Pedagogical Practices in an Educational Territory of Priority Intervention

Abstract

This study follows the theoretical line of various authors, among them Abelha, Machado, Costa Lobo (2014), Roldão (1999a, 1999b, 2007), Hargreaves (1998), and Alarcão (2003), and examines collaborative work among the teachers of D. Pedro I School Cluster, in North Portugal. This school cluster is part of the Educational Territories of Priority Intervention. We have used a quantitative methodological design to analyze the teachers’ different opinions and representations of the dynamics of collaborative work, their conceptions of curriculum, curriculum management, curriculum development, and educational projects. The information was subjected to statistical analysis, with the support of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 22, a calculation software tool. Given the results obtained, we have been faced with the scope of the initial purpose of this study, that is, examining respondents’ understanding of the concepts listed above, how they manage the curriculum, the characterization of work dynamics, and the evaluation of the changes regarding the teacher satisfaction about work dynamics according to the personal and professional characteristics of the respondents. In short, this cluster can be considered an example of good collaborative practices, with effective management, and leadership that supports, encourages and motivates its teachers. This study opens up potential future scenarios of research and intervention in the field of reflective school, focusing on school cultures of excellence.