Early Implementation Findings From Brazil's National Curriculum: Policy Coherence and Systems Alignment

• In Event: Can National and State Policies Ameliorate Systemic Inequities?

Abstract

Brazil is currently implementing its first K-12 national curriculum standards—the Base Nacional Comum Curricular (BNCC). Supporters assert that national standards will remedy regional inequalities and ensure equal learning opportunities for students. But scholars have long argued that standards-based reforms depend on the degree of alignment between various elements of the education system. We leverage data from a five-year implementation study of the BNCC to explore the extent to which the new standards are being embedded within curricula and classroom materials, pre-service and in-service teacher training, and standardized assessments. Our early findings suggest strong policy alignment between the BNCC and the new state curricula. However, we find much weaker evidence of alignment in teacher professional development and local classroom materials.

Authors

• Douglas Ready, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Jennifer Sallman, Curriculum Associates

• Filomena Siqueira, Teachers College, Columbia University