Avaliação da eficácia da Política Pública de Assistência Estudantil na Universidade Federal de Lavras

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the student assistance policies practiced by UFLA – Universidade Federal de Lavras for four semesters (2nd sem. 2010, 1st and 2nd sem. 2011 and 1st sem. 2012). A documental research methodology was used to elaborate a survey on archives of the University carried out in order to obtain quantitative data. Concerning the objectives of the student assistance proposed in the National Student Assistance Plan (Plano Nacional de Assistência Estudantil – PNAES) and in the Institutional Programs, the effectiveness of the policy with regard to the achievement of equity in academic performance and permanence in the course was evaluated. The academic performance of the vulnerable socioeconomic student group is superior to the academic performance of the group of other students in the University and also the evasion rates of the student group in vulnerable socioeconomic situation are lower than the others, thus the student assistance policy practiced in the University has achieved its objectives. There were however, high evasion rates in some nocturnal graduation courses with a significant proportion of students in a position of vulnerability, which indicated the need for more research to enable the clarification of this relationship. The importance of this study is to remark on the lack of research on this issue at the University. This work is intended to serve as a basis for future evaluation and possible improvements in the policies adopted.