Effectiveness of Project We Care for Sardosin Reducing Dropout Rate in Tipas National High School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Re-engaging identified students who are at risk in academic, social, and co-curricular activities has been a major problem in our school. From SY 2014-2016, a lot of students dropped out from their classes. School data on the number of dropouts showed that there were 21 dropouts or 5.32% in SY 2013-2014; 28 or 3.04% in SY 2014-2015; and 48 or 3.80% in SY 2015-2016. Interview with students and parents revealed that dropping out is caused by the following reasons: lack of interest, child labor, early marriage, family problem, illness, taking care of siblings, parents' attitude towards schooling, and poor academic performance. During the previous year (SY 2015-2016), 42 challenged students had been identified which can be another reason for increase in the number of SARDOS.

METHODS

This study is a descriptive action research focused on the effectiveness of intervention activities for students-at -risk under the Project WE CARE for SARDOS (We Empower Committed and Active Re-Engagement for Students At-Risk of Dropping Out from School). The study was conducted in Tipas National High School, Tipas, San Juan, Batangas with 96 identified at-risk students enrolled during the school year 2016-2017 as respondents.

RESULTS

After all the action steps were done relative to the implementation of Project, WE CARE for SARDOS, the 3.80% dropout rate or 48 students who dropped out in S.Y. 2015-2016 was reduced to a great extent with 0.69% or only 9 students in S.Y. 2016-2017. Results of the study showed that the interventions and strategies used to solve the problem of the school on high percentage of SARDOS and the increasing number of dropouts had been very effective. The researcher was not only able to lessen the dropout rate, she achieved more than the target of 50% reduction.

DISCUSSIONS

The results reveal that the school head and the teachers should continue implementing the project not just for the purpose of achieving better results as reflected in the school's Key Performance Indicators (KPI) relative to the decrease in Dropout Rate but more so, for the sake of students' attainment of goals and desired competencies to make them fully equipped and functionally literate learners.