Chapter I

Problem and Its Background

This chapter presents the introduction, background of the study, statement of the

problem, scope and delimitation of the study, significance of the study, and definition of terms.

1.1 Introduction

Determining and choosing something have consequences. It can either help or hinder you

in the future. According to Robbins, your life will change the moment you make a new,

congruent, and committed decision. It is also the same with the senior high strand that you will

have to decide. You will also use a lot of time, money and effort when you already knew the

strand that you will be taken.

Senior high school is a high school offering the last years of secondary education ,

usually consisting of grades 10, 11 and 12. Each student in Senior High School can choose

among three tracks: Academic; Technical-Vocational-Livelihood; and Sports and Arts. The

Academic track includes three strands: Accountancy, Business Management (ABM); Humanities

and Social Sciences (HUMSS); and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

(STEM).The main goal of this curriculum is to provide sufficient time for mastery of concepts

and skills, develop lifelong learners, and prepare graduates for tertiary education, middle-level

skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship.

High school students are at the exploration stage of career development. Many factors

affect career choices of high school students. These factors that might affect the decision of

students can be their academic experience, advise of others, family background, friends/peer
influence and educational aspiration. This career choosing requires mature and discussion since

their choice will decide what their future will be.

1.2 Background of the Study

Choosing a senior high strand needs attention and time. Nowadays, many students find it

difficult to choose the strand they want to take. The researchers will conduct this study to gather

information and facts about the factors that may affect a student on deciding what strand to

choose on senior high school. The researchers also want to help the students to know what

factors they will consider on choosing the track they want to take. The researchers will conduct

the study for the students, parents and other researchers to be aware on the said problem.

1.3 Objectives

General Objective:

 To determine the factors that may affect a student on deciding what strand to

choose on senior high school

Specific Objective:

 To determine if other people's opinion affects a student's consideration on

choosing senior high school track

1.4 Scope and Delimitations

This study covers the investigation on what are the factors that may affect a student on

deciding what strand to choose on senior high school. This study will be conducted at Tanauan

City National High School on January, 2018 with 20 Grade 10-students of Tanauan City
National High School. The data will be gathered using a questionnaire on the factors influencing

students’ decision.

1.5 Statement of the Problem

The researchers aim to determine the factors that may affect a student on deciding what

strand to choose on Senior High School.

Specifically, the study will answer the following questions:

1. What factor has the greatest influence in choosing their Senior High Strand?

a. Academic Experience

b. Advice of others

c. Family Background

d. Friends/Peer Influence

e. Educational Aspiration

1.6 Significance of the Study

The results of this study will be beneficial to students, their parents, and other researchers

to provide insights into career selection process.. The result of this study may be of great

importance to the following:

Students. This study will help them to develop their decision-making ability. It will also support

the students in choosing the correct and suitable Senior High Strand for them. This will be a big

help for the students who are confused on what to take.

Parents. This study will help the parents that serve as a main influence in their children’s

decision-making. Parents want their children to be successful in life and one factor which
influences success is a career choice. When students feel supported and loved by their parents,

they have more confidence in their ability to choose a strand that would be interesting and

exciting.

Researchers. Other researchers can used this study as a source of possible research topics about

the factors that may affect a student on deciding what strand to choose.

1.7 Definition of Terms

The following terms are defined to help the readers to have a deep understanding of this

study.

Factor. It is a circumstance, fact, or influence that contributes to a result or outcome.

Senior High School. It is a secondary school typically comprising the three highest grades.

Decision-making. It is the action or process of making decisions, especially important ones.