THE FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO POOR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

OF THE THIRD YEAR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

IN OUR LADY OF PEACE SCHOOL
IN THE YEAR 2013 2014



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A Thesis Presented to
The Faculty of High School Department
Our Lady of Peace School
Antipolo City



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In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for
English Elective



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by

DANIELLE ROSE Y. GLORIA
ELLA MAE G. GONZALES

III St. Joan of Arc

JANUARY 2014







CHAPTER 1
THE PROBLEM
In this era of globalization and technological revolution, education is considered
as a first step for every human activity. It ensures the acquisition of knowledge and skills
that enable individuals to increase their productivity and improve their quality of life. This
increase in productivity also leads towards new sources of earning which enhances the
economic growth of a country (Saxton, 2000). It plays a vital role in the development of
human capital and is linked with an individuals well-being and opportunities for better
living (Battle & Lewis, 2002). The quality of students performance remains at top priority
for educators. Educators, trainers, and researchers have long been interested in
exploring variables contributing effectively for quality of performance of learners.

Students in the United States made scant headway on recent global
achievement exams and slipped deeper in the international rankings amid fast-growing
competition abroad. American teens scored below the international average in math and
roughly average in science and reading, compared against dozens of other countries
that participated in the 2012 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA).
Vietnam, which had its students take part in the exam for the first time, had a higher
average score in math and science than the United States. Students in Shanghai
China's largest city with upwards of 20 million people ranked best in the world,
according to the test results. Students in East Asian countries and provinces came out
on top, nabbing seven of the top 10 places across all three subjects (Arkin, 2012).
The Philippines is a country with students that is gifted with intelligence and
thoughts. History is just one example of this, the National Hero; Dr. Jose P. Rizal is an
intelligent and bright student in his time. He represented the Philippines in European
countries and brought honor. He won in many competitions because of the intelligence
he have. He almost got all excellent in his grades while schooling in the different
schools and universities in the Philippines. This is one thing that Filipinos can be proud
off (Loro, Nuez, & Robles, 2011).

At present times, still, there are Filipinos are excelling in the field of academic
performances. Hence, as the time goes by, many students are getting failed in their
subjects. Instead of studying hard to have a good grades, students this days used to go
anywhere with their friends and stroll around, not thinking of their responsibilities as a
student. Aside from that, many students are pawned to addiction of computer games
which led the students to have cutting classes during school hours. These are just some
of problems that the students are facing now.This study aims to identify and analyze
factors that affect the quality of students academic performance (Loro& Mariano, 2011).

Based on empirical observation by the researchers as regards poor sleeping
experiences, the researchers as regards poor academic performances and its source,
the researchers are prompted to conduct this study focusing on the factors contributing
to poor academic performances of the third year high school students in Our Lady of
Peace School in the year 2013 2014 with the hope of improving the existing situation.
The researchers are hopeful that the quality of students academic performance would
be improved. The results of the study would serve as the basis of improving quality
education in schools. Also, the researchers are hopeful that the findings would help to
identify factors associated with poor academic achievement.
Statement of the Problem
This study will attempt to analyze the factors contributing to poor academic
performance of the third year high school students in Our Lady of Peace School in the
school year 2013 2014.
Specifically, it will seek answers to the following questions:
1. What is the profile of the student participants in terms of:
1.1 age;
1.2 gender;
1.3 academic ranking;
1.4 parents occupation;
1.5 proficiency in language;
1.6 family monthly income;
2. What are the factors contributing to poor academic performance of the
participants from Quarter 1 to Quarter 3?
3. Is there a significant difference in the factors contributing to poor academic
performance of the participants with?
4. Is there a significant difference in the factors contributing to poor academic
performance of the participants when grouped according to their profile
variables?
5. Based on the findings of the study, what plan of action / guidelines may be
proposed?























CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

The numerous studies and articles on the assumption that different factors
contribute to the poor academic performanceshave given the researcher sufficient
knowledge to start working on the topic. Moreover, the findings that have been
documented on the relationship between the student and the factors affecting to poor
academic performance have helped the researcher with a thorough understanding of
the content of the present study. The succeeding section will present a concise review
which is thematically discussed in the following order: Academic performance; Factors
Affecting Academic Performance; and Students Learning Preferences.

Academic Performance
Academic performance is continuously falling as student populations are
increasing. Student academic performance is monitored closely so as to identify any
student whose performance is likely to lead to academic failure. It refers to how
students deal with their studies and how they cope with or accomplish different tasks
given to them by their teachers. The faculty works with individual students to provide
academic guidance so as to maximize the chances of all students succeeding.
Nowadays, poor academic performance among children has been noted to be on the
increase in our environment despite efforts of improving the school curriculum and
quality of teaching. This has been a source of concern (Akpan, et al., 2010).
Academic achievement can be defined as excellence in all academic disciplines,
in class as well as extracurricular activities. It includes excellence in sporting, behaviour,
confidence, communication. Most people know that academic performance generally
refers to how well a student is accomplishing his or her tasks and studies, but there are
quite a number of factors that determine the level and quality of students' academic
performance (Scottk, 2012). Academic achievement is commonly measured by
examinations or continuous assessment but there is no general agreement on how it is
best tested or which aspects are most important procedural knowledge such as skills
or declarative knowledge such as facts. There is no question that much is expected
from our education system in terms of preparing future citizens, workers, and leaders.
To that end, schools are expected to influence students learning, socialization, and
even vocational preparedness (Blackorby, et al., 2003).
Factors Affecting Academic Performance
Nowadays, many issues affect the ability of a student to succeed in academics.
Most research revealed that there are factors contributing to poor academic
achievement of a student.
Family Factors. Families are the foundation of society. They have the greatest
potential for raising healthy individuals, but they can also wound their members in
places that will never heal. Many of us camefrom family situations that were highly
satisfying, and we report feelingnurtured, loved, and supported. Some of us were less
fortunate and camefrom families where we experienced high levels of control with less
nurturing,and we were dissatisfied with our experiences. According to Solo (1997),
theatmosphere at home helps to foster or break school success. Many children suffer
from what they hear and see at home. Domesticquarrels by parents result in child
neglect andeventually the learners performance will be affected negatively. Some also
suffer from lacked of love and care from parents because some are working abroad, or
some are not in good terms. This causes a great impact in the life of an individual. The
home environment also affects the academic performance of students. Educated
parents can provide such an environment that suits best for academic success of their
children. The school authorities can provide counseling and guidance to parents for
creating positive home environment for improvement in students quality of work
(Marzano, 2003). The academic performance of students heavily depends upon the
parental involvement in their academic activities to attain the higher level of quality in
academic success (Barnard, 2004; Henderson, 1988; Shumox & Lomax, 2001).

Peer Factors. Adolescence is a time of transformation in many areas of an
individuals life. This is the stage when a person becomes more aggressive and
impulsive in making decisions. Most of us call our friends as our second family. But
what if they influence you to do bad things; will you still call them a family? Peer
pressure is defined as when people encourage or urge you to do something or to keep
from doing something else, no matter if you personally want to do it or not (Ryan, 2000).
The more subtle form of peer pressure is known as peer influence, and it involves
changing ones behavior to meet the perceived expectations of others (Burns & Darling,
2002). Peer influence can have both positive and negative effects on an adolescents
academic performance and socialization. It is also assumed that peer groups may not
allow an adolescent to be themselves in the truest sense of the word. Adolescents
sometimes need to put on an act in order to gain acceptance from the specific group
with which they would like to be associated. As already eluded to, peers can also
provide many positive elements in an adolescents life. It is important, however, to
remember that peer influence can potentially have a deadly impact or other various
negative effects. It is vital for education-related professionals to understand the complex
aspects of peer influence in order to stop these negative effects before they occur.

Socio-economic Status. In every school, eachstudent represents a different
type of socio-economic background.A familys socio-economic status is based in the
familys financial income, parental occupation, and social status in the community.
Families with a lower socio-economic status often struggle with providing academic
support for their children. Limited time and financial resources make it difficult for
parents to create a home-based learning environment. Some parents in a low socio-
economic household cannot afford reading materials, technology and tutors for their
children andstudents often face additional challenges including a dearth of learning
resources, difficult learning conditions and poor motivation that negatively affect their
academic performance.When children do not have a positive learning environment at
home, it negatively affects their academic achievement level in school. Lower socio-
economic status students often display difficulty with language skills and struggle with
reading. In comparison to higher socio-economic status children, they are not as
accurate when completing mathematical tasks such as word problems or addition and
subtraction. As schools become aware of low student performance, students are often
assigned to lower school tracks. Consequently, students on the lower end of the
socioeconomic spectrum are forced to take lower level courses or vocational courses
that do not necessarily prepare them for higher education. Lower socioeconomic status
ultimately contributes to lower academic performance and slower rates of academic
progress. (Hart, 2007)

Students Learning Preferences
A good match between students learning preferences and instructors
teaching style has been demonstrated to have positive effect on student's performance
(Harb& El-Shaarawi, 2006). According to Reid (1995), learning preference refers to a
persons natural, habitual and preferred way of assimilating new information. This
implies that individuals differ in regard to what mode of instruction or study is most
effective for them. I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
(Confucius 551-479 BC) A quote that provides evidence that even in early times, there
was a recognition of the existence of different learning preferences among people.
Indeed, Omrod (2008) reports that some students seem to learn better when
information is presented through words, they are the verbal learners, whereas others
seem to be visual learners,they learn better when it is presented in the form of pictures
or graphics.Some are auditory learners, they prefer to just sit back and listen.Clearly ina
class where onlyone instructional method is employed, there is a strong possibility that
a number ofstudents will find the learning environment less optimal and this could affect
their academic performance.

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