#41 | THE NEW HIGH SCHOOL IN PRACTICE
In a recent discussion led by Rita Lisauskas, education experts including Maria Helena Guimarães de Castro and Gabriel Correia addressed significant changes in Brazil's high school education system, particularly in light of the new curricular reforms effective August 2024. The Brazilian high school system is transitioning from a uniform education model to a more flexible one, which still includes a core curriculum for all students but allows for individualized educational pathways through elective courses known as "itinerários formativos." The changes follow previous reforms initiated in 2017 and implemented more broadly in 2022. However, the latest updates have increased the required hours for the core curriculum while reducing the flexibility offered in the elective courses. With many schools still unprepared and lacking clear regulations, the transition remains uncertain, leading to concerns from parents and students alike. Specifically, parents of students currently in the second year of high school are anxious about how these changes will affect their children as they approach graduation. Experts noted that while the framework is set to revert important subjects, such as mathematics and Portuguese, to previous levels of focus, the implementation will vary by state, and many states might delay full implementation until 2026. There are also implications for the ENEM (National High School Exam), which has not indicated substantial changes in its structure, as it continues to follow the same curriculum matrix until 2027. Overall, the reforms are seen as complex and necessitate careful consideration and preparation in order to be effectively integrated into Brazil's educational landscape.