The dissertation presented considers the leading role that street-level bureaucrats assume in the process of implementing federal education programs, in a case study at a school in the municipal network of São Luís in Maranhão. Looking specifically at the Mais Educação Program and the implementation of its replacement, the Novo Mais Educação Program. Although located at different political moments, both aim to fulfill one of the goals of the National Education Plan, which runs until 2024, using different strategies. This study arises from the perspective of contributing to the analysis of the performance of these actors, what motivates them, what values surround them and in what conditions of work and performance certain choices and deliberations are made. Throughout the investigation it was possible to verify that the discretion, in this case, not only occurs but assumes a protagonist role for the implementation of the federal program to happen. Whether due to the lack of guiding manuals that support streetlevel bureaucrats, or due to the understanding that these actors have of the concept of comprehensive education and how it fits into the program s objective in its two versions.