BETWEEN LEGAL DISCOURSE AND EVERYDAY SCHOOL LIFE: A CASE STUDY ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DEMOCRATIC MANAGEMENT IN BASIC EDUCATION IN MARIANA/MG

Abstract

His article, derived from a completed master's dissertation, investigated the effectiveness of Democratic Management in basic education within the municipality of Mariana, Minas Gerais, considering the period from 2023 to 2024 as the timeframe for the study. To understand this issue, the research examined the relationship between the legal recognition of the democratic principle and its implementation in the daily life of schools. Accordingly, the analysis considered the Federal Constitution of 1988, the National Education Guidelines and Framework Law (LDB), the National Education Plan, the Municipal Education Plan of Mariana, and Municipal Law No. 3,620/2022. The broader study from which this article is drawn adopted a qualitative approach, guided by the hypothetical-deductive method and a case study design. The findings indicate that, at the discursive, relational, and normative levels, Democratic Management is effectively implemented, particularly through listening, dialogue, and closer engagement with families. However, its institutional practice of collective decision-making remains constrained by weaknesses in participation mechanisms, evaluation processes, training initiatives, transparency, and monitoring systems.