Untold Success Story of Open High School Program: It’s Socio-Economic Implications

Abstract

The uncover untold success stories of the Open High School Program (OHSP) and examine its socio-economic implications on its graduates. To achieve this, the research adopted a Convergent Parallel Mixed Methods Design, wherein both quantitative and qualitative data were gathered simultaneously, analyzed independently, and integrated during the interpretation phase. This approach provided a comprehensive and multidimensional understanding of how OHSP influences the socio-economic development of its learners. Quantitative data were collected through structured survey questionnaires to assess the level of OHSP implementation and its correlation with various aspects of graduates’ socio-economic progress. Complementarily, qualitative data obtained through in-depth interviews offered valuable insights into the personal experiences and success stories of OHSP graduates. Statistical analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between the effective implementation of OHSP and improvements in graduates’ financial stability, employment, health and well-being, educational advancement, and social support systems. These findings suggest that the program plays a pivotal role in enhancing learners’ overall life outcomes. Qualitative findings further highlighted the program’s transformative impact. Graduates reported experiencing educational empowerment, career advancement, and enhanced social well-being. Many emphasized that OHSP served as a lifeline, offering an alternative route to education for students who faced barriers in traditional schooling. The program’s flexibility allowed them to balance work and study, fostering financial independence and personal growth. Given these findings, it is recommended that future research delve deeper into the psychological and emotional dimensions of the OHSP experience. Exploring how the learning environment affects students’ self-esteem, motivation, mental health, and overall academic engagement will further strengthen the program’s design and support mechanisms.