Evasão e permanência na educação a distância: uma análise do Centro de Referência em Educação a Distância do IFTO

Abstract

This technical-scientific report integrates the activities carried out in the Professional Master's Program in Education of the Professional Postgraduate Program in Education at the Federal University of Tocantins (UFT), within the research line "Specific Curricula of Stages and Modalities of Education". The research investigates school dropout in distance learning technical courses offered by the Federal Institute of Tocantins (IFTO) and proposes as a final product a series of podcasts, with three episodes that discuss dropout and possible variations in the rates from 2018 to 2022. The central question of the research lies in problematizing school dropout in IFTO's distance learning technical courses, examining whether there were significant variations in dropout rates during the pandemic period compared to previous years. To this end, the overall objective is to analyze dropout rates in distance education programs at IFTO between 2018 and 2022. Specific objectives include: characterizing the student profile (age range, gender, and income), identifying dropout data, and developing a podcast series addressing the causes of dropout, focusing on the effects of the pandemic. The methodology adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory research. Data collection was carried out using official digital sources, such as IFTO itself, the Nilo Peçanha Platform - PNP, and the INEP/MEC School Census. The data analyzed include enrollments, graduations, retentions, and dropouts at IFTO's distance education support centers. Content analysis was performed based on the methods of Bardin and Silva, using steps such as organization, validation, and processing of the collected data. This research initially contextualizes the state of Tocantins, highlighting its recent formation, population, and economy, which, although diversified, faces challenges in professional qualification. In this context, IFTO (Federal Institute of Tocantins) plays a fundamental role in offering technical and higher education, especially through the Center of Reference in Distance Education (CREAD), created in 2019. In summary, the study highlighted the factors that contribute to school dropout and identified the impacts of the pandemic that did not alter dropout rates; however, it provides support for the development of strategies that increase success in distance learning technical courses, thus promoting professional qualification and the socioeconomic development of Tocantins. It also presents a proposal for three podcast episodes that discuss the issue of dropout in distance learning technical courses.