Strategic Interventions in Improving the Academic Performance of Grade Six Pupils in Science of Kaytambog Elementary School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

This study is based on the Division Training Workshop on Project PRIME (Programmed Relevant Instructional Materials for Enrichment) wherein teacher-participants prepared programmed materials as enrichment activities and supplementary worksheets for the least mastered competencies in Science for Grade Six. The researcher embarked on testing these activities and worksheets as strategic interventions in teaching Science.

METHODS

Using experimental design, the Grade VI pupils of Tambo Elementary School were randomly assigned into three Experimental Groups wherein each group received a particular type of intervention and one Control Group which was subjected to the traditional way of teaching. A test was administered before the intervention(pre-test) and after the intervention (post-test).

RESULTS

Based on the results of this study, the different interventions such as computer-assisted instruction, additional readings and worksheet presentations, and increased direct teacher instructional time can have a positive effect on the pupils' performance in Science. Prior to applying these interventions, there were no significant differences among the four groups considered in this study. But after the interventions, significant differences were noted in the mean scores of students in the four groups. In addition, post-test results indicated that pupils under the experimental groups generally performed better than the pupils under the control group which was subjected to the traditional way of teaching.

DISCUSSIONS

There is sufficient evidence to say that there is a significant difference between pre-test and post-test scores across all groups. It is worth noting that even the traditional way of teaching can lead to a positive effect on academic performance. However, looking at the extent of significance, there is an indication that other interventions can make a more substantial effect.

As a direction for future research, expanding the scope and coverage of the study particularly in terms of sample size is seen as an opportunity to increase the generalizability and robustness of the results.