This article discusses the concepts of "modernity" and "post-modernity", and rejects the notion that the agenda of modernity, linked to the notions of progress, education and scientific development, is exhausted. Brazil still has a modernization agenda to fulfill, which depends on its ability to solve the problems of basic education of its population. To do this, a fresh understanding of how to approach basic education is needed, requiring a new approach to traditional questions such as the role of the public and private sectors, the links between schools and the communities, pedagogical methods and questions of content, which are discussed in the text.