Evasão e retenção no ensino superior: o caso do curso de ciências contábeis do campus sede da UFJF

Abstract

This case study investigates the causes of evasion and retention in the Accounting Science course of the Faculty of Management and Accounting of the main campus of Federal University Juiz de Fora (FACC/UFJF) that may be contributing to a reduced number of graduates compared to the number of newcomers. The period studied was from the entrance of the first class in 2011 until the end of 2017. Based on the Curriculum Matrix, it was found that the appropriate time to complete the course is 5 years (10 periods). However, it was observed that the groups that completed this time - entering 2011, 2012 and 2013 - presented at the end of the second half of 2017 a course conclusion rate of 29%, 27% and 15%, respectively. On average, these classes had 24% of students who completed the course, however 31% of students evaded and 45% of students were retained. This study made a survey and an analysis of the rates of completion, evasion and retention, especially in the present courses of Accounting Sciences of the Federal Public Universities. This dissertation has as its guiding question: What are the causes of the high evasion and retention rate in the Accounting Science course at UFJF main Campus? The principal objective of this research is to identify and to analyze the main factors that contribute to the reduced number of graduates in the course Accounting Sciences of UFJF main Campus. The specific objectives are: (I) to describe the problem of retention and evasion in the Accounting Science course at UFJF main Campus; (II) to analyze the main causes of retention and evasion in the course Accounting Sciences of UFJF main Campus; (III) to propose an Educational Action Plan to try to reduce this problem in the studied course. The methodology used is divided into two parts: the first one consists of bibliographic and documentary research and analysis of higher education census data and the SIGA UFJF. The second one consists of data analysis of two questionnaires and interviews that were applied. The first questionnaire was applied to 100 students retained in the course and the second one was applied to 50 ex-students who evaded. The interviews were conducted with eight professors who teach the course studied. The research is relevant, because the Federal University Juiz de Fora has signed a commitment agreement with the MEC to reduce evasion and to increase completion rates, therefore, it is important that these issues be studied and methods for monitoring and intervention be developed. In addition, retention and evasion result in social and economic damage to students and society, as well as expenses beyond what is necessary for the institution. The Educational Action Plan presents 11 proposals to intervene in the main causes identified for retention and evasion. Some of these proposals involve more information about the course, curriculum reform, teacher training, seminar, student monitoring and discipline evaluation.