This article presents and discusses part of the results of the research intended to examine the institutional capacity of São Paulo state municipalities regarding education policy planning, based on the aspects pertaining to: structure and operation of school systems; human resource management; pedagogical approach. The pilot study was carried out in ten municipalities of three metropolitan areas of the State of São Paulo. Initially, it presents different views on the concept of institutional capacity, followed by an analysis of the data obtained from official sources and in interviews done at the chosen municipalities.
educational policies; municipalities; institucional capacity; government programs