Effects of Special Program in the Arts Dance on Social Learning Behavior of High School Students

Abstract

NTRODUCTION

Recognizing the need to develop the potential of artistically inclined students, the Department of Education -aunched the Special Program in the Arts (SPA) in the year 2000. The Implementing Guidelines for the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 described this program as "Programs for the Gifted and Talented". This study determined the effects of the SPA-Dance on the students' social learning behaviors involving self, family, peers, and school.

METHODS

This descriptive research utilized the quantitative-qualitative type of investigation involving 10 Grade 8 students of the SPA-Dance 10 Grade 8 for the School Year 2016-2017 applying enumeration sampling technique. The researcher personally administered the researcher-made questionnaire-checklist comprised of social learning behavior concerning self, family, friends/peers and school, utilizing a four-point Likert scale consisted of: always (4), often (3), sometimes (2), and not at all (1).

RESULTS

The students' social learning behavior prior to enrolment in the SPA-Dance indicated an often practice of the majority of all parameters. Significantly, the family was ranked the highest among the four (4) parameters. However, self was rated the lowest. After two years in the SPA Class, students' social learning behavior towards self, family, friends/peers and school was rated often in which the family was ranked first, followed by school, self and friends being the least. The low result involving friends/peers impliedthat SPA students have shown less friend dependency.

DISCUSSIONS

From the data and findings gathered, it can be concluded that the students of SPA -Dance are individuals who possess healthy and positive social behavior even before they were enrolled in the program. With the program, their positive traits were enhanced. However, there are still some areas that can be improved. This can be done through a Leadership Enrichment Training Program (LETP) that can be may be recommended as an intervention to improve the weaknesses, and enhance the strengths of the students of SPA-Dance.