Pedagogical Supervision: Perspectives of preschool teachers in Portugal

Abstract

Faced with a context that is still not very receptive to pedagogical supervision, but experiencing change and growing pressure towards its valorization, the study carried out aimed at characterizing the experiences and perspectives of public-school preschool teachers in Portugal concerning pedagogical supervision. A previously validated questionnaire was applied (GASPAR et al., 2019). Theoretical perspectives on pedagogical supervision, such as those presented by Gaspar (et al., 2019), Alarcão and Canha (2013), or Roldão (2012), which have been fundamental in defining the field, in Portugal, were used. The results point to an experience of pedagogical supervision closely linked to teacher evaluation, and to a lesser extent to initial teacher training, considered to have little impact on the quality of teaching practices. However, perspectives on the role of the supervisor and the concept of supervision demonstrate some openness to the possibility of more horizontal and even informal supervision to produce positive impacts.