Cohort Survival of the K to 12 Student Entrants Towards the Development of Strategic Interventions Supportive to Cbea-mmsu Programs

The study was undertaken to determine the cohort survival rate of the pioneer batch of the K to 12 student entrants of the eight (8) degree programs at the College of Business, Economics and Accountancy (CBEA), identify the underlying factors triggering the student dropout and institutionalize an intervention program to support the successful retention and graduation of all students. The Reconstructed Cohort Method was used and places less demand on the availability of detailed data over time. This method makes three assumptions: dropouts never return to school; the promotion, repetition and drop-out rates observed in the last two years remain constant over the entire period in which the cohort is enrolled in school and the same rates apply to all students enrolled in a given year level, regardless of whether they previously repeated a subject. A comprehensive analysis on the data gathered was done to process the underlying factors which will serve as valuable inputs in the design of programs and policies to reduce the dropout rate and support the successful retention and graduation of students. Findings showed that the survival rate of the pioneer batch of the K to 12 student entrants of the different programs range from 55.5% (BS Accountancy) to 97.5% (BSBA HRM) or an average of 81.62%. Overall, the survival rate among the males is 84.14% and the females is 80.86%. Majority (81.03%) of the respondents who were not able to finish their schooling on time indicated academic-related as their reason. Others mentioned about personal/family concern (17.24) and one indicated career concern. Some of the suggested interventions supportive to CBEA programs include: the implementation of an institutionalized Academic Advising Program, conduct of series of Academic Advising workshop, Academic Counseling, referral, group counselling, a more aggressive admission interview, parent/guardian conference, peer tutorial, financial assistance program and documentation of academic advising and counseling sessions. In addition, Guidance counselors must be one of the signatories in the dropping out and shifting forms. A replication research study involving different programs in the university is recommended.