The book covers the theoretical context of education and the processes that permeate school work. A textual overview that reveals the historical process of organising Brazilian education, influenced by the social changes experienced in each era. It presents the historical context of the organisation of educational legislation, the concept and processes of assessment from antiquity to contemporary times. It emphasises the role of public policies in evaluation processes, as well as trends in the field of education that have influenced the way educational management is conceived. The understanding of students portrayed in surveys carried out, with the aim of portraying their understanding of school, education and the curriculum.