Regional Science High School Union

Regional Science High School Union (RSHS-Union)- is a specialized system of public secondary schools in the Philippines, established during the 1994-1995 school year. It is operated and supervised by the Department of Education, with a curriculum heavily focusing on math and science.

History

Timeline

Campuses

Regional Science High School Union comprises 17 campuses nationwide. RSHS's are formerly annex of public secondary schools, while some are already established as specialized science high school prior to establishment of RSHS in 1994.

Below is the a list of RSHS's and their mother school or former name.

*Regional Science High School for Region 1
(formerly annex of Dona Francisca Lacsamana de Ortega Memorial National High School- Special Science Class)
*Regional Science High School for Region 2
(formerly annex of Tumauini NHS- NSEC RSHS)
*Regional Science High School for Region 3
(formerly annex of Olongapo City NHS-SSC)
*Regional Science High School for Region IV-A
(formerly Cavite National Science High School- est. 1980)
*Bansud National High School- RSHS annex for MIMARO
(for separation from mother school)
*Bicol Regional Science High School
(formerly Ligao NHS- RSHS)
*Regional Science High School for Region VI
(formerly Aklan Science Development NHS- est. 1980/Science Development National High School)
*Regional Science High School for Region VII
(formerly Ramon Teves Pastor Memorial Science High School/ Dumaguete Science High School)
*Eastern Visayas Regional Science High School
formerly Calbiga NHS- RSHS annex/ Eastern Visayas Science High School
*Regional Science High School for Region IX
(formerly Zamboanga City NHS Main- RSHS) annex
*Gusa Regional Science High School
*Gov. Leopoldo Lopez Memorial Science High School
*Regional Science High School for Region 12
(formerly Alabel National Science High School)
*CARAGA Regional Science High School
(formerly San Juan NHS- RSHS annex)
*Cordillera Regional Science High School
(formerly Benguet Public High School)
*Parang NHS- Landasan Campus- RSHS annex for ARMM
(for separation from mother school)
*Regional Science High School for NCR
(formerly Quezon City Science High School -est.1967 )

Logos

Currently, there is no unified logo for Regional Science High Schools. Each RSHS has its own logo.

Admission and Retention

Admission to RSHS

Students who belong to the upper 10% 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.

Retention

A student should obtain a final average grade of at least 85% in English, Mathematics and Science, with no grade lower than 80% in any of these subjects, in any grading period, and a final grade of 83% in the rest of the subjects. If a student fails to meet the latter grade requirement the student will be in probation for a period of one year.

There were plans before of increasing the cut-off grade in Science, Math, and English subjects from 85% to 88% and the rest of the subjects from 83% to 85%, however this wasn't implemented due to some circumstances.

Transfer

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

The RSHS Curriculum

Overview

Regional Science High Schools implements a curriculum which is different from Regular High Schools (which uses RBEC curriculum), Science High Schools other than RSHS (which uses ESEP curriculum) in the Philippines and Philippine Science High School (which implements curriculum prescribed by DOST).

The curriculum consists of four levels, which is two years of general studies, followed by two years of a student-chosen major. Students apply for majors in sophomore year, and take four semesters of major classes throughout junior and senior year.

The school offers a highly accelerated curriculum for math, science and information and communications technology and a custom-made curriculum tailored for the school in the areas of the English & Filipino language, Social Studies, and humanities, with required courses and a wide selection of electives. Students have an opportunity to do independent research, and many compete in the annual Intel Science Fair.

The basic science courses includes earth & environmental sciences, biology, chemistry, and physics. First year students tackles earth & environmental science, and Introduction to Physical Sciences (Physics & Chemistry). Biology, Chemistry and Physics is introduced during second year. Sophomores tackles the areas of botany, inorganic chemistry, and mechanics. Zoology, organic chemistry, and thermodynamics is being studied by juniors. Seniors have human biology, analytical chemistry and electricity, electronics, electromagnetics, and vectors.

In mathematics, students takes up elementary mathematics, elementary and intermediate algebra, plane and solid geometry, and probability and statistics during freshman. Linear algebra, analytic geometry, plane and spherical trigonometry, and statistics in research were taken during sophomore. Differential and integral calculus and Differential equations, and Advanced Statistics are learned by juniors. Seniors tackles advanced topics in mathematics.

Students takes a four year English course. Grammar and composition is tackled by freshmen and sophomores, while journalism, and speech and drama are included in the junior and senior course respectively. Technical writing is also included in the freshmen English course. Philippine literature, Asian Literature, World Literature, and Contemporary literature are taught during freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years, respectively.

Information and communications technology (ICT) is also a part of the curriculum. Freshmans, learns about computer fundamentals, digital design, and programming. Sophomores undergoes a computer programming and applications course. Digital signal processing is learned by juniors. Data communication and networking is a part of the senior year.

Four years of Filipino language and literatures are required. Sining ng Pakikipagtalastasan (communication arts) courses are studied by freshman and sophomores. Juniors tackles, pagbasa at pagsulat sa ibat ibang disiplina (reading and writing in different disciplines) while seniors learns about retorika (rhetoric). Included in their panatikan (literature) course are Ibong Adarna, Florante at Laura, Noli Me Tangere, and El Filibusterismo, which are tackled during freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years, respectively.

Social studies and History classes are required. Philippine History, Asian History, World History, and Life of Jose Rizal are taken up by freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors, respectively. Sociology, geography, economics, and political science are learned during freshman, sophomore, junior and senior, respectively.

Health and Physical Education courses are also required, with many activities to choose from.

Previously Values Education was taught in RSHSs in freshman and sophomore levels, however the subject was removed from the RSHSs curricula in 2003. The subject was replaced by Technical writing & intro to statistics in freshman curriculla and Statistics in Research in sophomore curricula.

Amendments

In reference to Dep. Ed order No. 25 S. 2006, the following are amendments to enclosure no. 1 of Dep. Ed order no. 49 s. 2003 entitled " The 2003 Curriculum of Regional Science High Schools"

a. Mathematics Curricular offerings effective school year 2006-2007
*Mathematics III(elective)- Analytic Geometry
*Mathematics IV(core)- Calculus
*Mathematics IV(elective)-Analytic Geometry

b. Mathematics Curricular offerings effective school year 2007-2008
*Mathematics III(elective)- Analytic Geometry
*Mathematics IV(core)-Calculus
*Mathematics IV(elective)- Linear Algebra

c. Differential Equation and Geology/Meteorology/Astronomy as electives in fourth year shall not be offered as electives for high school students.

Faculty

The RSHS faculty comprises educators who are well qualified in the subject matter they teach. Many hold advanced degrees in their field, and have taught or are capable of teaching at the college level.

Most teachers are approachable and willing to help students in any way possible. Students can speak to their teachers before and after class, or schedule a conference with their teachers during lunch or a free period.

ubsidy

Each of the 17 Regional Science High Schools, are given by the government an allocation for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE)separate from other public high schools in the Philippines. These annual subsidy of RSHSs is divided as follows: 10% for the procurement of supplies and materials for mathematics, science and English, 15% procurement of instructional materials including textbooks for Science, Mathematics, English, and other subject areas, professional books, video materials and software in science, mathematics and English including internet subscription, 20% for procurement of science and mathematics equipment including the maintenance and repair of previously owned equipment and upgrading computers and printers, 12.5% will go for payment of electric and water bills, 25% for expenses for training/professional upgrading of all teachers'principals/OICs directly managing RSHSs, including attendance in seminars that may be sponsored by DepEd or other agencies; expenses for students participation in science and mathematics related activities, 12.5% for student researches and projects, and 5% for extra essential services such as security services.

tipend

Students of RSHSs receive a monthly stipend from the local government of its respective region. This monthly stipend is intended to support the academic expenses of the students such as research projects. Stipend of students vary from every RSHSs.

Alumni

Roughly seventy percent (70%) of alumni are in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics. The rest are in the humanities, journalism, law, business administration, accountancy, public administration, the military and religious ministry.

RSHS Achievement Test

Pursuant to DepEd memorandum 23 series 2007, the RSHS Achievement Test is administered by the Curricullum Development Division of Bureau of Secondary Education and Department of Education. The test administered consists of Calculus, Chemistry, Research, and Analytic Geometry. Being the youngest RSHS and only on its second year of operation, Bansud NHS-RSHS annex MIMARO administered the achievement test to its second year students. The test subjects administered in BNHS-RSHS annex MIMARO were, Geometry, Technical Writing, Botany and Business Mathematics.

RSHS Congress

RSHS Congress is an annual meeting of different RSHSs which started in 2004.

On January 23-28, 2004 the 16 RSHSs conducted the first RSHS Congress at RSHS for NCR (Quezon City Science High School), with the theme: " RSHS: The Epitome of Excellence".

The Congress aimed to 1. provide effective medium for the promotion of science culture among RSHS students, 2. formulate strategies to sustain quality delivery of quality science and mathematics education in RSHS, 3. encourage research and development, 4. provide a venue for intellectual and social interaction among participants and local scientists/experts, 5. create pockets of excellence among RSHSs.

The Second RSHS Congress was hosted and held at CARAGA Regional Science High School, last January 29- February 4, 2006. The Congress theme was, "Making Giant Strides in the Delivery of Science Education".

The Third RSHS Congress was held at RELC, Catabangan, Zamboanga City and Hosted by RSHS Zamboanga Peninsula. It was conducted from February 5-9, 2007. The theme of the congress was "Promotion of Strong Science Culturue". This congress served as a venue for sharing the best practices among teachers and school heads of RSHS, dissimination of research findings, and enhancement of student's scientific inquiry and mathematical skills as well as higher order thinking skills.

The Fourth RSHS Congress will be held at the Regional Science High School for Region III at SBMA, Olongapo, Zambales on February 3-9, 2008. Besides the usual Science Investigatory Projects, it will also hold the first ever Mathematical Investigation.

External links

* [http://www.alumni.net/Asia/Philippines/Zambales/Olongapo_City/Regional_Science_High_School/ Regional Science High School- 3 Alumni Registry]
* [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rtpm_dshs/ the regional science high school of R7]
* [http://www.crshs.net Cordillera Regional Science High School]
* [http://www.geocities.com/rshs_6 Regional Science High School for Western Visayas]
* [http://www.thefreeman.com/local/story-20050727-32767.html Guidelines for regional science high schools to be implemented]
* [http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2005/09/13/PROV2005091344254.html Visayas reg?l science high schools get P6 M]
* [http://mysearch.ph/philippine-new/news/6320046.htm 16 DepEd administered regional science schools listed]
* [http://news.inq7.net/common/print.php?index=4&story_id=38517&site_id=27 What needs to be done]
* [http://www.sei.dost.gov.ph/pmar1402.html ISEF Delegates Bared at Awarding Rites of Intel Philippine Science Fair]
* [http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2005/jan/23/yehey/weekend/20050123week2.html No ordinary girls]
* [http://www.asianjournal.com/?c=47&a=8675&sid=3ec099b3c2aa20f78e4695ba5a1c58af Dropout's imagination is fired by 'kalan']
* [http://mis.dost.gov.ph/region1/IPSF%20compilations/html%20files/abstracts.html 2003-2004 INTEL PHILIPPINE SCIENCE FAIR (IPSF) Region I Winners]
* [http://www.seameo-innotech.org/resources/rein/rpol/590.asp Update of the DECS Medium Term Philippine Development Plan 1993-1998]
* [http://grs.onlinemindanao.com Gusa Regional Science High School]