The contributions of historical and cultural psychology for high school: knowledge on adolescence

The present study was triggered by the struggles, current in Brazilian education, to ensure quality education, associated with the growing need of discussing adolescents’ schooling in high school. The concept of adolescence expressed in the pedagogical political project (PPP) of basic education schools is identified through an analysis on how the concept may contribute towards the students’ psychological development. Seven PPPs of state schools in the northwestern region of the state of Paraná, Brazil, were analyzed. Results reveal that 40% of schools under analysis failed to take an approach towards adolescence. Not all schools that deal with this development phase have a clear idea of the importance of studying this particular life phase of the subject to strengthen pedagogical practices and, especially, teachers within the adolescents’ teaching-learning process. Foregrounded on the theoretical approach of the historical and cultural psychology within the relation involving labor, education and high school, the teaching-learning process and adolescence, there is a need for in-depth studies on adolescence within overall education. Broadening of educators’ access to the productions of the historical and cultural psychology is highly relevant because it highlights education that prioritizes the mediation of contents and favors the subject’s multi-lateral formation in high school.