Pushed or Pulled: A Comparative Analysis of Factors Affecting Dropout Rate Among Students of the Looc Integrated School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The cause of a student dropping out is often termed as the antecedent of dropout because it refers to the pivotal event which leads to dropout. Moreover, research on school dropout extends from early 20th-century pioneers until now, marking trends of causes and prevention. However, specific dropout causes reported by students from several studies have never been examined together, which, if done, could lead to a better understanding of the dropout problem. Push, pull, and falling out factors provide a framework for understanding dropouts. Push factors include school-consequence on attendance or discipline. Pull factors include out-of-school enticements like jobs and family. Finally, falling out factors refer to disengagement in students not caused by school or outside pulling factors.

METHODS

The Descriptive Correlative Approach was utilized in the study. The researchers used the questionnaire, observation, data analysis, and informal interview guide as instrument. The researchers used the descriptive method to measure the mean perception of the students on the factors that include school-consequence on attendance; out of school enticements; and students' disengagement.

RESULTS

Generally, all the given factors related to the cause in dropping out of students received an interpreted mean of high; the push factors including the school consequences on attendance or discipline received an interpreted mean of high also; the pull factors that include out-of-school enticements like jobs and family was interpreted high; and the falling out factors that refer to disengagement in students received an interpretation of high. The correlation between the push and pull factors received an interpretation of high meaning that the push and pull factors are intertwining to one another that contributes to the dropping out reasons of the students.

DISCUSSIONS

The results revealed that there were many factors that can greatly affect the reasoning of students in choosing to drop out from the school. Thus, teachers, administrators, parents, and other stakeholders must work together in honing and motivating the students to continue attending school. Positive reinforcement towards students is highly encouraged to motivate them to finish schooling as well as create an environment of positive feedbacks that lead to open communication. An in-depth research is encouraged to further provide concrete solutions to address the said gap.