Assessment of 21st Century Skills in Social Science Courses among College Students

As the educational system evolves to meet the demands of the modern world, students must develop both academic and professional competencies for future success. This study was conducted to assess the 21st century skills in Social Science courses among college students at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, academic year 2023-2024. The study utilized a descriptive-correlational design and employed stratified random sampling to ensure a representative sample of one hundred forty-six (146) students. Data were collected through a researcher-made questionnaire for attitudes toward Social Science and a survey questionnaire patterned from the Partnership for 21st Century Learning framework. Statistical tools such as frequency, mean, standard deviation, percentage, and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation were employed to analyze the data. Findings revealed that most students were 23 years old and below, female, single, from families earning ₱15,000 and below monthly, with parents whose highest educational attainment is high school graduate, and having 4–6 siblings. They exhibited very high proficiency in life and career skills but low proficiency in information, media, and technology skills. Gender and attitude toward Social Science showed a significant correlation with skill levels, with female students and those with a more positive attitude demonstrating higher proficiency. However, no significant relationship was found between other demographic factors and students' 21st century skills. In conclusion, life and career skills are not only critical for students’ academic success but also essential for their personal growth and professional development. It is recommended that teachers are encouraged to teach students valuable information using diverse instructional materials to enhance students’ knowledge.