Small group discussion on the academic performance in Economics of Grade 9 students

Small Group Discussion (SGD) is a collaborative teaching strategy that encourages students to actively participate in learning through the exchange of ideas, sharing of perspectives, and cooperative problem-solving. This strategy provides opportunities for learners to deepen their understanding of concepts, develop critical thinking skills, and improve their academic performance. In this regard, this study determined the effectiveness of Small Group Discussion (SGD) in teaching Economics, specifically the unit on Sektor ng Agrikultura, among Grade 9 students of Biabas Trade High School during the School Year 2026–2027. The study focused on three competencies: analyzing the role of agriculture, fisheries, and forestry in the economy; analyzing the causes and effects of problems in these sectors; and appreciating economic policies that support agriculture. It also examined the students’ experiences in participating in SGD and served as a basis for the development of an enhanced Strategic Activity Material (SAM). A quantitative approach using a single-group pretest–posttest quasi-experimental design was employed. Forty (40) Grade 9 students participated in the study. Data were gathered through a validated teacher-made pretest and posttest and a researcher-developed questionnaire on student experiences in SGD. Descriptive statistics such as mean, percentage, standard deviation, and weighted mean were used, while paired-samples t-test was utilized to determine significant differences between pretest and posttest scores. Findings revealed that students demonstrated Satisfactory to Fairly Satisfactory performance before the implementation of SGD. After the intervention, performance improved to Satisfactory and Very Satisfactory levels across the three competencies. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between pretest and posttest scores (p < 0.001), indicating that SGD effectively enhanced students’ learning in Economics. Students also reported positive experiences in terms of engagement and participation, collaborative learning, learning experience, and perceived improvement in performance, with overall ratings interpreted as Often. Based on the findings, an enhanced Strategic Activity Material entitled AGRI-UGNAYAN was proposed to strengthen collaborative learning and address students’ learning experiences in Economics.