ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF GRADE VI PUPILS AND MANAGEMENT STYLES OF SCHOOL HEADS IN SELECTED SCHOOL DISTRICTS OF EASTERN SAMAR DIVISION: INPUT TO A MANAGEMENT PLAN

Abstract

ROGELIO C. DARGANTES, Holy Infant College, Tacloban City. ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF GRADE VI PUPILS AND MANAGEMENT STYLES OF SCHOOL HEADS IN SELECTED SCHOOL DISTRICTS OF EASTERN SAMAR DIVISION: INPUT TO A MANAGEMENT PLAN. Adviser: DR. LILIA P. ADRALES This study determined the relationship between the elementary school head’s management styles and the pupils’ academic performance in selected school districts of Eastern Samar Division during the school year 2012-2013 as basis for a management plan. The study tested the hypothesis that that: “There is no significant relationship between the school heads’ management styles of the pupils’ academic performance.” The research design used was the descriptive-correlational method using a combination of researcher-made questionnaire and a standardized leadership survey developed by Donald Clark (Pavlovic, Oljaca, and Kostovic, 2011). The study was conducted in selected school districts of Eastern Samar Division. Specifically, it was conducted in the following school districts: Lawaan, Balangiga, Giporlos, and Quinapondan. The respondents of the study included the 30 school heads of the four (4) school districts. The data were statistically treated using percentage, weighted mean, and Pearson r. The hypothesis was tested at the .05 level of significance. The study found that the school heads are generally middle aged; majority were females; teaching profession is dominated by females; majority of the school heads lack advanced studies; the school heads are adequately experienced; and they had limited related trainings. As to the management styles, the management style mostly practiced by the school heads was democratic or participative management style; delegative or laissez faire management style was also “often” practiced; autocratic management style was only occasionally practiced. The pupils’ academic performance in terms of grades was only “satisfactory”. In terms of National Achievement Test, the pupils’ performance was only “moving towards mastery which falls short of the mastery level expected. From these, it can be deduced that the academic performance of the pupils need improvement. Management styles were not significantly associated with the pupils’ academic performance in terms of grades. Autocratic and delegative/laissez faire management styles were not significantly associated with academic performance in terms of NAT result. Participative or democratic management style, on the other hand, was significantly correlated with the pupils’ NAT result. The correlation was positive indicating that there was a direct relationship. Thus, it can be deduced that pupils’ NAT performance is positively influenced by democratic leadership style. It was then recommended that the school heads must enroll in advanced/graduate programs to upgrade their educational qualifications and for them to learn the recent trends in school management; attend more related trainings in the national level and in the international levels; learn the latest trends in school management; and eventually be more effective school managers. It was also recommended that school heads should be more the participative or democratic in their management style. Finally, the management plan which is the output of the study is recommended for implementation.