College and Career Readiness of Senior High School: Basis for Comprehensive Guidance Program

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Trends among adolescents continue to be discouraging in terms of career and college readiness based on the National Assessment of Educational Progress’ (NAEP) achievement reports and high school graduation rate data. This phenomenon was also observed in the division of General Santos City, particularly in Lagao National High Schools Senior High School. In fact, school career advocates have faced a real challenge of ensuring that necessary preparation is undertaken to improve readiness among SHS graduates. Thus, it was deemed imperative for the school to find relevant and responsive ways to assess the students' level of readiness in college and career. By determining the appropriate career guidance program for these students, schools can meet national and international standard. Hence, evidence-based practice in the guidance program was the main rationale for this study.

METHODS

This is descriptive research design. In a descriptive study, information is collected without changing the environment. This involves description, recording, analysis, and interpretation of conditions that exist among non-manipulative variables (Sevilla, Ochave, Punsalan, Regala, & Uriarte, 1992 in Navarez, 2010). A researcher-made instrument was administered to determine the level of readiness among SHS students. A total of 89 grade 11 students were randomly selected in both Technical Vocational and Livelihood and Academic Track. Data were analyzed using percentage and weighted mean.

RESULTS

The overall level of readiness in college and career among SHS students were moderate. Students' communication skills are moderately ready with a 3.16 weighted mean score; their collaboration skills are moderately ready with 3.50 weighted mean score; their creative thinking skills were rated with a 3.27 weighted mean. Moreover, their job search skills got a relatively low score among other constructs in the study with a 2.95 weighted mean score and their technical skills were moderately ready with a 3.26 weighted mean score as well.

DISCUSSIONS

This means that Senior High School students are moderately ready for college and career. Among the components measured, the job search skills obtained the lowest weighted average mean score of 2.95 which entails a need for improvement on this category. Based on the results, a comprehensive career guidance program was developed and recommended for implementation to senior high school students. This aimed at improving the college and career readiness of students, giving more premium to their job search skills.