State Policy in the Sphere of Education: Actual Problems of Theoretical Discussion

In modern science, despite the existing consensus regarding the role of the state in educational processes, a number of questions constantly arise related to methodological approaches to the analysis of the content of the concept of "public education". The article presents the main aspects of the theoretical analysis of the role of the state in the development of education policy in a globalizing world. The processes associated with the formation of a system of mass education in various regions of the world are studied. The authors argue that public education systems with historically developed regional characteristics should be compared only by abstracting their distinctive features in order to identify criteria that can serve as measurement variables. The various assessments of neoliberal reforms in the field of education, which were initially focused on a deep restructuring of cultural, social, political and economic relations between the state, the market and society are also analyzed. The main aspects of critical analytics presented in the works of scientists who seek to reveal the true background and consequences of neoliberal educational policy are explored. Overcoming the neoliberal syndrome in theory and practice, ultimately, opens up new opportunities for theoretical analysis of the evolution of state education policy in the following promising areas: conceptual framework and methodological approaches to research on the ideological resources and practices of state reforms in the field of education; strategic analysis of the dynamics of educational policy in the modern world; the influence of education policy on the evolution of democratic institutions and many others.