For many educators, politicians, and researchers, evaluation was seen as a tool of control rather than an instrument to monitor and support education. The improved collection and use of evaluation information has allow ed Brazil to improve the quality and efficiency of its education system. Reforms first focused on building the enabling context for evaluation activities. This included defining the overarching policy framework for evaluation, creating the right institution to lead evaluation programmes, ensuring stable and sufficient funding, and developing in-country capacity for carry ing out evaluation tasks.