Teachers' education in Brazil: Characteristics and problems

Abstract

This paper examines teachers' education in Brazil considering four aspects: The legislation on teacher training; the socio-educational characteristics of the students; the main features of the teacher training courses; the curriculum and programs of Pedagogy, Portuguese, Mathematics and Biology teacher training. The last three aspects are treated according to research produced between 2008 and 2009. The interaction of these different aspects points out a worrisome scenario as for the results of such education. The ambiguities of existing norms, the fragmentation between and within teacher training courses and the part of curriculum devoted to building specific skills and knowledge for teaching practice deserve more attention from universities providing teachers' education.