The Relationship between Academic Performance in Specialized Subjects and

the Level of Confidence in Pursuing ABM-related courses of Grade 11

Students

Alfaras, Abigail Mae M.

 CHAPTER ONE

Introduction

Background of the Study

Many changes are happening in our society as time goes by. Along with these changes

are enhancements or amendments and innovation that can help our country to grow and develop.

K-12 Program is one of these. It aims to build a stronger foundation for education. This program

includes different tracks (Academic and Non- Academic) which will serve as effective tools for

students to know what particular path they should take and shouldn’t, if they will still pursue

college education.

Looking deeper, K-12, a 12-year program that is found to be the best curriculum under

basic education. It is also the recognized standard for students and professionals globally. The

college general education curriculum will have fewer units, for the subjects that are being taken

up in basic education will be removed from the tertiary level of education.

DEPED has always been transparent in the planning and implementation of K-12. There

have been regular consultations to be implemented.

Shifting the perspective, according to Merriam Webster, confidence is “a feeling of

having respect for yourself and your ability.” This characteristic is common to most leaders,

authorities, or role models of the society. They know how to give value to themselves and how

much their abilities ‘cost’. .

 One of the factors that is greatly affected by self-esteem is a student’s academic

performance. In various performances, activities, extra-curricular, and recitations, self-esteem is

always taken in account. One of the most essential skills that is a must not only in school, but for

everyone’s course of life as well.

Peering into the specialized subjects, these are essential for ABM students. It can deeply

boost the student's preparation and familiarity to their course. Business Mathematics,

Organization and Management, Fundamentals of Marketing, and Principles of Accounting are

those subjects crucial for the ABM students' course.

These specialized subjects will greatly impact the students, giving tyem prior knowledge

about the course they will take in college.

Deciding upon which course one will take, is something that needs to be focused on. This

study aims to know the relationship between academic performance in specialized subjects and

the level of confidence towards deciding course. Conducting this research is significant because

this can be a way for learners to determine if they’re already in full assurance or confidence

about the course that they will take. This study will be beneficial not only for students and

teachers but also for the School Administration. Many are still confused and indecisive about the

track that they’re currently taking. Their academic performance is an instrument for them to

know their skills and capacities. From this, they will be able to identify what field they’re aligned

to.
Statement of the Problem

The study “The Relationship between Academic Performance in Specialized Subjects and

the Level of Confidence in Pursuing Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM)- related

Courses of Grade 11 Students” seeks to answer the general question; Is there a significant

relationship between academic performance and the level of confidence in pursuing ABM-

related courses?

Specifically, the researchers would like to know the following:

1. What is the student’s profile in terms of:

a. Age

b. Gender

2. What is the academic performance of the students in terms of their general weighted

average in the following subjects:

a. Organizational Management

b. Business Mathematics

c. Fundamentals of Accounting

d. Principles of Marketing

3. What activities are given to students in their specialized subjects?

4. Is there a relationship between academic performance and the level of confidence in

pursuing ABM-related courses?

Hypothesis

There is no significant relationship between academic performance in specialized subjects

and the level of confidence in pursuing ABM-related courses of Grade 11 students.

Conceptual Framework/ Theoretical Framework

This study will use the different kinds of theories that will serve as a foundation in proving

this study.

The first theory was entitled Trait and Factor Occupational Choice (Frank Parson) on

determining the relationship of academic performance in specialized subjects and the level of

confidence in pursuing ABM-related courses of grade 11 students which states that occupational

decision making occurs when people achieved; an accurate understanding of their individual traits

(aptitudes, interest, and personal abilities) rational and objective judgement about the relationship

between their individual traits, and labor market. Second, was entitled An Attributional Theory of

Achievement Motivation and Emotion (Bernard Weiner) states that the cause of success and

failures involves some certain properties (concentration, stability, and controllability). These

aspects can also affect and influence expectancy of ones. Third, Social Cognitive Career Theory

(Robert Lent, Steven Brown, and Gail Hackett) which aimed at explaining three interrelated

aspects of career development; how basic academic and career interest develop, how educational

and career choices are made and how academic and career success is obtained which is very useful

as a guide on how they are related to each other. Fourth, Ecological Theory of Human

Development (Urie Bronfenbrener) states the definition of self-esteem has been defined as a

positive or negative attitude toward the self. Fifth, The Theory of Mental Self-Government
(Stenberg) states that given an indication of people’s preference of thinking patterns. Six, theory

of Performance by Don Elger, states that to develop six fundamentals concepts an individual

should engaged in collaborative efforts, enriching environments and reflective practices. Seven,

the triarchic Theory of Intellectual Abilitites ( Stenberg) states that the more we teach and success

students based on a broader set of abilities the more racially, ethnically and socioeconomically

diverse or achievers will be. The eight theory is Self-efficacy (cited on Frank Pajares) states that

help foster the outcome one expects. But originally Bandura stated that there is relationship

between the belief in one’s abilities and how well a person actually performs a task or a range of

actions. And the last theory is Social Learning Theory(Bandura) posits that people learn from one

another, via observation, imitation and modelling. The theory has been called a bridge between

behaviorist and cognitive learning theories because it encompasses attention, memory, and

motivation. Confident individuals anticipate successful outcomes. Students confident in their

social skills anticipate successful social encounters. Those confident on their academic skills

expect high marks in exams and expect the quality of their work to reap academic benefits.

All the theories that was written will serve as a guide in the researchers’ study. Since it

contains some reliable information that can relate in the researcher’s study. And will help the

researchers to determine the significant relationship between academic performance in specialize

subjects and the level of confidence in pursuing ABM-related courses.

Significance of the Study

This research aims to study the relationship between academic performances in specialized

subjects and the level of confidence in pursuing ABM-related courses. Many improvements and
innovations happens as time goes. This is along with the implementation of K-12 program which

aims to give students a high-quality education. This study will be beneficial for the following group

of people:

To Students. Conducting this study is significant because they can be a way for learners

to determine if they’re already in full assurance or confidence about the course that they will take.

This research study can prevent hesitations for students and shifting of courses in the midst of

semester.

To Teachers. This research study will serve as a guide for the teachers on how they will

motivate and teach their students and also help them to choose the right track.

To Future Researchers. This study will serve as a guide for future studies involving the

academic performance and confidence level of students in pursuing ABM related courses. Future

researchers will provide facts and relevant information in which they can compare them with.

Scope and Delimitations

The primary aim of the study is to find if there is a significant relationship between

academic performance in specialized subjects and the level of confidence in pursuing ABM-related

courses of Grade 11 Senior High School students of Paranaque National High School-Main. The

main focus of the study is only about the level of confidence and the academic performance of the

students. The researchers consider working on the study to help the learners to determine if they

are already fully equipped about the course they are going to take, to prevent hesitations in

choosing and shifting courses in the midst of semester. This study is limited only to Grade 11

Senior High School students who are taking up Accountancy, Business and Management in PNHS-
Main. The respondents will answer a researcher-made instrument which contains Likert’s Scale.

Here, the researchers include statements that will determine their level of confidence.

Definition of Terms

ABM- Accountancy, Business and Management, one of the six strands of Academic Track in the

K-12 Curriculum in the Philippines.

Academic Performance- the general weighted average (GWA) of ABM students in specialized

subjects.

Specialized Subjects- subjects that are related in ABM courses; includes Business Mathematics

and Organizational Management.

Confidence Level- is about the assurance, preparedness and certainty of the students in taking

ABM-related courses.
 CHAPTER TWO

Review of Related Literature

This chapter presents the rationale of the study, " The Relationship between Academic

Performance in Specialized Subjects and the Level of Confidence in Pursuing ABM-related

courses of Grade 11Senior High School Students ". The following articles and previous studies

will help the researchers to determine if there is a relation between the level of confidence and the

academic performance.

Self- confidence is the most influential characteristic of human being that can affect

learning, since it can exercise in determining a persons’ life. (Skehan,1989). It is also an

individual’s characteristic which enables a person to have a positive or negative realistic view of

themselves or situations that they are in. (Sieler, 1998). In other words, a person with a high self-

confidence has a realistic view of themselves and their capabilities which make them persistent in

their endeavors. In educational setting, academic confidence refers to one’s belief in his ability to

perform well in school. It describes whether one is an optimist or a pessimist when it comes to

schoolwork. According to Zakeri (2011), teachers’ action in the classroom as grounded in some

form of thinking is shaped by the teachers’ knowledge, attitudes and values. Evidence points to

powerful effects of teachers’ sense of efficacy concerning their instructional activities as well as

student attitudes and achievements (Atay, 2007). Because in the study of Wilson et al. (1987)

teachers’ knowledge has a high correlation between what teachers know and what they teach.

Based on study the Benefits of Studying Confidence, students who think they are skilled

in Math tend to perform well on Math tests. Confidence as studied in our work to date has been

the best predicator of achievement in both Mathematics and English. (Morony, Ping, & Strankov,
n.d.). Students who think they have given a correct answer to a question but are proven otherwise

may gain the necessary knowledge of the kind of math topics they are weak in. Basically, the

students’ academic performance showed that change in confidence was an indication of student

learning.

According to American Society for Horicultural Science (2011), “a change in confidence

was an indication of learning towards students’ academic performance”. The psychological

construct of confidence was the foundation of new research that examined university students’

confidence level.

Carver et al. (1994) defined it as an individual overall evaluation or appraisal of

themselves. But Cummings & Dunham (1989) defined it as the degree to which an individual

believes him/ herself to be capable, significant and worth (Pierce & Gardner, 2004). When there

is a low self-confidence, learners suffer from uncertainty, insecurity, fear and social distance

(Rubio, 2007). According to Flood (2008), student’s confidence in their skills and abilities,

perceptions regarding the role of university in career development, positive prior experiences of

learning accounting, and a desire to experience intellectual growth are all significant variables in

explaining variation in first year academic performance.

Rosenberg, as cited by Booth, said that the definition of self-esteem goes as a positive or

negative attitude towards ourselves. However, the contextual dilemma of “positive or negative”

remains uncertain.

According to Briggs (2014), the students that are assigned to the low confidence group

performed a worse than the students assigned to the high confidence group. Briggs (2014) said that
“the confidence and self-efficacy evaluate the effectiveness of targeted learning objectives on

students’ achievement.

According to DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro, students should ask themselves first

regarding the course or career that they would be taking after high school graduation. The subjects

and tracks that will be taught every semester will be a great help in order to know which path a

student is aligned.

Self- Determination Theory (SDT) states that man is born with an intrinsic motivation to

explore, absorb and master his surroundings and that true high self-esteem (Deci & Ryan, 1995)

is reported when the basic psychological nutrients, or needs, of life (relatedness, competency and

autonomy are in balance (Ryan & Deci, 2004; Reis, Sheldon, Gable, Roscoe, & Ryan 2000). When

social condition provides support and opportunity to fulfill these basic needs, personal growth,

vitality and well-being are enhanced.