This study determined the predictors to the professional advancement of the public secondary school teachers in Nueva Vizcaya during the School Year 2009-2010. Specifically, it determined: the demographic profile of the teachers in terms of age, gender, civil status, monthly income, number of dependents, college degree, major/field of specialization, length of teaching experience, number of years between BS graduation and first year of enrolment in GS, membership to professional organizations and professional activities; their level of professional growth in terms of highest educational attainment, scholarship granted/presently enjoying, extent of trainings attended, subscription to books and professional magazines, plantilla position, designation, and PAST ratings for the last 3 school years, their motivational level in pursuing professional growth; their levels of problems encountered in their pursuit for professional growth; their level of professional achievement; and, if there are factors or variables singly or in combination that significantly predict the professional advancement of respondents.

The study used the descriptive-inferential research method using a structured questionnaire to gather pertinent data. Frequency counts, percentages, ranks, means, standard deviations, multiple regression and correlation were used to analyze the data.The study was conducted in the northern part of the Division of Nueva Vizcaya. The 121 selected respondents were Public Secondary School Teachers. The study was conducted during the second semester of the school year 2009-2010.

The results of the study revealed the following:

In terms of demographic profile, the respondents of the study were Public Secondary School Teachers with an average age of 37 years, mostly married, female with some male, majority with an income range from P10,000-P19,000, and with an average of two (2) dependents. They have various bachelors degrees but majority finished BSED with major or fields of specialization in Math, English, MAPEH/PEHM, and General Science; with an average of 12.6 years of teaching experience, and typically a member of a professional organization, and involved in various professional activities for the last 5 years.

In terms of professional growth majority of the respondents were with masters units and some have finished their masters degrees, with a few who have availed scholarships for their Graduate studies; have attended trainings and seminars in school to regional levels and some in the national and international levels; with a fewer number who have subscribed to professional books and magazines; mostly holding plantilla item ranging from Teacher 1 to Teacher 3 and Provincial Special Education Fund Teachers (SEF), and some were Master Teachers and Head Teachers; with various designations but mostly class advisers and club advisers; and generally with a very satisfactory PAST ratings from CY 2007-2009.The level of motivation of the Public Secondary School Teachers in Nueva Vizcaya is denoted by the mean value of 4.10, which was qualitatively described as often and qualitatively measured as high.

The gravity of problems encountered by the Public Secondary School Teachers in Nueva Vizcaya for advancing professionally is denoted by the mean value of 3.25 which was qualitatively described as moderate in level. Of the 20 indicators used to rate the levels of problems of the secondary teachers in the study site, the five (5) rated as much of a problem were: limited financial resources, sacrificed quality time for the family, conflicting schedule of graduate classes with DepEd seminars, too much paper work both in school and the graduate school, and too many extra and co-curricular activities.

The professional advancement of the respondents was indicated by the mean value of 5.9 which denoted that they have an average level of professional advancement.

The identified predictors of professional advancement of the public secondary school teachers in the study site were monthly income, attendance to international trainings and seminars, Plantilla position, PAST ratings, Graduate School degree, attendance to national trainings and seminars and BS degree. These variables could explain the respondents' level of professional advancement.

Thesis (Master of Education - Educational Administration)

Includes appendices and bibliographical references.