Unpacking the Gaps: Opportunities and Challenges in the Professional Development Programs of Public Senior High School Teachers in Bacoor City

This study assessed the professional development programs of senior high school teachers in Bacoor City with reference to the domains of the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST), namely: Content Knowledge and Pedagogy; Learning Environment and Diversity of Learners; Curriculum and Planning, Assessment and Reporting; Community Linkages and Professional Engagement; and Professional Growth and Professional Development. Specifically, it examined the extent of teachers’ professional practices, determined significant differences when grouped according to age, sex, educational attainment, designation, and years of experience, and proposed an action plan to enhance professional development. A descriptive research design with quantitative analysis was employed, using survey questionnaires administered to public senior high school teachers in Bacoor City. Data were analyzed through frequency distribution, weighted mean, t-test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Findings revealed that the domain of maintaining learning environments responsive to community contexts obtained the highest mean, while compliance with school policies and stakeholder partnerships received the lowest. The adoption of professional practices that uphold the dignity of teaching also showed a high rating. Statistical tests indicated that there were no significant differences in the professional development programs of teachers when grouped according to their demographic and professional profile variables. The results suggest that professional development opportunities are equitably distributed among teachers regardless of age, sex, educational attainment, designation, or years of service. An action plan was proposed to address areas requiring improvement, particularly in enhancing research utilization, community linkages, and compliance with school policies. The study concludes that while the professional development programs of senior high school teachers are effectively implemented, further enrichment is necessary to sustain professional growth and strengthen alignment with PPST standards.