Modernization of education: conceptualization of the idea in European countries and the USA

Abstract

Nowadays modernization and efficiency are becoming the main indicators of innovative development. Education is also subject to modernization oriented towards the idea of «knowledge society», that’s why recent developments in the field of philosophy and sociology of education have led to a renewed interest in modernization theory.The purpose of this paper is to review research devoted to the interpretation of the concepts of «modernization» and «reform» and to analyze their potential and limitations in the field of education. The correlation between modernization of education and educational reforms is exemplified by different educational programs implemented in European countries and the USA.