Concepções e práticas de professores em avaliação da aprendizagem na rede pública municipal de ensino de Teresina

Abstract

The general objective of this study was to investigate the conceptions of some teachers, and their practices in evaluating learning in the beginning grades of an Elementary School in the Municipal Education System of Teresina, Piaui, Brazil. The information (data) sources for the study included some official documents (Political-Pedagogical Project, Curriculum Proposal, Directives of the Teresina Municipality, and the School Rule & Regulations), as well as the conceptions and practices of the teacher participants themselves. The investigation, a descriptive case study of a qualitative nature, depended upon nine 4th grade teachers. Data were collected through questionnaires, followed by semi-structured interviews, documentary analyses, and those observations registered in the field journal. The results of the study indicate that the teachers basically employed a reductionist approach when they evaluated student learning. Through spontaneous representations, the teacher participants in the study demonstrated some pedagogical activism. In their fixed and punctuated evaluative practices, though a few developed some student follow-up, grades remained the first priority as a general rule of thumb. This situation influenced the curriculum in that though these professionals expressed support for the constructivist content of the official documents, what they practiced in the classroom had little or nothing to do with the development of creative practices as required by these documents. Rather, the teachers concentrated on teaching Portuguese and Mathematics using reinforcement techniques (Skinner), a pedagogical strategy very far removed from dialogue, diagnosis, registration of general student development, and interventions intended to constitute formative evaluations. Though familiar with the elements for appropriate student evaluation, the teachers did not feel prepared to use this knowledge in their pedagogical activities. Another result of the study was that the teachers gave great importance to the official documents. However, only some knew the contents of these documents. Many teachers merely claimed to know that they existed. Despite the fact that many of the teachers knew of the pedagogical contents, objectives, competencies, and projects discussed in these documents, it cannot be said that their evaluative practices were based on these elements. While some teachers’ evaluative practices were permeated by a desire to get it correct, for others, evaluation was merely a routine that had to be followed. For all of the teachers, nonetheless, evaluation was developed with many difficulties and little knowledge of the real meaning of evaluation in the learning process. Based upon this study, it can be recommended that relevant changes be introduced not only in teacher education, but also in new and more appropriate teaching practices. Finally, in discussing schooling, teachers are important agents (subjects) and not mere executors of actions planned by others