Curriculum Exit Choice of Stem Graduates: A Tracer Study
Authors-Marlon Carlo T. Llamera
Keyword-K to 12 Curriculum exit, STEM graduates, Senior High School, alignment
K to 12 Basic Education in the Philippines provides four curriculum exit choices to its graduates namely, higher education, middle-level skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship. The study explored the curriculum exit choices, and the influence of the strand on those choices, and evaluated the preparedness and performance in chosen curriculum exits of Science, Technology, and Engineering (STEM) Strand graduates. The descriptive research design was used in the study. The findings show that the majority pursued higher education courses aligned with their Senior High School (SHS) strands, highlighting the importance of informed decision-making during SHS education. Many graduates demonstrated moderate preparedness, while a notable fraction exhibited high performance in their chosen curriculum exits. Career flexibility was evident with graduates pursuing careers beyond their specific disciplines. The findings of the study necessitate that students carefully consider their academic pathway and specialization in senior high school, prioritize preparedness and strive for excellence in their chosen curriculum exit options and that future researchers conduct longitudinal studies to track STEM graduates career paths, providing valuable insights for curriculum effectiveness and informing policy decisions in STEM education and career pathways.