Inequalities in educational opportunities at the beginning of the educational trajectory in Brazil

Abstract

This paper discusses the importance of studies with longitudinal design at the beginning of compulsory schooling to understand patterns of inequality in educational opportunities and the strengths and weaknesses of the research design of school effectiveness studies, focusing on the beginning of the educational trajectory in Brazil. It describes a longitudinal study carried out in two Brazilian cities in samples that included 123 schools (6373 children) and some evidence that clarifies certain trends and nuances of educational inequalities at the beginning of compulsory schooling in Brazil. We also discuss how study design permits a more accurate identification of educational programs and school characteristics that are able to bridge the learning gap between children of different socioeconomic backgrounds.