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This essay offers a critical reflection on the challenges currently faced by education in contemporary society, particularly in the Latin American context, which is characterized by profound social, economic, and technological transformations. Through an intertextual analysis of diverse theoretical contributions, the paper examines key issues related to the knowledge society, illiteracy, educational investment, and their relationship with economic development, highlighting persistent tensions between educational coverage, quality, and relevance. The analysis argues that these challenges cannot be adequately addressed solely through increased investment or curricular reforms. Instead, they require a critical examination of institutional evaluation processes that guide educational decision-making. In this regard, meta-evaluation is presented as a strategic approach to assess the quality of evaluation itself, identify its limitations, and strengthen its formative and transformative potential. Finally, the essay suggests that achieving educational quality in the twenty-first century demands an integrated approach that connects evaluation, contextual relevance, and continuous improvement as foundations for sustainable educational and social development.