Impacts of the Quota Law on a Federal Higher Education Institution: research on student dropout

Abstract

Research results are presented using historical series of institutional data about student dropout in undergraduate courses, to compare the period before (2008 to 2012) with the period after (2013 to 2017) the implementation of the Quota Law, in order to obtain evidence of the impacts of this affirmative action within the Federal University of Ceará (UFC). The results revealed (i) a systematic decrease in dropout rates from 2013 on; (ii) inexistence of significant difference between the average evasion rates for the periods before and after the Quota Law; (iii) significant difference between the dropout rates of quota and non-quota students in all areas of knowledge, with those showing the highest percentage. It was concluded that it is urgent to implement and/or improve academic policies aimed at combating the dropout of quota students, and preventive actions for student assistance, including psychological and pedagogical monitoring, so that, in this way, the Law de Cotas achieves the expected social effect and the aforementioned university continues to fulfill its mission of training professionals with the highest qualifications.