In response to the results of the National Achievement Test (NAT) for SY 2022-2023, Schools Division Superintendent Ms. Carleen S. Sedilla, CESO V, Asst. Schools Division Superintendent for Secondary Schools Mr. Fredie V. Avendano, CESE, and Asst. Schools Division Superintendent for Elementary Schools, Engr. Marc Voltaire A. Padilla, CESE, gave insightful and motivational suggestions to school heads to aid in their preparations for the upcoming NAT for Grades 6 (for administration to Grade 7 learners) and 12 during the SDOQC Emergency Management Committee meeting at Ponciano  Bernardo Elementary School on February 22, 2024.

For the short term, top management suggested that the schools ensure the psychological preparedness of both learners and teachers. To do this, the whole school community must be led to view the NAT as a collective responsibility, a burden to be carried by all. Learners' mindset specially, should be addressed so that they become aware of the importance of doing their best in the NAT, not only for extrinsic reward such as grades, but for the intrinsic value of doing one's best for the sake of their alma mater. It was also suggested that physical factors be looked into, such as the conditions in the testing venues and provision of water and snacks to test takers when needed.

Another recommendation was the conduct of a mock test, to ensure that learners are familiar with the use of bubble sheets and proper shading to indicate their answers, among other things. The Curriculum Implementation Division is taking the lead in this effort, releasing Division Memorandum No. 219, s, 2024 to guide the schools through the tasks that need to be done to ensure the conduct of the mock test on March 6, 2024.

For the long term, SDS Cedilla suggested several steps to improve performance, namely: focus on teaching, learning, and assessment; ensure deliverables; intensify monitoring, supervision, mentoring and coaching; assess and capacitate teachers; focus on foundational skills; track student progrress (e.g. through looping); simplify research processes on root cause/gap anaylysis of poor performance; and make all stakeholders responsible and accountable.