Understanding the problem and the forces that impact dropout rates is critically important to developing effective strategies. When it comes to working with individual students to prevent a decision to drop out and failures, however, there is a serious barrier. To reduce the alarming dropout and failing grade rates, school systems focus prevention efforts in the beginning of the middle grades if not earlier. The K to 12 Program caters Independent Cooperative Learning (ICL) classes which address the problem of drop out and failures. However, one question for the implementation of this program is how competent are teachers to handle Independent Cooperative Learning classes. As part of the educational system, the researcher was motivated to conduct a study to determine the level of teachers’ competence; it will also reveal the factors greatly affect teachers’ competence in handling Independent Cooperative Learning in Science Classes.
Distinctively, it tried to find answers to the problem: How do teacher related factors affect teachers’ competence in handling Independent Cooperative Learning Classes in Mariveles National High School-Cabcaben during the School Year 2013-2014?
From the study, the succeeding conclusion emerged: (1) there was no significant difference between the perception of students and teachers in teachers’ competence. (2) When taken singly significant relationship was established between in-service training and teachers’ level of competence. When taken combination, all related factors show significant relationship with the level of teachers’ competence. (3) There are factors/views and perception taken singly and in combination greatly influence teachers’ Work Attitude regarding handling ICL Sessions.
Science Teachers perceived that Independent Cooperative Learning has several Potential benefits. This has been showed that throughout human history where researchers revealed that, regardless of the subject matter, students working in a small group tend to learn more of what is taught and retain it longer than when the same content is presented in other instructional format. Students who work in collaborative group also appear more satisfied with their classes. Organizing individuals to work in support of one another and putting the interests of the group ahead of one’s own are abilities that have characterized some of the most successful people of our time. Group learning, with its roots in ancient tribal customs, has traditionally been a part of educational practice.
As reflected in Performance Indicators Report this School Year, there is a decrease in the Drop-out rate from the last year’s performance from 2.92 to 0.99. Potential Drop-Out Students were encouraged to attend ICL sessions and were given activity sheets related to the topic/s. Enrichment Activities were assigned to do the task when they were not able to go to school.
Moreover, the Report on Failures also reflected a decrease of Failed Students in Science. The conduct of Independent Cooperative Learning has contribute a lot to this performance. The delinquent students were given a chance to cope with their absences every Friday as scheduled as ICL Sessions.
The study recommends that : (1)In as much as there would be difficulty for the teachers to abruptly shift their methods from teacher-centered to student-centered setting, school administrators may provide seminars, workshops, in-service trainings so that teachers will be encouraged, motivated and given the opportunity to upgrade the various teaching methods they employ in class. In-service Trainings, seminars/workshops, and other seminar activities addressing the needs of teachers must be conducted especially related in handling ICL not only in Science but also in other Subject Areas. (2) it was also revealed that respondents performed very well using Independent Cooperative learning strategy as scheduled every Friday of the week. Students’ activities should be made more varied in laboratory classes so as to enhance long term understanding of the nature of Science with the use of appropriate methods and strategies. (3)Faculty members should have more participation in the areas of researches. Add to this, teachers should be given incentives and encouragement to pursue their research works. (4) May conduct other researches on how ICL Sessions can be used to be part of the module of Sagip Aral Program.Compilation of ICL Activities/worksheets should be re-examined and revised as the need arises to include new and more student-participative activities.
By: Marijoy B. Mendoza | SSHT III | Mariveles National High School-Cabcaben | Mariveles, Bataan
