Política de cotas na Educação Profissional e Tecnológica : um olhar sobre os egressos

Abstract

The Quota Policy brought about significant changes regarding access to technical and higher public education. In this context, the present research was carried out within the scope of the Professional Master's Program in Professional and Technological Education (PROFEPT) from the Farroupilha Federal Institute (IFFar), Jaguari Campus. It aimed to understand the academic pathway and the expectations of graduates admitted to a Professional and Technological Education Institution through the Quota System. Following this line, the specific objectives were to understand what the entry through the Quota System meant, to identify important aspects of the academic pathway, to detect issues that contributed to staying in school, to learn students' expectations after completing the course, and to develop an Educational Product related to the research. The investigation was conducted by a quantitative-qualitative approach through the analysis of documents, application of questionnaires, and interviews. The focus was on Technical Courses Integrated into High School, Licentiate degrees, and Bachelor's degrees offered on two IFFar campuses. Initially, the Documentary Analysis of the admission notices referring to the classes participating in the research was carried out. Afterward, the Descriptive Analysis of the questionnaire data was carried out, followed by the interpretation and discussion of the interview data through the Discursive Textual Analysis. The results showed an index higher than the minimum of 50% (fifty percent) of vacancies allocated to quotas in the analyzed notices. Also, most students showed interest in continuing education to gain a higher qualification. There was an opportunity to access a Federal Educational Institution through quotas that many of them would not be able to do so otherwise. There was also a feeling of satisfaction and pride in having taken the course at a Federal Educational Institution. Some difficulties faced by the research participants during the academic program were also reported. Besides, they mentioned the relevant role of the financial aid they received and the essential support from teachers to conclude the course successfully. In addition, there was a growing need for interaction with newly arrived students to welcome and guide them, as well as the support of the family and the institution that was decisive in the persistence to complete the program with success. The need to implement actions aimed at supporting quota holders during their program at the institution and the creation of public policies aimed at working students was considered quite relevant to enable their endurance. It was noticed that, for most of them, the qualification achieved represents the perspective of personal growth beyond professional training, which contributes to access to better opportunities. From the results obtained, an Educational Product was developed to promote the Quota Policy of this Federal Educational Institution and expand the dialogue with the community. As there is a lack of research related to this theme in these institutions, it is believed that knowing the academic pathway and the expectations of graduates was of great importance to contribute to the success of the institution's Quota Policy.