THE PARTICIPATION OF SCHOOL COUNCILS IN THE EVALUATION OF SCHOOL PRINCIPALS: social control and democratic management

Abstract

This paper discusses the importance of School Councils' participation in the evaluation process of school managers, particularly during the probationary period, as a strategy to strengthen democratic management in Brazilian public education. Enshrined in the 1988 Federal Constitution and regulated by the National Education Guidelines and Framework Law, democratic management requires the involvement of the school community in institutional decisions. In this context, School Councils act as instances of social control and collective deliberation, contributing to the transparency and legitimacy of administrative and pedagogical processes. The study highlights that, although legally established, the effective participation of these councils faces challenges such as the lack of training for members, unclear duties, and absence of specific regulations. Therefore, it recommends implementing public policies aimed at the continuous training of council members, as well as adopting participatory and dialogic evaluation methodologies that consider the school context and community expectations. The expanding the qualified and autonomous participation of School Councils is essential to consolidate democratic management practices, promote inclusion, and guarantee the right to quality education, establishing the school as a space for dialogue, participation, and shared social responsibility.