Strengthening Adult Education: An Assessment of Technical and Vocational Texts

Abstract

Education is a basic right, but not everyone is privileged to get access to quality education. In the Philippines, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority which offers non-degree education to underprivileged Filipino adults is challenged by several problems in instruction including assessment. To address this concern, this study focused on assessment which is essential in enhancing the quality of education across all levels. This study specifically assessed and analyzed the level and quality of texts in a vocational school in the Philippines to help improve the transfer of learning toward a knowledgeable and skilled workforce. Using a descriptive-quantitative research design, this study measured the level and quality of vocational texts to address assessment concerns. This study measured the readability of technical and vocational texts from four vocational courses through measures of text difficulty and readers’ perspectives. The results of this study revealed a discrepancy between the level of texts and readers’ perceptions. Readerability assessment of technical and vocational texts is therefore recommended. This study also presents some pedagogical implications to the importance of assessment in informing instruction.