Instructional Competencies and Academic Performance of Grade 7 Learners in Science: Basis for Action Plan

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The advocacy to promote academic excellence and quality education in the district of Amadeo, Cavite made the researcher decide to conduct a study that will determine the instructional competencies and how these relate to the academic performance of Grade7 learners in Science for the school year 2017-2018. It is in this aspect that the researcher conducted this study with the end view that she will be of help in producing quality and competent teachers for the future generation.

METHODS

This study used the descriptive method since it is the most appropriate research method to describe the competencies of secondary science teachers in terms of Social Regard for Learning, The Learning Environment, Diversity of Learners, Curriculum, Planning, Assessing and Reporting, Community Linkages, Personal Growth, Professional Development, and Academic Performance of Grade 7 learners, school year 2017-2018. The respondents were the secondary science teachers in selected schools of Amadeo, Cavite. The questionnaire was used as the basic tool for gathering data. It was lifted from the NCBTS-TSNA handbook (National Competency-Based Teacher Standards-Teacher Strengths and Needs Assessment Handbook).

RESULTS

The analysis revealed that respondents were assessed as very highly competent in terms of personal, social growth, and professional development; and community linkages. They were assessed as highly competent in terms of learning environment; planning, assessing and reporting; diversity of learners; curriculum; and social regard for learning. The academic performance of Grade 7 learners was Satisfactory. All variables under instructional competence were significantly related to the academic performance of students. An action plan was developed in order to improve the academic performance of students and at the same time the instructional competencies of science teachers. The teachers frequently encountered different problems in teaching Science. The action plan was acceptable. It will help to improve the academic performance of students and at the same time the instructional competencies of science teachers.

DISCUSSIONS

Based on the findings, teachers should be provided with technical assistance, training, and seminars in instructional competencies to help improve the academic performance of students. A study on teacher competency should be done on a regular basis. Instead of giving out supplementary reading materials, teachers should focus more on giving additional classroom activities and presenting video clips in class to make lessons more interesting to students which would eventually lead to an improvement in students' performance. The type of technical assistance to be given to teachers should depend on the factors that affect most of their teaching competencies. Overall teachers should aim to perform their best and demonstrate their competencies in handling the subject to attain the desired academic performance of students. Teachers should be encouraged to keep updated and stay interested in the development of the field of teaching to achieve advancement and cutting edge of knowledge. Staying updated with the trends in teaching can help ensure that teachers are teaching relevant knowledge and functioning at the current global teacher standards. More scientific research and studies on the similar topic should be done to give clearer outcome and provide bases for developing technical assistance, training and seminars to teachers. Future researchers may replicate the same study focusing on other topics in Science and other subjects. The same study can be conducted on a larger scale. Promote the implementation of the developed action plan to other subject areas.