Cotas no ensino superior: a trajetória acadêmica do aluno cotista na UFRN

Abstract

Brazilian higher education has an elitist history. However, the policies of the last 20 years have changed the profile of students who access this level of education. Among these, we find the quota policy, which should be accompanied by others to ensure entry, quality education and completion of courses. In this sense, this paper aims to analyze the quota policy at UFRN based on the academic trajectory of the quota student. As specific objectives, we list: characterize the implementation of the quota law and the entry of quota students in UFRN; investigate their socioeconomic profile; ascertain completion and termination rates; analyze access to monitoring, research and extension activities, technical support and scholarships and aid of the student assistance compared to non-quota students; discuss the limits and possibilities of quota policy. To reach them, data were collected on the implementation of the policy and on the selection processes from 2013 to 2015. In addition, the UFRN’s Informatics Superintendence was asked for data on entry, enrollment status, academic performance, access to monitoring, research, and extension scholarships, technical support and aid offered by the Pró-Reitoria of Students Affairs. We had continuous access to the responses of the Cadastro Único, a socioeconomic form voluntarily answered by the students, which determines their inclusion or not in the category of underprivileged students and consequent prioritization in receiving aid. After document analysis, the data were entered into a SPSS database and descriptive statistics were used for analysis. The results indicate that the academic trajectory of the quota students is different from the non-quota students. However, there are no significant differences in academic performance of the two groups. In addition, they demonstrate the importance of the activities and support offered by the institution for the academic success of students.