Schools’ Strengths and Areas for Improvement: Perspectives From External Evaluation Reports

In the context of schools’ growing autonomy, external evaluation mechanisms, including External Evaluation Schools (EES), are increasingly central to educational policies. This paper is based on documentary analysis all reports third cycle EES in Portugal (77 reports), focusing two sections those reports—the strengths and areas for improvement identified them. The intends uncover currently stressing as relevant assess quality identify tendencies across years implementation territorial (TAs). results some impacts from TAs, highlighting effects agents interpreting implementing Some highlighted critical—such impact self-evaluation, management, curriculum supervision accompaniment teaching practices, evaluation, pedagogical or results. These aligned with broader policy priorities.