Guidelines for regional science high schools to be implemented

In line with the thrust of the Department of Education to raise the standard of operation of schools, DepED has ordered the implementation of guidelines in the admission, retention, grading system, and selection of honor students in the Regional Science High Schools.

Bacani, in an order said that those who will be admitted to Regional Science High Schools are those who belong to the upper 10 percent of the grade VI graduating class and who have been recommended by their respective principals are qualified to take the entrance examination.

Selection will be done in three stages and is conducted by the school. The first stage is the administration of standardized mental ability and aptitude test. The student applicant must belong to the 40 percent of the first stage of examination in order to advance to the second stage.

The second stage is the proficiency test in Science, English, and Mathematics. The stage qualifier should obtain at least 75 percent proficiency level in order to advance to the last stage of the selection process.

The last stage is the interview of the student and parents. It would be conducted by the RSHS screening committee. The interview shall be rated in accordance with a prepared rubric and shall be an integral part of the score obtained by the student.

For a student to retain or remain in the program, he or she should obtain a final grade of at least 85 percent in English, Science, and Mathematics with no grade lower than 80 percent in any of these subjects, in any grading period, and a final grade not lower than 83 percent in the rest of the subjects.

Failure to meet the latter grade requirement shall put the incoming Second Year and Third Year student under probation for a period of one year.

In Transfer, only students who have maintained the grade requirement set for the RSHS shall be allowed to transfer laterally, that is, from one RSHS to another. Transfer from a general high school to the RSHS shall not be allowed in any curriculum year.

For the selection of honor students, candidates for honors at any year level in the Regional Science High School must have a final grade not lower than 85 percent in English, Science, and Mathematics and a final grade not lower than 83 percent in any other subject in any year level. In the 4th year, candidates for honors must have a final grade not lower than 90 percent in Research, in addition to the basic grade requirement.

The top 15 students shall be using the 7-3 point scheme (7 points for academic performance and 3 points for leadership in co-curricular activities)

The students' grades in the previous curriculum level shall not be considered in the ranking of honors for graduating students. In case of a tie, candidates may both be declared for the honor ranking, for example, both as valedictorians, salutatorians, first honorable mention, etc.

Candidates for honors at any level must have done the entire work of the year level in the school where they are candidates for honors. Thus, students who transfer after the first grading of the school year shall not be eligible for honors for that curriculum year. - Jasmin R. Uy and Norvie Misa