Statewide standardized exams and the shaping of education policies for assessment: A comparative analysis of Paebes (Brazil) and Exeims-BC (Mexico)

Abstract

This article comparatively analyzes the evaluation policies that establish the creation, organization, implementation, and continuity of the Paebes/Estado Espírito Santo standardized state exams (Brazil) and Exeims-BC/Baja California (Mexico). Specifically, we seek to understand, based on these contexts and the federal organization of the countries, how these assessments and their results influence the creation of new evaluative policies and materialize the impacts of such policies for the individuals involved in this process. It is characterized as a qualitative exploratory research, assuming the comparative method as a theoretical-methodological approach. The sources explored include official government documents, exam papers, and information obtained from competent authorities' websites. The results indicate that the exams are similar regarding the state, national, and international contexts; however, the rise of the private sector in Espírito Santo is more evident through Paebes. It is observed that there is a trend towards the centralization of high-stakes policies with the intensification of accountability, both in Espírito Santo and Baja California. It is evident that this type of assessment influences not only the context of the creation of educational policies but also budget allocation and the creation of new contexts of disputes and the pursuit of school performance.