This paper analyses the evaluative/regulating State in Brazil after the LDB/1996, focusing on the regulating agencies and institutions that define the quality standards in higher education. At the beginning of Fernando Henrique Cardoso's Administration, this role was first played by commissions integrated by experts from the Ministry of Education and, then, by INEP. During Lula's administration, instances were created to coordinate the evaluation, however, MEC and CONAES were responsible for defining the quality criteria. Therefore, during the period post-LDB ad-hoc commissions of experts and academics were created, attempting to legitimate the evaluation through the professionalization
Higher education; Higher education evaluation and regulation; Quality standards