ENGAGEMENT AND COMPETENCE AMONG ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL IN CLUSTER 4 DIVISION OF CALAMBA CITY

This study's primary goal was to gauge the level of student engagement and competence among the Junior High School level learners within the Division of Calamba City. The study was quantitative research that employed a descriptive correlational approach with respondents of 120 learners from the different learning centers of Cluster 4 and 12 ALS teachers. The instruments used for data gathering were the Functional Literacy Test which was used for ALS learners and an adopted instrument for student engagement. The results revealed that many learners were at the beginning level when it comes to the following learning strands: Learning Strand 1 Communication Skills in English, LS1 Kasanayang Pagkatuto sa Filipino, LS2 Scientific and Critical Thinking Skills, LS3 Mathematics and Problem-Solving Skills, and LS6 Digital Citizenship. While in LS4 Life and Career Skills and LS5 Understanding the Self and the Society many learners were at the proficient and approaching proficient level. There was a significant relationship between student engagement and competencies based on the assessment of the learners and teachers of ALS. Based on the results, Proran PARESAN was recommended which will hopefully help learners develop not only the necessary skills and competence for their future endeavors but also to boost their confidence by showing their talents through the different programs included in the project being proposed.