Factors affecting the attrition rate of B.S. Mathematics students in Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila / Marcelo, Felix Martin E. and Marron, Kyla S. 6

Undergraduate Thesis ( BS Mathematics) - Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. 2010. 56

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ABSTRACT: The main thrust of this study focuses on determining the factors that affect the attrition rate of B.S. Mathematics students in Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. Specifically, the study sought to answer the following questions. 1. What is the profile of student attrition from 2004-2009? 2. What are the profiles of the respondents in terms of the following: a. Gender b. Age? 3. What is the profile of the means of the respondents survey in terms of the following factors: a. Student b. Teacher c. Structure of educational experience d. Culture of the discipline? 4. Is there a significant difference between the general means of the factors that contribute to student attrition? The hypothesis of this study was formulated based on the theories and principles acquired about the respondents. 1. There is no significant difference between the general means of the factors that contribute to student attrition. To answer the above questions, dismissed students of Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila from 2004-2009 were used in this study. Answers of students on the questionnaire were the main data for this study. Descriptive method of research was utilized to assess the profile of the respondents in this study. Several statistical treatments were used using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS), these are the frequency, sum, mean, standard deviation and variance, One - way Analysis of Variance. After analysing and interpreting the data, the researchers came up with the following findings: 1. From 2004-2009, the number of students enrolled was 171, out of those students, 45 was dismissed, failed or dropped out, buy only 32 respondents were able to respond to the survey. 2. Majority of the dismissed students were female having a total of 18 out of 32. Most of the respondents were 18 years old, while 12 were 17 years old and the rest were 16 years of age. 3. Students agreed that academic problem ranks first among the student factors that contribute to attrition rate with a mean of 3.31. Next is, disliking the program B.S. Math having a mean of 3.09. Respondents cited that their perceptions of math did not match their experience as a student with a mean of 2.91. Membership in barkadas and personal and financial reasons were also mentioned as a factor nut not having much mean which is 1.72 and 1.5 respectively. Likewise, involvement in many extracurricular and health problem indicates that students were not really affected by them with a mean of 1.41 and 1.31 correspondingly. Students strongly agreed that giving too long examinations was a big reason why they failed the course with a mean of 3.66. It was supported by factors such as covering too broad lessons, lecturing too fast, lack of remedial teaching and big classes having the means of 3.47, 3.41, 2.97 and 5.23 respectively. However, other factors such as poor student-teacher relationship and not correcting and returning test papers were last among the reasons why they were dismissed in the program with a mean of 2.41 and 2.25 corresponding and having a general mean of 2.96. Respondents showed that somehow they have a perception of not staying in the program and they were less academically prepared in high school having the same mean - 2.75. Although these students were dismissed in the program, they mentioned that they were not misled in choosing the course. Upon leaving B.S. Math, most of them didn't talk to anybody which has a mean of 2.06. Lastly, they also cited that they were not emotionally prepared with a mean of 1.75. In terms of practices of the faculty students agreed that they were provided enough academic support and assisted on career counselling with a means of 3.09 and 2.56 respectively. Respondents also cited that they were influenced to study the program having a mean of 2.53. However students cited that they were unaware of the work load involved in studying B.S. Math as well as they felt that lack of assistance was given during their schooling, having a means of 2.44 and 2.41 respectively and having a general means of 2.62. Based on the results of the findings of this study the researchers came up with the following recommendations. Two sets of recommendation were formulated. One set was based on the data, information, findings and conclusions of this investigation. They could be of interest to decision makers in the Philippine Educational System. The other set of recommendations based on some other aspects that were not considered in this study for interested researchers. There are many implications for the future that include future research, action to be taken by staff, faculty and administration. And there are surely new educational practices that will take root as a result of this study. These recommendations attempt to identify strategies that can be chartered and executed and bring about change program (B.S. Mathematics), within the college, and throughout the university. In addition, studiesv that will be conducted from school year 2009 onwards can use this research as a guide.

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