Prosocial mission of education: regulatory framework and growth points

Abstract

Introduction. In modern society it is necessary to acquire the new meanings and value orientations of the education mission. The context of understanding and the significant reference points hierarchy in the education sphere are constantly changing in the world. The ways to realize socially significant priorities in the sphere of education are widely represented in the international scientific and pedagogical space, but they are of a fragmented character, which does not allow a particular state, society, family and individual fully meeting the prosocial needs. The social demands in Russia are connected with a clear understanding of the need to educate a citizen and a patriot in accordance with the traditional spiritual and moral values and prosocial pedagogical attitudes. In terms of regulatory framework a serious groundwork for the realization of the prosocial mission of modern education has been created. Research goal is to determine the main characteristics of the prosocial mission of education in the current information and regulatory framework in order to identify the growth points and to develop the ways for their implementation in the Russian society. Research methodology and methods. The research is based on the methodology and basic pedagogical ideas of prosocial approach; the authors used qualitative analysis of data obtained from information, regulatory sources, scientific literature and expert opinion study, as well as observation, comparison, conceptual foresight and problem-logical methods. The empirical research was based on survey methods – questionnaires, expert survey (1,150 people) and discussion of the results obtained in focus groups of experts (more than 100 people) and representatives of five general education organizations in Belgorod and Belgorod region (53 people). Research insights. The actual source and regulatory framework of the phenomenon under study has been identified. It is defined that the prosocial mission of education considers the role of education in the development of positive traits of young people and sustainable development of society. Two groups of growth points of the prosocial mission of education are identified: 1) reflection of the international priorities (supporting the ideas of sustainable development of education at the political level; reforming the education and professional training spheres; improving professional level of pedagogical staff; involving young people; activating local population representatives); 2) national dominants (values and quality of education; social design and volunteering; teacher helping activity; communication and interaction in teaching). Conclusion. Understanding prosocial mission of education, teaching staff can choose the content, forms and ways to arrange the education process, to construct the communication style and use helping pedagogical strategies, to make the criteria choice to evaluate the educational outcome.