The Development of Education in Brazil

The Development of Education in Brazil

Chapter written by Ann K. Nauman and Nelio Bizzo

1990s Public School Curriculum:Elementary-Intermediate: Portugese, history, geography, math, science, art, physical educationSecondary- Same core as elementary, but also included work training and foreign language (Spanish or English)

Key Points: 1800s- Nearly all educational legislation and reform had a limited impact- By 1872, only 2% of the population attended school - Provinces required to provide elementary education (1827) and "basic education for all" (1834) but secondary school was still reserved for the elite- Provinces did not follow through

Key Points: 2000s- By 1999 enrollment was quite promising, with 96% of eligible elementary students and 69% of secondary students enrolled- Illiteracy is a huge problem with 14.7 percent of Brazilian adults illiterate as of 2000- Still a struggle for some families to send their children to school--need to work for $- Greater emphasis on post-secondary education with scholarships available to 100,000 students/year as of 2003

Covering the 16th through 21st centuries

Key Points: 1500s-1700s- Brazil settled by Portugese in the 1500s- Education initially viewed as a luxury only for the elite- Catholic Jesuit schools primary venue for education- No colleges in Brazil; had to go to Portugal (few ever did)- Jesuit rule upended by Inquisition; created need for education policy and qualified teachers- All schools became secular

Jesuit CurriculumElementary: Grammar, humanities, rhetoric Secondary: Science, math, philosophyPost JesuitsRhetoric, grammar, philosophy, writing, fabric crafts, physics, geometry, history

Key Points: 1900s- Out of a depression rose reform efforts which led to the devlopment of more secondary schools- Money dedicated to public education in 1934 constitution; still riddled with issues- Teacher training became more rigorous- 1946 constitution made education free at all levels- 1988-1997 school required from ages 7-15, more regulations, development of standards, provisions for tax money to go to public schools

1800s Curriculum:Literacy, math, Portugese, grammar, morality, Brazilian historyInstruction focused on factual knowledge rather than being metacognitive or inquiry driven

Current Curriculum Focus:Education for ALLLiteracy for ALLUsing resources more wiselyTeacher training

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NOTE: Assessment of students is not mentioned in this chapter.