Аннотация:The stock theme of this work is the development of conceptualization of a mission and nature of education as a leading social activity participating in generation of such systematic social and mental effects of the public life as formation of civil, ethno-cultural, and panhuman identity; the dynamics of social differentiation and stratification of the society; adoption of various traditions, values, norms, and behavioral components of attitude for large and minor social groups; acquisition of a repertoire of personal, social, and professional competencies supporting individualization, socialization, and professionalization of a person within the system of individuals and professions; and development of human potential as the most important condition of national competitive performance.