Strategic Collaboration for System Transformation in São Paulo
The Education Lab for Latin America (ELLA), the Secretariat of Education of São Paulo and Parceiros da Educação launched a strategic collaboration to support the transformation of São Paulo’s public education system, the largest in the Western Hemisphere, into a global reference for equity and learning by 2040.
An unprecedented case that brings together academia, the State, and civil society for the design, implementation, and evaluation of education policies.
The plan to transform education
8 areas supported by the + 4 year collaboration
The pandemic and ongoing inequalities have deepened learning gaps across São Paulo’s schools. To address this challenge, the partnership will collaborate with the Secretariat of Education to evaluate learning recovery interventions at scale, including:
- Proficiency-based classroom grouping pilots, testing flexible instructional approaches based on learning levels, "Projeto VOAR".
- Support in designing and validating the RCT (Randomized Controlled Trial) for impact evaluation of the tracking methodology
São Paulo currently conducts bi-monthly, systemwide student assessments. However, the culture remains largely summative, focused on testing rather than learning. The partnership will collaborate with the Secretariat of Education to:
- Support for the process of improving Seduc-SP’s pedagogical feedback.
Improving teaching quality is central to São Paulo’s system transformation. The partnership will focus on designing and evaluating scalable teacher training models that are practice-based, peer-led, and focused on learning outcomes:
- Support in reviewing the Training System (Planning of the Classroom and Multiplica), based on international evidence;
- Support in designing the 2027 RCT, comparing the potential expansion of the Osasco pilot vs. the network’s Multiplica program
There is currently an evaluation underway of the implementation of the School Management Program, as well as a review of the competency framework and the career path for school principals. The collaboration includes:
- Evaluation of the impact of replacing School Principals on student learning.
- Survey of scientific evidence on international literacy approaches.
- Use of strategies and methods with proven literacy results with SME-SP and municipalities.
- Support in reviewing and improving the Full-Time Education model with a focus on optimization and cost reduction.
- Analysis of the effectiveness of the network’s new socioemotional material for the Final Years, assessing its connection with existing initiatives (CONVIVA, Psychologists in Schools, among others).
- Survey of evidence from academic literature and international benchmarks on the use of platforms, technology, and AI
Literature Reviews
ELLA’s literature reviews bring together existing research on key education policy questions. They summarize what the evidence tells us about what works, under what conditions, and what policymakers and practitioners should consider when designing and implementing education programs in Latin America.
Learning Recovery for Secondary School Students by Karina Gómez and Paola Uccelli, identifies the key features of effective learning recovery tutoring programs for secondary school students, with a focus on literacy and mathematics.
Learning Recovery for Secondary School Students - Literature Review
