DepEd issues revised guidelines on selection of honor students

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education has issued revised guidelines on the selection of honor students in public schools in view of the new grading system they have implemented starting this school year 2012-2013 under their K (Kindergarten) to 12 basic education curriculum (BEC) reform program.

The revised guidelines now also take into consideration the involvement of an outstanding student’s involvement in co-curricular activities.

“We have to put weight on other activities that are not academic in nature as part of school nurturing that focuses on other aspects of a child’s total development,” Education Secretary Armin Luistro said.

Based on DepEd Order No. 74 issued by Luistro, candidates for honors in Grades 1 to 10 to be laid out under the K to 12 BEC shall be drawn from the top ten students at the “advanced level.”

Candidate for honors must not have a final grade lower than 85 which is categorized under “proficient level” and they should have no grade at developing level, 75-79, in any quarter.

The new grading system uses descriptive remarks and is more illustrative of the proficiency level of students.

Under the new grading system, students are assessed based on the level of proficiency starting with Beginning (whose numerical equivalent is 74 percent and below), Developing (75 to 79 percent), Approaching Proficiency (80 to 84 percent), Proficient (85 to 89 percent) and Advanced (90 percent and above).

The guidelines are implemented starting school year 2012-2013 for Grades 1 and 7.

Luistro added that to determine the top ten, students shall be ranked using the 7 to 3 point scheme wherein the 7 points are for academic performance while the three points are for co-curricular activities.

Also, all candidates for honors must be of good moral character and have not been subjected to any disciplinary action within the current school year. Achievements in specific academic disciplines such as Math, Science, English and in curricular areas such as sports, arts and campus journalism, shall also be given recognition.

Under the enhanced K to 12 curriculum, the learning areas in elementary are Mother Tongue, Filipino, English, Mathematics, Araling Panlipunan, Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao and Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health (MAPEH). For high school, the subjects are Filipino, English, Mathematics, Science, Araling Panlipunan, CP-Technology and Livelihood Education, Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao and MAPEH.

The existing DepEd Order No. 92 issued in 2009, DepEd said, shall still apply in selecting honor pupils in Grades 2 to 6 in the elementary level and second year to fourth year in the secondary level.