Abstract:
This dissertation is part of the research line Education, Institutions, and Educational Policies (EIPE) of the Stricto Sensu Graduate Program in Education at Faculdade de Inhumas - FacMais. Its title is "Educational Policies and Higher Education: a critical analysis of historical and legal aspects." Its general objective is to critically understand the legal and socio-historical aspects of educational policies in Brazil in order to deepen knowledge about studies and research in the field of higher education and related topics. The specific objectives are: a) to present the socio-historical trajectory of educational policies for higher education in the last two decades; b) to analyze the expansion of Brazilian higher education and the formulation of affirmative action policies; c) to understand the connection between educational policies for higher education and public affirmative action policies as a means of democratizing access for underprivileged populations. This is a qualitative-exploratory research with a bibliographic and documentary approach, focusing on policies for higher education in the past twenty years. It provides a historical synthesis starting from the legal framework of the right to education from the first Brazilian Constitution of 1824 to the current Constitution of 1988. It critically analyzes the expansion of higher education in Brazil and the context of the creation of affirmative action policies and programs aimed at access for students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. As compensatory policies, programs such as ProUni, Sisu, and Fies were created, which contribute to partial social inclusion. The Law of Quotas 12,711/2012 standardized regulations to ensure a percentage of positions for Black, Mixed-Race, Indigenous, and disabled individuals. The influences of international organizations in higher education, represented by the World Bank, have shaped the direction of Brazilian education, particularly regarding market-oriented training. The affirmative action policies implemented from the government of President Fernando Henrique Cardoso to the current mandate of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva demonstrate a decrease in investment in the education sector over the years.