THE NATIONAL CURRICULUM FOR BASIC EDUCATION AND THE TEACHING PRACTICE OF MATHEMATICS TEACHERS

In this article we present some of the results of an investigation work about the teaching practice of the Mathematics teachers in 3rd cycle of basic education in Portugal, according to the curricular guidelines expressed in the national curriculum for basic education. It has been sought, from a theoretical framing, characterize both the professional knowledge of the mathematics professor and its performance. We also deal with the concept of curriculum and we pretend, also, to provide some perspectives of the curriculum development on the current curriculum guidelines in Portugal. It has been relevant for this to analyse the Portuguese students learning in external evaluations, such as the PISA program, control tests and national exams. The study has followed a research methodology framed in an interpretive paradigm according to a design of the study of the case. We have verified that two of the teachers participants knew well the national curriculum for basic education, being this a guidance instrument for their teaching practices, and how, in a general way, they adjust to the above mentioned curriculum guidelines. However, one of the participant teachers reveals some distance with the intentions of the document, as it retains a teaching practice guided by previous curricular guidance.