Exploring the Factors Influencing the Performance in Biology of Senior High School Students at University of Mindanao, Philippines

Abstract

This study used a sequential exploratory strategy of a mixed-method research design aimed to explore the factors and this also aimed to determine the extent of relationship between these factors and performance of Senior High School students in biology. Factor analysis was employed to develop the instrument derived from the interview of the informants for data analysis. The predictor variables were tested whether these predict the performance of student in Biology. Result revealed five factors namely: teaching approach, student-related factors, teaching strategy, teacher's motivation, and learning resources. The respondent' mean level of agreement of these factors have an agree qualitative description which means it is oftentimes true for them. Students' performance in biology was also determine. Grade 11 have a very satisfactory rating while Grade 12 obtain an outstanding qualitative description. Using Spearman's rho correlation, all factors are not significantly correlated with the students' performance in biology. Keywords: factors of performance; senior high school students in Biology; performance in Biology; sequential exploratory research; Davao del Norte I. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY iology always plays a vital component to one's education. It is a key element student need to learn and master in order to cope with the complexity of other disciplines in the Senior High School curriculum. However, recent standing of Biology proficiency among Filipinos is deteriorating and at par compared to neighboring ASEAN countries (Afe, 2001). Knowing that teachers are known to have an essential influence on the academic success of students, they also play a critical role in educational success because they are highly responsible for interpreting educational policies and principles into practical actions during interaction with students. Learning and teaching depend mainly on teachers, no wonder an effective teacher was intellectualized as one who yields desired results in the course of his teaching duties (Uchefuna, 2001). Moreover, the effect of teacher effectiveness on student learning results as reflected in the academic success of students has been the subject of numerous research (Schacter and Thum, 2004; Adediwura and Tayo, 2007; Adu and Olatundum, 2007). One study suggests that effective teaching is an important predictor of the performance of students. Effective teachers should therefore produce students with higher academic skills (Ajao, 2001). The Trends in Mathematics and Science Survey (TIMSS) alone which was conducted five years ago revealed unsatisfactory results; the Philippines ranked 42nd in Science out of 45 countries that were tested. Hence, the above accounts provide a framework of information into this study that will look into the factors that affect National Achievement Test (Barrientos, 2015). The current state of biological education in the Philippines, especially at the level of basic education, is lagging elsewhere in the world. The results of the Trends International Math and Science Study (TIMSS) put the Philippines in disadvantaged positions among the participating nations. In TIMSS, the Philippines ranked almost at the bottom of the list of 17 nations which took part in this large-scale evaluation of educational achievement (Langat, 2015). Nevertheless, the Department of Education (DepEd), Philippines has identified problems that coincide with the country's current tertiary school curriculum (Talisayon et. al, 2006). Unqualified and poorly trained teachers, inadequate facilities, and dilapidated instructional materials are among the school-related factors found. In Panabo City, Davao del Norte, Philippines, no study on the factors influencing the performance of senior high school students in biology was published. Statement of the Problem This study aimed to explore the factors influencing the performance of Senior High School students in biology. This was also conducted to determine if there was a relationship between the factors and biology performance of Senior High School students. Specifically, this study sought to answer the following objectives: 1. What are the factors influencing the performance of Senior High School students in biology? 2. What is the level of agreement on the factors that link to the performance of Senior High School students in biology? B