Factors Confronting the Students-At-Risk of Dropping out (Sardo): Basis for School-Initiated Dropout Prevention/Intervention Program

Abstract

Introduction

This study sought to determine the factors that confronted the Students-at-Risk of Dropping Out (SARDO) from the three public secondary schools in Paoay, Ilocos Norte: Paoay National High School, Paoay Lake National High School, and Malaguip Integrated School during the school year 2015-2016 as a basis for a school-initiated dropout prevention/intervention program. The factors that affected the performance of the SARDOs were classified according to domestic/family-related, individual-related, school-related, geographic/environmental and financial-related factors.

Methods

This is descriptive research which made use of a survey questionnaire and an unstructured interview to gather the needed data. The said survey questionnaire was administered to the three groups of respondents: the former advisers of the SARDOs, the SARDOs themselves and their parents. The survey questionnaire was patterned after the DepEd School Form 2 (SF 2). Modifications were made by the researcher to tailor to the purpose of this study. Frequency, percentage and rank distribution were used for the interpretation and analysis of the gathered data. The factors considered in choosing the SARDOs were the existence of failing grades in any subject in any grading period as the researcher believes that poor academic performance signals a problem confronting the student. These students were also found to be frequently absent from their classes based on their adviser’s records.

Results

The dominant reason why students may be at-risk for dropping out under domestic/family-related factors is "broken family". This is very closely related to the next prevalent reason "under the care of foster parents/or guardians". Under the individual-factors, the most alarming risk factors are "truancy, tardiness, absenteeism and cutting class". On school-related factors, "too difficult school works" is the most pressing concern while "distance of the home to school" surfaced under geographic/environmental factors. Under financial factors, "low family income" and "not enough allowance" prevailed with very close results.

Discussions

The overall findings revealed that the greatest factors were truancy, tardiness, absenteeism and cutting class. Through the unstructured interview, it was shown that students get absent due to various reasons like the need to help their parents earn a living for the family or due to financial constraints, peer influence as well as lack of interest in school.