Incorporating the Theory of Change in the Development of a Public Policy for Distance Higher Education in Brazil

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18264/eadf.v15i1.2540

Keywords:

Higher Education, . Public policies, Theory of change, Reuni digital, Higher education

Abstract

This study mapped the logical structure of a public policy to expand distance higher education in Brazil, based on the Theory of Change. The research analyzes the theory's three main approaches - narrative, overview and causal - and develops a Theory of Change model for the future evaluation of this public policy. The use of empirical evidence from the Reuni Digital Program serves as an in-depth case study demonstrating the application of Theory of Change in the real world and reinforces the effectiveness of this approach to find public problems during the design phase; effectively coordinate intervention activities during implementation; and evaluate the results and impacts of the program through indicators during the evaluation phase. In this way, this study confirms the potential learning in public program planning processes, where the narrative, overview and causal approaches stand out for their distinct but complementary elements.

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Author Biographies

Fábio Henrique dos Anjos, Universidade Federal de Viçosa

PhD student in the Graduate Program in Administration at the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), in the Public Policy research line. Previously, he worked as a researcher at the Getulio Vargas Foundation's Directorate for the Development of Public Management and Educational Policies (FGV DGPE) and at the Foundation for Scientific and Technological Enterprises at the University of Brasília (UnB). She has a master's degree in Public Management and Society from the Institute of Applied Social Sciences at the Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG). He holds a bachelor's degree in Administration from the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA) and was awarded 1st place in the Academic Merit prize. He was a substitute professor at UNIFAL-MG, where he taught the following subjects: Brazilian Public Administration, Brazilian Political Institutions, Models of Democracy, Public Marketing, Public Projects and Public Policy Evaluation; and a collaborating/volunteer professor at UnB, where he taught Applied Scientific Methodology. Areas of interest and activity: implementation of public policies, educational policies, government instruments, public governance and its stakeholders.

Suely de Fátima Ramos Silveira, Universidade Federal de Viçosa

Professor in the Graduate Program in Administration and the Graduate Program in Home Economics at the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV). Graduated in Economics from the Federal University of Viçosa (1984), Master's in Rural Economics from the Federal University of Viçosa (1993) and PhD in Applied Economics from ESALq/University of São Paulo (2000). Director of the Institute for Public Policy and Sustainable Development (IPPDS) (2012-2016). Member of the National Association of Graduate Studies and Research in Administration (ANPAD) and Theme Leader of ANPAD's APB Academic Division for the 2015-2018 biennium. Member of the Scientific Committee of ANPAD's Academic Division - APB - Public Administration. Member of the Fiscal Council of the Brazilian Society of Public Administration - SBAP (Nov.2020-JUN2022). Member of the Public Policy Evaluation and Monitoring Network. Member of the GIGAPP Community - Grupo de Investigación en Gobierno, Administación y Politicas Públicas (Madrid, Spain). He has experience in the area of Administration, working mainly in the field of Public Policy, with research in the following thematic areas: Public Administration; Public Policies; Agenda, Formulation, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation of Public Policies; Development. She also has experience in project design and evaluation and financial analysis.

Luana Ferreira dos Santos, Universidade Federal de Viçosa

PhD in Business Administration from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN). Adjunct Professor in the Department of Administration and Accounting at the Federal University of Viçosa (DAD/UFV). She is a member of the UFV Administration Course Coordinating Committee. She works in the Graduate Program in Administration PPGAdm/UFV as a master's and doctoral advisor and as a member of the Coordinating Committee. She is the leader of the Anpad theme “Cases and Applications of Public Policies: tradition of policy orientation”. She researches public policies in different areas such as family farming, education and health.

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Published

2025-11-18

How to Cite

Anjos, F. H. dos, Silveira, S. de F. R., & Santos, L. F. dos. (2025). Incorporating the Theory of Change in the Development of a Public Policy for Distance Higher Education in Brazil. EaD Em Foco, 15(1), e2540. https://doi.org/10.18264/eadf.v15i1.2540

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Estudos de Caso

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