Por que escolas com características semelhantes apresentam resultados tão diferentes?

Abstract

This study uses the School Effectiveness Research framework to explain why three public state schools of Minas Gerais had a good performance at the entrance examination of University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). Pupil performance differences are explained by personal and familial factors and also by social and school variables. It is very well known that internal school factors interfere on pupils performance, fact that reinforces the belief that school makes a difference, specially to less fortunate social groups. The three schools examined in this study were chosen after a statistical analysis of entrance examination data based on value added methodology. The fact that, among the schools with high added value appeared three public state schools, all located from small municipalities, stimulated curiosity and motivated the interest to study them. Since all other state schools are in principle similar to this ones e.g. they are under the same regulations, attend similar students, the teacher have the same salaries the question that guided this study is : Why similar schools presented so different results? The research included school visits lasting for two days. On these occasions, the directors, educators specialists, Math and Portuguese teachers and pupils from high school third degree were interviewed, the internal dynamics observed and the school reputation in their communities assessed. After the data collection and analyses it became clear that these schools dont do extraordinary things, nothing impossible to the others public state schools. In fact these schools are much better for some pupils, those with better life conditions, probably more prepared to UFMG entrance examination, not to all students. However, is important to recognize these schools merits, since other public state high schools dont show same results.