The Alignment of STEM Students Subject in Senior High School to the Subjects of their Top Chosen College Courses

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the level of alignment of the subjects taken by the students on STEM strand in Senior High School to the subjects of their top chosen college courses. Students who have recently graduated from high school are identified as underprepared and are required to enroll in specialized courses intended to provide the foundational skills for college level courses. There is much to be treated and studied in the area of the alignment of subjects in each strand to the courses offered in college; thus, this research is intended to bridge this gap.

METHODS

A content analysis design was utilized in this study. Convenience sampling was used in choosing a college university that will be part of the study since the researchers considered the nearest location among the top 3 universities chosen by the students.

RESULTS

Students' perception regarding the alignment of their subjects is advantageous because it will give every student the advantage of having an alignment of subjects in terms of student's duration of schooling. The study focused on finding the advantages the alignment of the subjects to college courses has on the student’s education. It discussed the importance of K-12 career for STEM students, the STEM student's top chosen universities, career or course for college, and the significance of alignment of subjects in terms of student's duration of schooling. These problem areas were treated through narrative report with contextual description. Based on the student's perceptions in the interview that was conducted, the significance of the alignment of their subjects at present to the subjects of their top chosen college courses relies on the time that will not be wasted on studying a specific area of knowledge that will not be a tool for their college course success. The said alignment allows the students to adapt in college world much easier since they already have a background and it would lessen the number of subjects they will be taking.

DISCUSSIONS

The findings from this study have strong implications that the subjects the students are taking at present is well aligned to the subjects of their top chosen college courses, aiming for reducing the need of developmental education in college, and for improving college readiness for high school students. The importance of this alignment canbe traced through observation about the way it helps the students perform better in college.