In this article, the author refers to the socio-cultural study of the educational system, considering it in the institutional and systemic aspects. The author focuses on the many aspects of the concept of "education." According to the author, the complexity of the essential and functional characteristics of education implies the need for an integrated approach in its study, and allows us to consider education as a social institution and as a social and cultural phenomenon. The author refers to the analysis of the various stages in the development of the education system, formulating a conclusion about the need to bring the institutional characteristics of the education system in line with the demands and challenges of modern society. Emphasizes the importance of information and communication technology, connectedness modern education system, which also requires an adjustment of the existing approaches to the study of the phenomenon of education.

Keywords: education, social institution, society, innovation, information