CAREER TEST ASSESSMENT RESULTS: A DETERMINANT FOR K TO 12 CURRICULUM TRACKS AND STRANDS AND BASIS FOR ENHANCEMENT OF CAREER GUIDANCE DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAM

Considering now a days the significant role and the demand of responsibilities of the guidance counselors in assisting the students about their career decision making and with their eligibility in facilitating career coaching as well as career tests administrations and interpretations, the main objective of this study is to utilize the results of Philippine Aptitude Classification Test (PACT) and Philippine Occupational Interest Survey (POIS) of purposively selected one hundred twenty seven Grade 8 students, which is the result of Slovin’s Sampling, who are enrolled at Maryhill College, Inc. during school year 2013-2014. Utilizing the career assessment test results administered by the Center for Educational Measurement, Inc. (CEM), it further aimed to determine the particular K to 12 Curriculum Track& Strand that the respondents are most inclined with which will then be another basis for course offering of Maryhill College by school year 2016. As such, the research outcome heightened the enhancement purpose of the school’s Career Guidance Developmental Service as it has already an existing Career Guidance Developmental Program. Along with the methodologies and procedures being employed in the conduct of this study, the data revealed and was concluded that majority of the respondents take part in career choice and career pathing that coincide with their gender who are in appropriate entry age for Grade 8 level. As most of the respondents’ parents are professionally employed in the field of business enterprises, overseas, engineering, medical, and an administrative staff in either government or private agencies, it further conveys that most of the respondents’ parents can contribute to the educational needs and can be an influences to the career aspirations of their children. It also confirms to the findings of this study that the greatest influencing factor that interferes with the career decision making of the respondents are their family although they chooses their projected career goals through personal insights and decision making. Meanwhile, as the respondents overall aptitude ability index based on PACT was low which further implies an indicator of little skills into the desired proficiency levels, they have confirm this as they noted about their incompetency with their scholastic grades and a presumption for lack of skills (potentials/ strengths) as reveals on the other factors that interferes with their career decision making aside from their family. In this regards, it appears that respondents chooses a college program in lieu with other factors such as personal objectives and occupational opportunities that waits on them. Considering furthermore, the performance indicator of the respondents in terms of educational and occupational program measured in the PACT and POIS, it was revealed that the respondents has a good probability of succeeding in the field they wish to pursue particularly to Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, and Mathematics (STEAM) under the classification for academic track. With all other considerations, the demographic information obtained from the respondents has a significant relationship to the three career areas necessary in aiding the students’ career self-exploration. After the findings and conclusions have been presented and analyzed and with considerations to the recommendations being offered, the implication thereby of this research study is to provide the Maryhill College Administrators with a research-based input in portraying an strategic planning for the implementation of the most inclined curriculum strand of the pioneering batch of the K to 12 Curriculum System who are the respondents of this study. Furthermore, the implication of this study to the researcher, being a an affiliated practicing guidance counselor to the said institution is to enhanced the existing Career Guidance Developmental Program with the aid of the current trends in helping their students holistically possessed a competitive skills for whatever future endeavor they are inclined.