Predictive Validity of National Career Assessment Exam (NCAE) : Input for Policy Formulation

The focus of this study is to assess the academic performance of Senior High School students based on their chosen strand. The Department of Education in the Philippines prepares students in making a great choice in their career as early as Grade 9. DepEd administers yearly to the Grade 9 students the NCAE. The examination basically aims to determine the learner’s aptitude and occupational interest on any of the Senior High School (SHS) tracks. The exam also aims to guide the conduct of career guidance at the school level and to ensure the development of skills and competencies required for the world of work and career choices. The result of this study will give way to the formulation of new policies on how admission to Senior High School can be made more effective. Specifically, the study sought answers to the following questions: 1) What is the academic performance of the students in their chosen strand?; 2) What is the result of students' NCAE?; 3) Is there a significant relationship between the academic performance of students’ chosen strand and the result of their NCAE?; 4) What action plan may be proposed to structure the program of the Senior High School in accepting students in each track and strand? This study used a descriptive method of research. The Pearson’s Product Moment Coefficient of Correlation were used to test whether significant relationship exists between the two variables. The respondents of the study are the one hundred eighty four Grade 11 students of the BulSU Lab High for school year 2016-2017. All students of Grade 11 of the SHS Program demonstrated a moderate aptitude in their NCAE. Of the three strands, both the HUMSS and STEM showed a significant result while the ABM showed otherwise. The researcher devised a proposed policy for the admission of Grade 11 students in the SHS Program of BulSU giving consideration to the result of the NCAE Career Inventory