ABSTRACT

SISTER FLORENCIA G. CABAÑOG, O.P. “A FIVE – YEAR ECUCTAIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR ST.MICHAEL, IN OAS, ALBAY (2001-2006),” (Unpublished Dissertation, Doctor of Philosophy in Development Education march 30, 2001.)

In an attempt to build better services, if not really quality, the Congregational Schools, adopted the O.P. Siena, Schools SYSTEM Development program. This has been launched and made functional in their schools since 1980.

SUMMARY
The study evaluated the implementation of the Order of Preachers Siena Schools System Development (OPS-SSD) to formulate A Five-Year Development Plan for St. Michael Academy in Oas, Albay. Specifically, the research answered the following problems:
1. What is the present status of St. Michael Academy along the eight areas of operation such as: a) Faculty, b) Instruction, c) Laboratories, d) Library e) Physical Plant, f) Student Services, g) Administration and h) School and Community?
2. How does the present status of the eight areas of the school compare with the OPS-SSD Self-Survey conducted by the school and verified by the PAASCU accreditors
3. What are the identified strengths and weakness of the eight operational areas based from the status of school operations?
4. What five0year development plan can be proposed for St. Michael Academy based from the findings of the study?
The scope of the study is confined to St. Michael in Oas, Albay offering two Secondary Curricula, the general Curriculum and the Science oriented Curriculum from first year to fourth year.

The study evaluated the present status of the school along strengths and weakness of the eight areas as analyzed and evaluated in a Self-Survey and by the PAASCU Team such as: Faculty, Instruction, Library, Laboratory, Physical Plant, Student Services, Administration and School and Community.
The study determine d the progress in the implementation of the school system development program to formulate a five-year development plan for St. Michael Academy which could cater to the needs of the clientele.

The study utilized the descriptive and analytic method of research. The presentation used the qualitative style, supported by textual and ocular presentation. The status of the school with its strengths and weakness and the development plan follow the descriptive style.

The primary sources of data were deduced from the status, faculty members, administrators, parents, alumni and non-teaching personnel of the school under study. The secondary sources were gathered from the records on file, relevant information through interviews and observation.
The population of the study comprised 321 students and 14 teachers 6 administrators 3 non-teaching personnel and 321 parents and alumni. The research instrument used was the PAASCU Survey Form A. The PAASCU tools used in this study were already valid and tested over the years. Hence, there was not no test validation, The OPS-SSD also made use of the tools during their CEV.

The researcher used simple statistical tools like the frequency counts, percentage and ranking, which were, categorized as descriptive statistics.

Findings

The study arrived at the following findings:
1. The status of St. Michael Academy Along the Eight Operational Areas
a. On the area of Faculty, there was the Personnel Formation program but the faculty academic preparation and exposure in the field and length of service could not be compiled based on the standard of PAASCU. Salary of teachers was lower than that of the other School in Metro Legaspi and National Capital Region (NCR) Full time teachers were fairly loaded including middle level Administrators. Enrichment classes in Mathematics, Science and English were offered from the First Year to Forth Year under the Science Oriented Curriculum. Remedial Classes in Mathematics, Science and English were also offered from First Year to Fourth Year twice a week under the General Curriculum.

b. In terms of Instruction, the teachers employed cooperative learning, however, a number of them still adhered to the traditional strategies of teaching. The use of table of specification was commended. The personnel Formation program under the study area should emphasize basic pedagogical skills in lesson planning and writing of behavioral objectives, art of questioning, and use of audio-visual aids and communications skills in English.

c. With regards to the library, the librarian was a graduate in library Science and she was very much dedicated to her duties, Acquisition of new books in Computer and Mathematics and purchase of two sets of encyclopedia and one set of Webster Dictionary was made. The possibility of involving the alumni and parent’s in augmenting the present collection of both print and non-print was noted.

d. On Science laboratories, the school has wet and dry laboratories, the school has wet and dry laboratories. The laboratories were equipped with additional shelves for exhibits. The stockroom was improved with provision of cabinets for storage. However the demonstration table needed improvement.

e. In terms of Physical plant and facilities, a great leap of improvement and major repairs from floor to ceiling resulted to good building condition, through the benevolent donation from the parents, teachers association, alumni and funding agencies.

f. On student Services, the Guidance Center had met the needs for the following: Admission, organization and Administration, Guidance such as, orientation, Individual Inventory, testing, Counseling, Remedial and Enrichment, Vocation and Career Guidance, but it failed to meet the needs on services to the Administrations, Teachers, parents and Follow-up Services. The canteen also offered good services and balanced diet and nutritious food.

g. On Administration, the school supported the faculty development program of the school. This was through networking with other sectors of the resources like twinning program of the O>P. Siena schools and support from the Council on Education through the Superintendent of the O.P Siena school and donation from the funding agencies

2. On Compassion of the Present Status of the Eight Areas of the School with PAASCU and OPS-SSD Standard.

The Self-Survey Team evaluative the criteria on Faculty and Instruction with a satisfactory rating, However the PAASCU Team made several recommendations for its improvements. There was no congruence in the ratings of the Self-Survey team with PAASCU accreditors. The areas on: library, Laboratories, Physical Plant, Student Services, Administration, School and Community were congruent with the recommendations of PAASCU. The Self-Survey Team rated the areas on Administration and Physical Plant very high.
The areas of strengths of the school under study include: Administration, Physical Plant, School and Community Relations, Library, Laboratories and Student Services. Areas in need of improvement are Faculty and Instruction.

3. On Strengths / Highlights and Weaknesses of the Operation and Existence of St. Michael Academy.
The areas of strengths of the school under study include: Administration, Physical Plant, Scholl and Community Relations, Library, Laboratories and Student Services. Areas in need of improvements are Faculty and Instruction.

4. On the Proposed Five-Year Educational Development Plan from St. Michael Academy.
The Five Year Plan was intended to improve the delivery of the educational services. This could serve as a guide in the preparation of the future development plans. The development objectives of the nine areas of concern included: Faculty Instruction, Library, Laboratories, Physical Plant, Student Services, Administration, School and Community and Cooperative Venture through training program.

Conclusions
The study has drawn the following conclusions based on the findings:
1. St. Michael has satisfactory operated along its eight areas and has maintained quality stand and weakness and challenges
2. St. Michael Academy has met the standard requirements of the Department of Education Culture and Sports (DECS) and the Congressional Evaluation (CEV), however t has failed to reach the satisfactory level of Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) standards on Faculty and Instruction areas.
3. There are highlights and weakness discovered on the eight areas of the operation of St. Michael Academy.
4. The Five Year Development plan, based on the identified needs and resources of the school, shows the progress and projects, which the school should look into.

Recommendations
The study draws it recommendations as:
1. The Administrator should review the salary and fringe benefits of the teachers and support personnel to equate salaries with the changes in the cost of living index.
2. School Administrator should improve the Faculty and Instruction areas through the faculty and instruction development program.
3. Administration should continue to acquire library holdings and maintenance of Audio-Visual materials and equipment, acquire and improve laboratory materials and equipment.
4. School administrators should continue to involve maximum participation of all sectors of the community in the school outreach program.
5. School Administrators should acquire funds for maintenance and repairs for future development and improvement of facilities of the clinic.
6. The Congressional Schools System Development program should be pursued by the rest of the schools of the Congregation in their efforts to improve their educational delivery system and preparation for PAASCU accreditation.
7. Faculty, students, parents and alumni should cooperate with the school administrators in the implementation of the proposed actions.
8. School administrators, faculty and students religiously implement the proposed development plan to attain its goals and objectives.

Areas for Further Research
The results of the research are not final. This is due to the influence of internal and external factors within the institution. The following subjects are recommended for further research.
1. That he three OP Siena schools in Bicol should replicate the present study and make a follow-ups of its results.
2. That short or long-range planning should be a continuing institutional effort for maximum delivery of services and benefits to its clientele.
3. The rest of the Dominican schools which do not have yet educational development plans should initiate own self-surveys as a spring board for formulating a five-year educational development plan.
4. That a study of other Secondary Schools should be replicated to validate the findings of the study.
5. A cost-benefit research of the operation of Private Catholic Schools in the Philippines should be made.
6. That a study of the parents, teachers and administrators relationship towards quality secondary catholic education should be conducted.