many reasons. The factors
that affect this decision include family, passion, salary, and pas experiences. In additional to these factors,
race and gender can also affect what field a student may choose. Some professions have greater
percentages of a certain gender or race. Another thing that play a big role in a student’s decision of what
field to study is the people or role models in his or her life. Theses role models can include a parent,
teacher, or a recent employer.

In additional to that, Fizer (2013) also said that choosing a career path is a huge part of a young
man or woman’s life. The career path students choose will affect how they will live the rest of their life. A
lot of students go through college with knowing what career path they want. Before students can pick a
career path they need to experience what the career is like and what is involves.
 Moreover, as stated by Beggs et.al (2008), many students choose their major based on their
academic ability. However, some students do not have the ability or the work habits to succeed in some
majors that may require more study than other fields of studies. Theses student may find a better fit in a
less work intensive major that requires fewer difficult classes. This affects the career paths of these
students. Other students have the ability to handle majors with greater workloads and choose the career
path that will lead to a job requiring more education.

On the other hand, Beggs et.al (2008) also said that some students have the drive to put in the
work in very labor intensive fields but do not have the intelligence to perform the task that are needed for
their chosen field. These students often receive help from tutors, special education teachers, and special
exceptions when taking exams and doing homework. Students are given very opportunity to excel and
work in their field.

Lastlym, Mihyeon (2009) asserted that the confidence that a student gas determine how far a
student will go with their education. Students who believe in themselves have more confidence and are
more likely to go for what they want instead of settling for something that is comfortable.

Local Literature

Aguado, Laguador and Deliger (2015) has stated that it is the personal choice of the students to
enroll in maritime program in Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas (LPU-B) with the support
primarily from their parents wherein quality education through being known as home of board
topnotchers and its standards are considered big factor for their decision.

To sum up, Beggs et al.(2008) said that many students choose their major based on their academic ability.
However, some students do not have the ability or the work habits to succeed in some majors that may
require more study than other fields of studies. These students may find a better fit in a less work
intensive major that requires fewer difficult classes. This affects the career paths of these students. Other
students have the ability to handle majors with greater workloads and choose the career path that will lead
to a job requiring more education.

Similarly, Fizer asserted that the factors that affect this decision include family, passion, salary, and past
experiences. In addition to these factors, race and gender can also affect what field a student may choose.
Some professions have greater percentages of a study is the people or role models in his or her life. These
role models can include a parent, teacher, or a recent employer.
On the other hand, Ramirez and Dizon (2014) said that graduating students from secondary schools may
not have solid decision on where to go in college and what degree program they may possibly take. They
are planning to enter college without clear idea of what career to pursue for their future.

Thus, they may sometimes consider the people and the information they received within their
environment (Hrnciar & Madzík, 2013).

Related Studies

According to the research of Vallente, Cleo, Albia Ian, Gayosa, John Michael et.al (2016) about
Factors influencing Student’s Choice for a Senior High School Academic Track. The summary of the
factors gave the greatest influence on the student’s decision in choosing a college degree regarding of
academic experience, educational aspiration/ expectation, recommendation from other, friends or peer
influence and family background. The overall mean is qualitatively described as moderately influencing.
Among the five factors, educational aspiration had the highest mean followed by the academic
experience. The third one is the family background followed by the 2nd lowest means, the friends and peer
influence and the advice from others.

Based on the study of Alba, Kenneth Eduardo Castilo, Bertol et.al (2011), one of the biggest
problems of graduating students in high school is to decide on what course they will take in college.
Accepting the fact that there are mere factors that affect their decisions. The factors affecting the most is
the financial stability of the family. Second is the money because money is the greatest obstacles that
serves as a hindrance on the path of a student. Third is to have work with their own skills. The students
have the potential to pursue their career because the skill they have is appropriate for their course. Fourth
is reaching their goals. In college, the students’ goal is to study harder for them to graduate and to have a
good job right after they graduate.

As stated in the book of Gordon (1995), an estimated 20 to 50 percent of students enter college as
“undecided” and an estimated 75 percent of students change their major at least one before graduation.
When looking at the statistics, it is obvious that choosing a major has serious implications for the majority
of students, not just undecided ones. It is also important to note that “decided” students are not necessarily
basing their decision of major on factual research and self-reflection.

Moreover, according to Evans et.al (2010), most students will not be developmentally ready to
make effectively choose a major is not until the stage of multiplicity.
 Furthermore, as stated by Bloom (2008), using positive advising techniques and encouraging
changes in campus culture would be effective. Specifically, these enhancements include the use of
appreciative advising, which is asking positive, open-ended questions when helping students consider
goals, passions, and interest-all of which are vital aspects of major (2008), more than 800.

On the other hand, according to a survey of Beggs, Bantham & Taylor (2008), more than 800
students who were asked to elaborate on their career decision-making process factors that played a role
included a general interest the student had in the subject he or she chose; family and peer influence; and
assumptions about introductory courses, potential job characteristics and characteristics of the major.

Aside from that, Olambi and Olawaiye (2013) said that the findings indicate that student differ
with regards to career perception. This could be that people have different desires when choosing a career.
Some people desire money, some desire adventure and some want to make a difference in their
environment.

In additional, Dennison, Poole and Qaquish (2007) mention that some students who studied social
works had a negative perception of their chosen career due to the amount of salary earned after
completing their studies.

According to Kettwell & Henry (2009), the study found that 272 (91.9%) of all respondents
indicated that having prior knowledge of what a career entails is important to developing interest in a
career. In fact having prior knowledge prepares an individual to what one is about to enter and therefore a
decision will be made while well aware of what one is to expect, what work habits are expected of them
and the potential earnings. In addition, prior knowledge acts as a lens through which we view and absorb
new information.

Definition of Terms

The following terms/ are used to make this research work clear and easily to understand.

K-12 – an education system under the Department of Education that aims to enhance learner’s basic
skills, produce more competent citizens and prepare graduates for lifelong learning and employment.

HUMMS – strand is designed for those who wonder what is on the other side of the wall. In other words,
you are ready to take on the world and talk to a lot of people.
General Academic Strand – is great for students who are still undecided on which track to take.

Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM) – strand would focus on the basic concepts of financial
management, business management, corporate operations, and all things that are accounted for.

Perception– the organization, identification, and interpretation of sensory information in order to

represent and understand the presented information, or the environment.

Local Studies

According to Pascual (2014), most of the student-respondents preferred to take courses under Scientific
fieled with 28 out of 69 or 40.6% of the respondents prefer courses which include engineering courses,
BS Statistics and BS Geology.

Furthermore, Pascual (2015) also stated that the next highest course preferred by the students are the
Professional courses with 20 out of 69 or 29.00% of the respondents prefer these course. Most of the
courses preferred by the students under this category are medicine related courses such as BS Pharmacy,
BS Nursing and Medical Technology course.

On the other hand, according to a survey of Beggs, Bantham, & Taylor (2008), more than 800 students
who were asked to elaborate on their career decision-making process, factors that played a role included a
general interest the student had in the subject he or she chose; family and peer influence; and assumptions
about introductory courses, potential job characteristics, and characteristics of the major.

To sum up, Mihyeon (2009) asserted that the confidence that a student has can determine how far a
student will go with their education. Students who believe in themselves have more confidence and are
more likely to go for what they want instead of settling for something that is comfortable.

On the contrary, as stated by Gordon (1995) an estimated 20 to 50 percent of students enter college as
“undecided” and an estimated 75 percent of students change their major at least once before graduation.
When looking at the statistics, it is obvious that choosing a major has serious implications for the majority
of students, not just undecided ones. It is also important to note that “decided” students are not necessarily
basing their decision of major on factual research and self-reflection.

Lastly, Fizer (2013) said that choosing a career path is a huge part of a young man or woman’s life. The
career path students choose will affect how they will live the rest of their life. A lot of students go through
college without knowing what career path they want. Before students can pick a career path they need to
experience what that career is like and what it involves.
 Chapter III

Methodology

This chapter deals with methodology and procedures used in gathering data needed for this study.
This includes the locale of the study, research design, sources of data and instrument utilized in
data-gathering.

Research Design

The type of research design used in this research is a case study. In this study, the researchers will
use a qualitative approach of research employing a descriptive method where in the response of
Senior High School students about the factors that affect their perception in choosing their strand/
track will be deliberately describe. The researchers will use survey questionnaire to gather
information from the respondents.

Research Locale

The researchers will conduct the study in Luis Palad Integrated High School in the City of
Tayabas. The respondents of this study has been randomly selected wherein there are twenty four
(24) ABM students, twenty seven (27) HUMSS, fourteen (14) STEM and twelve (12) GAS which is
in total has seventy seven (77) students respondents that will give their answers regarding their
perceptions about the factors that affect them in choosing their strand.
 Chapter IV

Result and Discussion

This chapter aims to present the qualitative analysis and interpretation of the data that has been
gathered by the researchers. This study wants to determine how certain factors such as geography,
financial, academic performance, family & peers and marketing affect the choice of the students from
Luis Palad Integrated High School in terms of their prefer strand/track. The data gathered by the
researchers will examined the questions that has been stated in the statement of the problem.

Figure 1.

Based from Figure 1, there are 27 students from HUMSS who has been divided according to what
they have answered in the questionnaires that the researchers has given to them. It can be seen that 10
students or most of the students answered financial status as the main factor that affect them in deciding
and choosing their strand. Some students said that their parents cannot afford their education in private
schools and universities which offers better facilities for their chosen strand but in exchange need to
endure the more expensive and costly tuition fees and other miscellaneous fees so their parents decided to
enroll their children in public school such as Luis Palad Integrated High School. In addition to that,
academic performance is the second highest preferred factor of the students in deciding about their strand.
Some said that the majority of the schools in the province has a requirement of having an excellent or
high grades to be able to be admitted. So they decided to choose HUMSS in Luis Palad as there are no
any requirements of having a higher grade. On the other hand, only 2 students from HUMSS strand said
that they have been influenced by marketing or the promotion of their chosen school in the internet. It
implies that most of the students from HUMSS didn't made their decisions based on what they saw in
advertisements and promotions.

HUMSS
Geography
7%
26% Financial
19%
Academic Performance
11%
Family and Peers
37%
Markerting
Figure 2.

Based on the figure 2, it shows that 8 students--respondents answered financial status as the most
factor that affects them in choosing their strand/ track. Some of them has lack of support in financial. It’s
because of poverty, presumably parents allows their children to go on school but when it comes to
financial, they have lack of support. So some of them chose their strand/ track based on what their parents
can provide. On the other hand, 6 students--respondents answered Family and peers. They said that they
are influenced by their family. It affects them in choosing their strand/track because their family are the
ones who chose their strand for them. In addition, academic performance also affects them in choosing
their strand. Majority of the schools requires high grades or excellences in able to be pass on those school.
Students also choose their strand based on conveniences where they can easily go to their school without
hustle and they don’t have to pay big amount for the fares. Also, some of the others are influenced of
advertisements and promotions.

ABM
Geography
12% 15%
Financial

23%
Academic Performance
31%
Family and Peers
19%
Markerting

Figure 3.

Based from Figure 3, it shows that financial status also plays the biggest role for the students to
choose STEM as their preferred strand. Students answered that their family income is not enough for
them to pursue STEM in state universities as this strand would require a large sum of money for the
tuition fees and other miscellaneous fees. They also said that even though there are vouchers to support
them for their expenses, their budget will not be enough to buy the things that is not included in the
voucher such as the books, modules and other paperwork's. Aside from that, some STEM students also
stated that the convenience that Luis Palad Integrated High School offers has influenced them in pursuing
their chosen strand to that school. They said that they will no longer suffer from the hustle and expensive
transportation fee cause by great distances. On the other hand, only 1 student asserted that he has been
influenced by the marketing or the promotion of Luis Palad National High School as a newly integrated
High School. It implies that only few students have seen Luis Palad Integrated High School in internet,
websites, pages or groups.

STEM
Geography
7%
13% 27% Financial

Academic Performance
20%
Family and Peers
33%

Markerting

Figure 4.

Based from figure 4, the student--respondents answered financial status, academic excellence and
family and peers as the main factors that affects their perception in choosing their strand/track. On the
other hand, the least are geography and marketing. The GAS students mostly affects by financial, as same
reason of other student, and academic excellence. They can’t even decide what they want to pursue and
what they wanted to do in senior high and also in college that’s why they chose GAS as their strand.
Though, GAS has big advantages because it is all around. So they can freely choose what they want to do
in college because they had different backgrounds about other strands that presumably connected on their
courses.

GAS
Geography
9% 9%
Financial
27% 28%
Academic Performance

Family and Peers

27%
Markerting
 Chapter V

Summary, Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations

This chapter deals with the summary of findings, conclusions and recommendations based on the

Data gathered, presented, analyzed and interpreted in the previous chapter.

Summary of Findings

Based on the analysis made on the data gathered, the following are derived:

1. The study revealed that the majority factor affecting the perceptions of the grade 11 students in

Luis Palad Integrated High School is financial status. Students answered that their family income

is not enough for them to pursue their desired strand like STEM in state universities as this strand

would require a large sum of money for the tuition fees and other miscellaneous fees.

2. The majority of the respondents choose their strand because of academic excellence. They said

that they choose their strand because there’s no requirement to have excellent grades to be able to

admitted like HUMMS and GAS but some of the respondents says that they choose their strand

because it is connected to their desired profession and their grades is qualified to to this type of

strand like STEM and ABM.

3. This study revealed that some of the student perception are affected by family and peers.

4. The greater number of the respondents specified that geography and marketing did not affect their

perception in choosing their strand.

Conclusions

1. The researchers can conclude that the chosen factors are all affect the perceptions of the grade 11

students in choosing their strand.

2. Therefore, the researchers can conclude that some of the respondents are not happy and

compatible in their chosen strands because they revealed that the factors affect their perception.

3. The researchers can conclude that the three (3) majority factors affect the perceptions of the

students in choosing their strand are financial status, academic excellence and family and peers

Recommendations

Based on the conclusions of the study, the following recommendations are made.

1. The researchers should give priority to all grade 11 students in Luis Palad Integrated High

School for broad and accurate answers from the respondents to conclude precisely.

2. The researchers should seek resources and develop more advance methods to obtain data and

information easily.

3. Students should use critical thinking before they choose their strand.

4. The future researchers should think more factors affecting the perception of grade 11 students

in choosing their strand to give more options to the respondents.