OS CICLOS DE APRENDIZAGEM NA REDE MUNICIPAL DE ENSINO DE PONTA GROSSA – PR: UMA ANÁLISE DA SUA TRAJETÓRIA (2001-2012)

Abstract

This study presents an analysis of the trajectory of the implementation process of the Cycles of Learning (a non-retention policy in Elementary School) in the Municipal Education System in Ponta Grossa – PR. This qualitative research involved: a) analysis of official documents related to the proposal implementation process; b) analysis of statistical data regarding approval, failure and evasion, in the period from 1988 to 2012; and c) analysis of interviews carried out with six principals, four educators and 21 teachers working in six municipal schools in Ponta Grossa. The theoretical framework is based on authors that discuss and substantiate the school role and the social quality of education (CAMINI, 2001; BELLONI, 2003; CANÁRIO, 2005; YOUNG, 2007), as well as authors who discuss the cycles policy (PERRENOUD, 2004; BARRETTO and MITRULIS, 1999; FERNANDES, 1999 amongst others). It was concluded that: a) the Cycles of Learning under investigation were kept along the time and throughout different governments. Despite that, this policy was given different importance by the educational management. While in the 2001/2004 period, the cycle proposal was considered one of the main actions to improve the quality of education in municipal schools, the following periods (2005/2008 and 2009/2012) kept the cycles, but with less emphasis and commitment; b) over a little more than a decade, the cycle proposal was incorporated by education professionals who work in schools, but it has not still been consolidated, since there are difficulties and limitations to the comprehension of learning as a continuous process, acceptance of non-failure within the cycle, and employment of formative evaluation and differentiated teaching. The study also suggests that the cycle proposals should guarantee effective learning to all students. Thus, it is necessary to lead education professionals to deepen issues such as the school role in the modern society; the definition of a curriculum built with collective participation; the importance of formative evaluation and differentiated teaching. In its specific context, the study evidenced the need to revise and resume the Learning Cycles proposal, with the participation of teachers, management staff, students’ parents, Education Municipal Council, school councils. In the context under study, as well as in other contexts, the participation and social control are essential aspects, once the offer of weak education due to lack of a wide and consistent educational project leads to very serious consequences to students throughout their schooling process and to the sequence of their education.