ASSESSING THE TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL LIVELIHOOD

(TVL - HE) PIONEERING SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

GRADUATES: A TRACER STUDY

A Research Proposal Presented to the

Faculty of La Salle University - Basic Education Unit

La Salle University - Ozamiz City

In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements for the Subject

Research Project

by

NOTHEL JANE O. ARAGON

LEOWELLA ROSE C. CABALLERO
GERALD JAME DAWN M. CHIONG
ROUELLE JESSIE CUTAR
CHEMUEL IVAN L. DOCOR
DANIELLA C. GAYOSA
KATHERINE M. GONZALES
FRANCHYZKA HERA DEHL G. NA-AWI
FRANZ ASHLEY A. NALE
VICTOR TRACY C. MOMO
PRINCESS WENARD E. QUEJE

May 2024
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

TITLE PAGE i

TABLE OF CONTENTS ii

CHAPTER

1 THE PROBLEM AND REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

The Problem and Review of Related Literature 1

Review of Related Literature 3

Framework of The Study 6

Statement of the Problem 7

Scope and Limitations 8

Significance of the Study 8

2 METHOD

Research Design 10

Research Locale 10

Respondents of the Study 11

Research Instruments 11

Data Gathering Procedure 12

Statistical Treatment of Data 13

 Ethical Considerations 13

REFERENCES 15
 Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND THE REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

TVL-HE strand prepares students for immediate employment opportunities or

further education in specialized vocational training institutes, enhancing their prospects in

the job market. According to Asuncion (2020), the TVL-HE strand provides training for

livelihood and employable skills, qualifying students for a variety of baccalaureate

programs including Hospitality Management, Tourism Management, Nutrition, Food

Technology, Cruise Management, Business Education, and Entrepreneurial Management.

School shapes our careers by providing foundational knowledge, skills, and

qualifications that are often prerequisites for entry into certain professions, while also

offering opportunities for networking and personal development that can influence career

trajectories. According to the Team Varthana(2023), the school plays a crucial role in

shaping careers by imparting essential knowledge, skills, qualifications, and fostering

personal development and work habits essential for professional success.

Tracer studies are significant for assessing the effectiveness of educational

programs by tracking graduates' career paths, employment outcomes, and the relevance

of their education to real-world job market demands. The key strength of a tracer study is

that it can show how change evolves – not just what change happened but when it

happened as well (INTRAC,2017).

Addressing alignment issues between curriculum objectives, content, and

assessments is essential for improving educational program effectiveness and ensuring

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students achieve intended learning outcomes, as highlighted by Meij and Merx

(2016). Cordero et al. (2018) discovered that nearly all participants, graduates of La

Salette of Jones Batch 2018-1019, believed it's crucial to select a college course aligned

with their Senior High School (SHS) strand. This emphasizes the importance of

continuity in education and relevance to future careers.

Graduate tracer studies, as emphasized by Cuadra et al. (2019), are powerful tools

for evaluating post-graduation trajectories and professional achievements, offering

valuable insights into the effectiveness of educational programs. Tracer studies, such as

those highlighted by the International Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) Training

and Research Centre (INTRAC, 2017), play a crucial role in monitoring individual post-

intervention changes, aiding educational institutions in making informed decisions about

curriculum development and student support services.

The gap lies in the absence of studies tracking the outcomes of the first batch of

SHS TVL-HE graduates at La Salle University(LSU), Ozamiz. Understanding their

trajectories after graduation is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of the TVL-HE

program and identifying areas for improvement. This research could offer insights into

the challenges and opportunities faced by graduates, informing educational policies and

programs. Therefore, investigating the outcomes of these TVL-HE pioneering SHS

graduates presents critical information for the strand.

 3

Review of Related Literature

This chapter deals with the related literature and studies that helped explain and

define the concepts considered useful in this study.

Tracer Study

Tracer studies are an important tool for universities and educational institutions to

assess the outcomes of their programs and the success of their graduates. These studies

involve tracking the post-graduation pathways and contributions of alumni to society.

Tracer studies have also been conducted to analyze the post-graduation pathways and

contributions of K-12 pioneer graduates (Tracking Success: Analyzing the Post-

Graduation Pathways and Contributions of K-12 Pioneer Graduates, 2020). These studies

have revealed the return paths and social contributions of alumni, shedding light on the

usefulness of graduate tracer studies for institutions of higher learning (Return paths and

social contributions of African alumni revealed in tracer study, 2016).

Additionally, tracer studies have been used to improve undergraduate programs

by determining the extent to which graduates were employed and the nature of their first

jobs (The Use of Tracer Study in Improving Undergraduate Programs, 2015). Overall,

tracer studies provide valuable insights into the outcomes of educational programs and

the career trajectories of graduates, making them an essential tool for quality assurance in

higher education.
 4

Demographic Profile

The Future of Jobs Report (Weforum, 2020) provides a unique combination of

qualitative and quantitative intelligence to expand the knowledge base, which can be

useful in understanding the profile of these graduates.

Additionally, the study on the academic profile and college preparedness of K-12

graduates by Alpapara (2020) highlights the differences in preparedness based on the

type of senior high school where they graduated. The study by Alpapara (2020) on the

post-graduation pathways and tracer study of K to 12 pioneer graduates can provide

valuable insights into the employment status of TVL - HE pioneering graduates.

Moreover, the tracer study in senior high school graduates by Alpapara (2020) aims to

determine the profile of graduates in terms of gender, age, and evaluate their employment

status. This study can provide specific data on the employment status of TVL - HE

pioneering graduates.

Degrees Finished

The Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) Strand in senior high school is

designed to enhance students' technical skills for various careers (LIST: College Courses

for TVL Students, 2023). This includes the possibility of pursuing a degree in hospitality

management, tourism management, or culinary arts in college. Learning cooking skills at

an early age is important for skill retention, confidence, and cooking practices (Learning

cooking skills at different ages: a cross-sectional study, 2016).

 5

A study on the effectiveness of hospitality curricula and tourism management

programs at the University of San Carlos highlights the importance of course offerings

and descriptions in preparing students for careers in this field (Students' Perceptions of

Effectiveness of Hospitality Curricula and ..., 2016). Furthermore, the Institute of

Tourism and Hotel Management at Far Eastern University is known for producing quality

graduates in tourism management (A Comparative Analysis on the Career Perceptions of

Tourism ..., 2023). Overall, the TVL-HE strand in senior high school can provide a strong

foundation for pursuing degrees in hospitality management, tourism management, and

culinary arts in college.

Employment Status

Employment Status According to Bamboo HR (2023), is a current or former

employee's relationship with the organization they work for. Senior high school graduates,

particularly those from the pioneering batch, have varied employment statuses. While

some graduates enter the labor market, a significant proportion choose to continue their

education (Orbeta & Potestad, 2020). However, despite the intention of the Senior High

School (SHS) program to provide employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, a

significant proportion of grade 12 students plan to proceed to higher education (Orbeta et

al., 2018). The study also reveals that SHS graduates have a high manifestation of

cognitive, technical, and emotional skills, which contribute to their employability (Lee &

Kim, 2022). It is important to note that the performance of SHS graduates in the labor

market is mixed, with some performing better and others performing poorer compared to

their peers (Carada et al., 2022). Overall, the employment status of senior high school
 6

graduates is influenced by various factors, including their educational aspirations and the

perception of job prospects.

Theoretical Framework

This study is anchored on the Scalar Expectancy Theory by John Gibbons (1977)

states that decisions are influenced by the perceived value and likelihood of outcomes. It

emphasizes the evaluation of options through expected outcomes and probabilities,

subjective values attached to outcomes, outcome expectancies based on past experiences,

and decision-making driven by a mix of expected outcomes and subjective values. This

theory aids in predicting and influencing decision-making across disciplines like

marketing, psychology, and economics. This framework is crucial in understanding TVL

pioneer graduates' decision to pursue their chosen degree, employment, and profession.

The graphic organizer visually represents the flow of the study, showcasing the

interconnectedness of these elements within the TVL-HE program. By applying the

Scalar Expectancy Theory, the study involving TVL-HE pioneering graduates helps

understand how they make decisions about their technical and vocational livelihoods.

This involves analyzing their decision-making processes based on outcome value and

success likelihood, assessing subjective values attached to different career paths,

exploring outcome expectancies for success, and developing research-based

recommendations to address challenges and enhance opportunities for these graduates in

their technical and vocational fields. This approach provides insights into their

motivations and aids in crafting effective strategies to support their career growth and

success.
 7

Figure 1.

Schematic Diagram of the Study

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to answer the following questions:

1. What is the profile of TVL - HE pioneering graduates in terms of:

1.1 gender;

1.2 age;

1.3 degrees completed;

1.4 employment status?

2. Based on the findings, what research–based recommendations can be made to

address the problem?

 8

Scope and Limitations

This research traces the outcomes and experiences of Technical Vocational

Livelihood-Home Economics (TVL-HE) Pioneering Senior High School Graduates at La

Salle University (LSU) Ozamiz. The primary focus of this study is determining the

demographic profile, and career paths of TVL-HE Strand pioneering graduates. With

regard to the demographic profile, only the gender and the age are included. As to career

paths, only the completed degree, and employment status will be focused on.

Significance of the Study

The main focus of this study is to determine whether the degrees completed and

employment status of the first batch of TVL-HE graduates are aligned with the strand that

they completed in Senior High School.

School and Academic Administrators. This study gives an opportunity for

feedback that provides insightful information on the TVL program's performance as a

whole. Administrators can evaluate the program's effectiveness in preparing students for

their chosen careers by monitoring the professional pathways and accomplishments of its

graduates. assists in pinpointing particular training and curriculum areas that could need

improvement. Administrators can identify program deficiencies and strengths and make

targeted changes to improve the quality of education offered by examining the

experiences and results of graduates. Administrators may make sure the curriculum is

current and relevant to the needs of the labor market by knowing where graduates are

employed and the skills they use in the workforce.

 9

Future TVL-HE Students. This study would provide an understanding of the

results and effects of the TVL program for students enrolled in senior high school. The

assessment can demonstrate how successfully the TVL track fulfills two crucial

requirements for this educational path: immersion and real-world experience. The

program might include information on the successes and difficulties these graduates have

encountered in the workforce, as well as aid in understanding how well the curriculum

prepares students for technical and vocational employment.

Future Researchers. This study examines the immediate post-secondary

transitions of first-ever TVL senior high graduates, this tracer study pioneers

methodology and establishes baseline evidence for prevailing pathway patterns

researchers can further investigate as more cohorts advance. Succeeding scholars across

diverse fields can build on these initial tracers' findings to enlarge the scope, enrich

analyses, and track changes over time – generating insights to inform enhancements

across the entire technical vocational education ecosystem.

 Chapter 2

METHOD

This chapter introduces the research design, research locale, respondents of the

study, research instruments for data-gathering, and methods used for the study to explain

how the tracer study will be conducted. This would involve providing a detailed

description of the specific methods used to collect data, such as surveys, interviews, or

data mining techniques. Additionally, the section would discuss the approach taken to

select a representative sample of TVL - HE graduates.

Research Design

This study adopts a quantitative-descriptive approach, focusing on describing and

summarizing numerical data to gain insights into patterns, trends, and characteristics of a

particular population. According to the Dovetail Editorial Team(2023), these figures have

the potential to unveil patterns, correlations, and shifts over time, and can be discerned

through surveys, polls, and experiments. Quantitative methods involve the processes of

collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and writing the results of a study(Creswell,2009).

Longitudinal research involves beginning with a group of people who may be of the same

age and background and measuring them repeatedly over a long period of time (Clark-

Plaskie,2022).

Research Locale

The research study will be conducted at La Salle University - Basic Education

Unit, located at Abanil Street in Barangay Aguada, Ozamiz City. This educational
 11

institution provides an appropriate environment for the research, with access to the target

participant batch of the school year 2018 - 2019 of senior high school students in the

Technical Vocational Livelihood-Home Economics strand. The school's facilities and

proximity to these pioneering students will enable comprehensive data collection and

analysis as required for the research study.

Respondents of the Study

The respondents of this study will be the Grade 12 TVL-HE graduates of batch

2018–2019 at La Salle University Basic Education Unit. The first batch of TVL-HE

graduates will be chosen to be the respondents of this study for the reason that they are

the pioneering batch of the TVL-HE strand since the implementation of the K-12

program. The researchers will request the list of the respondents (TVL graduates) from

the university’s registrar with the approval of the school principal.

Research Instruments

This study will utilize a researcher-made questionnaire developed by the

researchers to trace TVL - HE pioneering SHS graduates. A Google Forms questionnaire

will be used to gather the needed data for the study as this would be the best option to

reach the respondents of the study. The questionnaires were made to get their (a) consent

to participate in the study, (b) profile in terms of their gender and age, (c) degree

completed, and (d) current employment status. The questionnaire consists of seven items.

The first two will inquire about age and gender; the next three will ask about the school

attended, the year of college completion, and the degrees obtained; the last item will

inquire about employment status, whether employed or unemployed. The Google Form
 12

Questionnaire will be reviewed, analyzed, and approved by the research adviser and

panel members before it will be used for the gathering of data.

Data Gathering Procedure

To acquire the information needed in the study, the researchers carried out the

following procedure:

Preliminary. The researcher will request for permission in the form of a signed

letter from the School Principal of Basic Education. This letter will grant authorization to

the list of TVL-HE graduates from the academic year 2017-2018 from the office of the

registrar at La Salle University-Basic Education Unit. The list of TVL-HE graduates

acquired from the office of the registrar will be used to counter-check whether the

respondents who answered using the Google Form questionnaire are actual graduates

from the TVL-HE Track at La Salle University batch 2018.

Data Gathering. After the approval of the letters, the researchers will gather the

data needed for the study. On the day of the survey, the Google Form Questionnaire will

be shared and posted on La Salle University-Basic Education Unit's official Facebook

page as its main audience is former and current students of LSU. The post will provide a

description of the study as well as a link to the questionnaire. The Google Form

Questionnaire will ask for the respondents' approval to participate in the study before

they can proceed to answer the questions. Although the researchers will not be physically

present during the process where the respondents will answer the questionnaire, the

survey form that will be used will provide sufficient and clear directions for the
 13

respondents' convenience. All data collected after the data gathering will be kept

confidential.

Statistical Treatment of Data

To analyze and comprehend the data collected for this study, descriptive statistics

will be used specifically frequency and percentage. This will help the researchers

determine how many TVL-HE graduates pursued a degree and employment aligned with

the strand as well as those who did not.

Ethical Considerations

The following concepts will be used in order to generate a precise, reasonable,

and factual investigation:

Privacy of the Respondents. Researchers ensured that the personal information

of respondents would be kept confidential, securely stored, and not shared without

consent. Respondents will be provided with the option to decline participation without

facing any pressure.

Security of Answers. The data collected will be safeguarded to prevent

unauthorized access or breaches by anyone other than the researchers. Personal data will

be kept confidential to minimize biases in the study.

Maintaining Orderly Consent. Researchers obtained informed consent from

participants, clearly explaining the study's purpose, risks, and benefits. Participants will
 14

be treated with respect and dignity to recognize the significance of their contributions to

the study.
 15

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 16

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