Abstract

Relation of the goals and values in controllable social processes is an example of the interaction of opposites, the essence of these processes. The goals of the educational institution are determined by its administration which is guided by economic interests. The educational process is carried out by teachers who focus their activities on the value of their field of study. Even when teachers are engaged in making management decisions the decisive role generally has the administration. Only in the definition of the mission of educational institutions the administration is forced to consider the value of education. The mission of educational institution is the synthesis product of management purposes and educational values. The contradiction between the goals and values of education increases during the period of changes in socio-economic policy. Both the U.S. and EU in the late XX – beginning of XXI century are forced to adjust their economic policies. Reduction in state funding of universities is a characteristic feature of the developed countries economies. A similar situation is found in Russia. Significant reduction in the number of universities is a consequence of not only the ineffectiveness of their activities, as the government claims, but also the state’s economic policy. Improvement of economic and legal autonomy of universities is a condition for the improvement of education.