Utilization of Saeb Results in the School Context: A Case Study of Two Public Early Years Elementary Schools in the Federal District
education; assessment; external assessment; use of results; Saeb.
The overall objective of this study is to analyze the use of Saeb results in two elementary schools in the Federal District public school system. In order to verify the reality of Saeb data use within schools, the following specific objectives were outlined: I) Identify what recent studies have pointed out about the use of Saeb results in the educational setting; II) Identify initiatives carried out by schools to use Saeb results; III) Investigate the perceptions of management and teachers regarding external assessments and how these perceptions are reflected in school teaching practices; IV) Propose a teaching workshop with the school community to discuss, reflect on, and define actions related to external assessments in the Federal District. To this end, a qualitative methodology was adopted, using a case study approach, with data collection through document analysis and semi-structured interviews with the management team and teachers from two public schools in the Federal District. Content analysis was used to analyze the data, with the following thematic categories defined: a) objectives of external assessment; b) perceptions of external assessment; c) limitations on the use of Saeb results; d) use of external assessment results in the school context; and e) feelings related to the assessment process. The results obtained in this study indicated that using the results of external assessments to analyze, reflect, and intervene internally in schools favors decision-making to achieve student learning effectively. However, mechanized practices focused on testing conceal the real learning outcomes, lead to restricted pedagogical practices, and contribute to a fragmented curriculum. In addition, the internal use of these assessments must respect the limitations arising from their nature and observe the principles governing education in the Federal District, serving as allies to already consolidated assessment processes such as formative assessment and institutional assessment. Thus, it was possible to map the use of results for pedagogical purposes in the school context, determining a cyclical scheme that feeds back on itself based on reflection, analysis, planning, and intervention.