ABSTRACT
This study explores the impact of the Professional Integration Course (PIC) on the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) performance among graduates of PHINMA University of Iloilo College of Education for the years 2016, 2017, and 2018. Using a descriptive-correlational research design, the relationship between PIC scores and LET outcomes were analyzed for 226 graduates from Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED) and Bachelor in Secondary Education (BSED) programs. Results showed that BEED and BSED students had an overall PIC score that falls in the "Pass" category, with BEED having notable strengths in Professional Education but weaknesses in General Education. In contrast, BSED students showed a good performance in General Education and fair performance in Specialization but struggled with Professional Education. In terms of LET results, BEED and BSED had an overall score within the “Pass” Category. BEED and BSED performed similarly in General Education, which falls in the “Fair” Category, and in Professional Education, which falls in the “Pass” Category. BSED also had a passing mean in the Specialization area. There is no significant difference between BEED and BSED program performances in both PIC and LET. However, the PIC and LET result of BEED showed significant differences when compared into different areas. In the PIC scores of BSED, there are significant differences among all its areas. However, a significant difference in BSED LET scores is only evident between General Education and Specialization. Moreover, the intercept and coefficient derived from the General Linear Model are both significant, indicating that better PIC scores may slightly improve LET results. However, due to a low R² value, there may be other factors that could also significantly influence exam outcomes.
INTRODUCTION
Republic Act 7836 or the Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994 requires all aspiring teachers to pass the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) to be eligible for teaching positions in elementary and secondary schools. The Licensure Examination for Teachers comprises two tests for elementary and three tests for high school teachers: General Education (GE), Professional Education (PE) for Elementary School Teachers and Field of Specialization (for secondary school teachers).
The level of performance of University of Iloilo in the Licensure Examination for Teachers, though almost always higher than the national LET passing percentage, is still considered to be generally low. In their analysis of the LET performances of University of lloilo from March 2015 to September of 2023, the College of Education Faculty found out that the College had average passing rates (first takers only) of 85.02% and 77.24 % for Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEEd) and Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd), respectively. These figures show that on the average, about 20% of LET takers from the College failed in the previous licensure examinations. The researcher also found out that during those years, there were an average of 61 retakers, representing almost 50% of the total number of examinees. The sadder fact is that there had been a very low passing rate from this group, 13.43% and 14.24%, respectively, for BEEd and BSEd groups.
To address this pressing issue, the University of Iloilo College of Education instituted the Professional Integration Course (PIC) beginning AY 2012-2013 to address the need to improve the performance of the College in the LET. This is also a response to a recommendation from Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) Accreditors during their 2008 visit to the university. Thus, it is essential to determine if the PIC result is a significant predictor of the student’s Licensure Examination for Teachers rating. By examining this, the university can refine its curriculum to better prepare students for these critical exams and optimize educational outcomes. The gap lies in the potential misalignment between current subject content and exam requirements.
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