Final answer:
Napoleon reformed French education by establishing lycées for developing future leaders and maintaining religious tolerance through the Concordat with the Pope.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the reign of the French monarchs, education was often limited to the elite, and the Catholic Church heavily influenced it. After the French Revolution and with the rise of Napoleon, major educational reforms took place. In 1801, Napoleon established the lycées, a system of secondary schools aimed at creating a well-educated citizenry capable of serving the state efficiently in administrative and military capacities. Along with these, Napoleon's Legion of Honor recognized citizens of merit, supporting the revolutionary ideals of advancement based on ability.
The signed Concordat with the Pope in 1801 was another significant change which restored the Catholic Church's position but maintained religious tolerance. Napoleon's educational reforms were part of a broader push for efficiency and unity under his rule, with a unified code of law, the Napoleonic Code, which included secular educational measures such as standardized weights and measures.
After Napoleon, French education continued to evolve, culminating in reforms such as mass secular free education in 1882 under Jules Ferry. These reforms led to an incredible surge in literacy rates and helped shape a unified French identity. Furthermore, the expansion of public education, which by the time of Napoleon included females, and the establishment of labor unions were other steps toward modernizing France.