Determinants of student Performance in the Science Component of the National Secondary Assessment

Abstract

Determinants of student performance in the National Secondary Achievement Test (NSAT) were investigated in this study. It aimed to identify the factors that affect student performance in the science component of the NSAT. It was conducted to assess the interplay of curriculum context and instructional processes and practices as factors that affect the students’ performance in the test.

Quantitative analysis included the comparison of school profiles as associated with the student NSAT performance in the science are while qualitative analysis included the classroom discourses that depict what a science teacher is in terms of instructional process followed by them.

The sample consisted of 638 Palawan State University freshman students who came from the 78 secondary schools within the school divisions of Palawan during the Academic Year 2001-2002.

Data were gathered through questionnaire, checklist, interview guide, class observations, IQ test and scores in the NSAT.