Abstract

BOF, Alvana Maria. Mudando a gestão da escola para melhorar a qualidade: o caso de Rondonópolis. Ensaio: aval. pol. públ. educ. [online]. 1999, vol.07, n.25, pp.415-442. ISSN 0104-4036.

This qualitative study examined the implementation of the Programa de Gestão da Qualidade (Quality Management Program - QMP) in the municipality of Rondonópolis, Mato Grosso, Brazil. The QMP was a pilot program to improve the quality and efficiency of primary education, specifically to reduce grade repetition and dropout rates in 11 municipal schools. It focused on the development of a school-level planning and management model based on Total Quality Management (TQM) principles. Five case studies were conducted in five schools. Interviews were also conducted with principals, pedagogic coordinators, teachers and Secretariat of Education (SE) staff to determine how the QMP was formulated, how implementation began, and identify participants' perceptions about difficulties and incentives to QMP implementation, as well as to gain perceptions on early changes the program had brought about in the individual schools and in the school system itself. The analysis shows that, even though participants were very resistant in the beginning and other difficulties existed, the Program was implemented. Perceived incentives were the commitment of leadership, including principals, the Secretary of Education and the Mayor, the monitoring work of the Quality Management Office at the Secretary of Education, and the appearance of early changes in the schools. Participants perceived changes in school management, in the work of principals, pedagogic coordinators, and teachers, in the Secretary of Education, in students, and in grade repetition and dropout rates.

Keywords : School Management; Implementation of Educational Programs; School Change; Quality Improvement; Total Quality Management.

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