From Assessment to Action: Analyzing Alternative Learning System Learners' Performance in Magsaysay, Palawan, towards Sustainable Extension Program

This study examined the learners' performance in the Alternative Learning System (ALS) Program in Magsaysay, Palawan, to develop a long-term extension activity program for PalawanSU-PCAT Teacher Education. The study looked at the demographics of ALS students, their primary reasons for enrolling, and their Functional Literacy Test (FLT) performance levels in six key competencies: communication skills (English and Filipino), scientific literacy, critical thinking, mathematical problem-solving, life and career skills, and digital citizenship. The study used a mixed-method research design, combining quantitative data from surveys and FLT results with qualitative insights from the respondents' interviews, to identify gaps and provide treatments. The findings revealed that the ALS program mostly enrolled male adolescents and young adults from low-income families, emphasizing its role in closing educational gaps. Financial instability emerged as a dominant factor as the primary reason why learners chose the program for their Basic Education. Learners demonstrated moderate achievement, with considerable obstacles in English literacy, mathematical reasoning, scientific analysis, and digital citizenship. Based on these findings, the study created Project COUNT (Connecting, Optimizing, and Unfolding New Knowledge through Tutorial), a structured extension program that combines one-on-one tutorials, small-group sessions, and community-based learning assistance to improve ALS delivery. The learners' performance in the Alternative Learning System indicates modest progress but also emphasizes the need for focused interventions to overcome competency gaps in English reading, mathematical and problem-solving skills, scientific reasoning, and digital citizenship.