Educação Especial e Educação de Jovens e Adultos: uma análise dos indicadores de matrícula do estado de São Paulo e em Sorocaba

Abstract

This study analyzes the relationship between Special Education and Youth and Adult Education (YAE), aiming to understand the factors that contribute to students who are the target audience of Special Education completing their educational trajectories within this modality. The research focused on the state of São Paulo and the municipality of Sorocaba, considering data from 2020 to 2025. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining quantitative analysis of data from the National Institute for Educational Studies and Research Anísio Teixeira (INEP) and a bibliographic review. The results reveal significant growth in Special Education enrollments, contrasting with the decline in overall enrollments in basic education and Youth and Adult Education. The findings also highlight the increasing participation of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It is concluded that the growing presence of Special Education students in YAE may be associated with difficulties in maintaining continuous educational pathways, reinforcing the need for public policies that ensure access, retention, and learning.