THE EDUCATIONAL MANAGEMENT FROM INSTITUTIONAL PERSPECTIVE: A CASE STUDY OF A BRAZILIAN PUBLIC SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

ABSTRACT

This article shows how institutional theory collaborates to better our understanding about the management schools. We hold an argument that educational management is based on institutional processes. In such discussion, we have done a qualitative research in a school that has been successful in learning as well as it has achieved high scores in governmental assessments of quality in education. In particular, we seek to identify whether and how a specific pattern of management and values emerge during the period between 1971 and 2010. In the data analysis, we unveiled an educational management model, which was identified as proactive. Their core values were enhancement of student, trust in relationships and practices of participation in the school. The main contribution of this study, in turn, enabled us to identify the symbolic aspects spread in the organizational field of public schools in elementary education.

Keywords:
institutional theory; institutional processes; educational organizations; school management; educational management; elementary education