Public Policy Under Debate Series (POP) · No. 01 · November 2025

Author: Luiz Carlos Faria da Silva, Associate Professor at the State University of Maringá (UEM), with a degree in Pedagogy and a master's in Education from PUC-SP and a doctorate in Education from UNICAMP. His work focuses on Philosophy of Education and Literacy Teaching Methods.

The first issue of the Public Policy Under Debate series examines the Ideb, the index created by INEP in 2007 to measure the quality of basic education in Brazil. The author explains how the indicator combines SAEB test scores with pass rates, and how the 6.0 target was set by comparison with PISA.

Drawing on SAEB and PISA data, the report argues that the Ideb has design flaws and does not adequately measure progress in educational quality. It also discusses the effects of using the index in the National Education Plan and in the allocation of FUNDEB funds. The opinions expressed are the author's own.