Quality of education: concept, factors, and evaluation criteria

This paper presents an analysis of the primary concepts of the quality of education: “compliance with objectives or standards” and “quality as consumer satisfaction”. Based on sociological-theoretical analysis, the conclusion is made about the complex and multidimensional nature of the phenomenon of education quality, which is one of the key mechanisms for regulating the educational system. The study of factors affecting the quality of education, among which the first place is taken by educational policy, as it sets the aims for the entire educational system. Additionally, it is noted that significant roles are played by factors such as the aims and potential of education, the motivation of learners and educators, and the aggregate of social, material-technical, and informational resources, among others. The paper also provides a classification of the criteria for evaluating the quality of education, which are grouped into the following categories: normative, personal, social, and criteria related to the quality of educational process.