Curriculum policies in the field of initial reading instruction in Brazil: from theoretical-epistemological-didactic advances to the contemporary blackout

Abstract

The study presented in this paper aimed at identifying conceptions of literacy in the approved version of the National Common Curriculum Base - BNCC (Brasil, 2017) and in the National Literacy Policy - PNA (Brasil, 2019). Based on theoretical discussions relating to these fields and curricular policies, it presents documentary research supported by thematic content analysis. As a result, concerning literacy in BNCC, there is a perspective based on teaching the alphabetic code and the mechanics of reading, suppressing the expression alphabetic writing system, so widespread in Brazilian literature. On the literacy axis, although it maintains the idea of social usage of language, based on the various textual genres, it establishes an unnecessary understanding of overcoming the literacy of letters and what is proposed as digital literacy or multiliteracies. Regarding the PNA, there was a notable step backward in literacy, whose reference is the cognitive science of reading. This document goes back to the traditional phonic synthetic method and commits conceptual and epistemological misunderstandings about alphabetic writing, spelling, and reading. It also relies on an unclear conceptualization and progression of literacia throughout basic schooling. It contradicts the National Education Plan, reducing the consolidation of literacy from three to one year. The study showed a clear historical-epistemological-didactic clackout of literacy.