The purpose of this paper is to clarify the role and challenges of teaching history of education in university by analyzing the“ Reference Standards for Curriculum Development for Quality Assurance in University Education by Discipline: Reference Standards for the Field of Education” set forth by the Science Council of Japan (SCJ). How should teachers of history of education respond to the call from the SCJ to“ educate students to what? The education posed by the reference standards is different from the education that has been variously criticized in the past. The education that is now called for is one that positions teacher education as an essential element, relativizes modern school education, and proposes measures for its improvement and alternatives. The reference standards clearly state the role of teaching history of education. This paper has organized them into seven competencies to be acquired through learning history of education. The characteristics and basic competencies of the education that correspond to each of the seven competencies are also listed. In addition, although not explicitly stated as a role of teaching history of education in the reference standards, there are some competencies that can be learned through learning history of education as well. This paper has organized them into five competencies that can be acquired through learning history of education.