The evaluating state and neoliberalism: tensions and trends in the evaluation of higher education

Abstract

This study aims to undertake a critical reflection on the advances of neoliberalism in Brazil with the changes in evaluative policies of higher education. It questions the relationships between educational policies and issues of the capitalist market, and the status of the country as an Evaluating State. A bibliographical survey was conducted based on authors such as Afonso (2013), Dias Sobrinho (2008; 2010; 2011) and Paulani (2006). The results indicate the risks of how the evaluation of higher education has been aligned to neoliberal guidelines, being used to regulate, classify and rank institutions. It is concluded that the evaluation system falls into the logic commanded by neoliberal governments in which the evaluation is used with the function of accountability to the state, increasingly contributing to the commodification of higher education.