Contents

Ⅰ　General Report

1　Deepening Educational Reform and Vigorously Promoting Education Equity

　　【Yang Dongping】／001

Abstract: In 2014 the country continued to deepen educational reform. The improvements and innovations of education were reflected through the progress of a series of stereo type reforms: pilot reform of the college entrance examination system in Shanghai City and Zhejiang Province, the planning and management of modern vocational education system, the innovation of local education system based on decentralization, the fundamental education policy breakthrough represented by Beijing, the improvement of school conditions and the situation of children in poor areas, the transformation of higher education and educational innovations in Internet era. At the same time, old problems has not been solved such as the education of migrant children in the process of rural urbanization, new problems kept emerging such as the university scientific research corruption. In the process of deepening reforms and promoting the education governance modernization, it was important to know the “new normal” education and to solve the problems of rural education and teachers through system reform.

Keywords: Educational Reform; Education Governance Modernization; Education Equity

Ⅱ　Topics of Special Concern

2　New Gaokao and Its Influences on Chinese Education as a Whole

　　【Wen Dongmao, Liu Yubo】／014

Abstract: The State Council of The People’s Republic of China recently released “Implementation Opinions on Deepening the Reform of the Examination and Enrollment System”. This policy and its piloting plans published by Shanghai City and Zhejiang Province outlined a blueprint of the new Chinese College Entrance Examination (known as Gaokao in Chinese). Gaokao is a baton, and its reform influences the whole Chinese education. How will the new Gaokao guide the reforms of Chinese basic and higher education? What kind of opportunities and challenges will the new Gaokao bring to examinees, teachers, high schools and colleges? This paper will try to give a whole prospect of its influences.

Keywords: New Gaokao; Gaokao Reform; Elective System; College Independent Admission

3　Reform of Score Bonus Policy in China’s College Entrance Examination and Recommendations

　　【Luo Huiwen, Wang Liwei】／023

Abstract: As the supporting measures of the College Entrance Examination system reform, the Ministry of Education promulgated the reform scheme which intends to regularize the score bonus policy in college entrance examination. The measures included cancelling all the encouraging score bonus, cancelling most local compensatory score bonus, and improving the retained compensatory score bonus, etc. This more was in accordance with public opinions, but had yet to be detailed and scientific. Some recommendations were brought out such as improving score bonus policy for minority students; integrating the compensatory policy for rural students; empowering the universities and colleges to decide their own bonus policy. And it was also advisable to perfect legal system of education in China, to adjust and improve the score bonus policy based on evaluation, to present this policy as independent text, and to stabilize the policy.

Keywords: College Entrance Examination; Score Bonus Policy; Education System Reform

4　Chinese Path to Explore the Secondary Vocational Education

　　【Tian Zhilei, Wang Rong and Liu Mingxing】／032

Abstract: Firstly the relationship between the regional characteristics and vocational education development patterns was described through a simple analytical framework. Secondly four relationships between private and public secondary vocational education based on development of vocational education were discussed. Thirdly, survival conditions of different types of private vocational schools was introduced according to investigate and survey experience. Finally, several suggestions were proposed to set up more open governance structure, broader reforms in investment mechanism and support for development of private vocational college.

Keywords: Pre-employment Education; Entrance Oriented Education; Regional Secondary Vocational Education; Mixed Ownership

5　Priority of China’s Post-Secondary Education

　　【Ke Jin, Shi Yaojiang, Zhang Linxiu and Scott Douglas Rozelle】／042

Abstract: The growth rate of China’s economy in the next decade will decrease steadily. To transform the economy into a more advanced and more competitive economy, it is especially important for the developing countries to establish a highly skilled labor force market, which requires the future labor forces to have at least finished the high school education. According to one of Rural Education Action Project (REAP)’s recent research, the results showed that the probability of an urban kids went to a higher reputation universities (Top 10) in the urban China is about 35 times higher than the rural kids; even just average four years university or college, urban peers are 21 times higher probability than the rural kids. The national and provincial governments had issued various development policies aiming to promote the development of vocational education and training (VET) program. Another research conducted by REAP, however, found that students did not learn more advanced high-tech knowledge, and it was even worse that many students’ basic mathematic and Chinese skills decreased eventually after two years in the VET schools. This inability to make decision leaded to a constant low enrollment rate among the VET schools, and the dropout rate was still relatively high in the rural China.

Keywords: Vocational Education and Training (VET); Human Capital; Rural Education; Credential System of Vocational Education and Training

6　Reflection on the Policy of Local Undergraduate Colleges and Universities Transformation

　　in China【Tao Dongmei】／051

Abstract: The transformation of local undergraduate colleges and universities was vital to the structural optimization of higher education. Recently, some undergraduate colleges and universities were encouraged to reshape themselves into applied technology ones to establish the modern vocational education system of China. However, the new policy could not reflect the actual situation of local universities and had serious administrative tendency. By analyzing the present situation of Chinese higher education and the new classification trends of international higher education, it was suggested that the blueprint of vocational education and higher education should be reconstructed. Therefore a three-component system “Academic-Professional-Vocational” was put forward to promote the development of local universities.

Keywords: Transformation of Local Undergraduate Colleges and Universities; Modern Vocational Education System; Higher Education Classification

7　Difficult Transition of Independently Established Colleges【Li Jianping】／062

Abstract: How to regulate the development of independently established colleges is a big issue in the development of higher education in China. In 2008 the Ministry of Education issued 26th Order, and promulgated that the independently established colleges were set according to an independent set of general university in a period of 5 years. To March 2013, 90% of the independently established colleges around the country still failed to complete the transfer setting due to existing policies and their own problems. Some suggestions were brought out such as straightening out the relationship between the interests, solving the problems of independently established colleges.

Keywords: Independently Established College; Internal and External Reasons; Involves Vital Interests

8　Innovations of Local Education Systems-New Features and Proposals【Wang Liwei】／071

Abstract: The Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee stated “Deepening Educational Reform”. In this context, the 21st Century Education Research Institute organized the 4th Local Education Governance Innovation Award. For this year’s award candidates, “simplifying administration and decentralizing” emerged as a main theme. Three key goals had become focal points for reforming local education: clarifying the relationships between central and local governments, specifying the distribution of management roles among governments, schools and society, and advocating educators enjoying school-running power.

Keywords: Simplifying Administration and Decentralizing; Governance Innovation; Relationship between Governments and Schools

9　Reform of Admission Policy to Public Junior High Schools in Beijing【Liu Jing】／080

Abstract: In 2014, Beijing Municipal Government launched a series of new policies on admission to public junior high schools. In contrast to previous years, these policies were strictly implemented and achieved initial results. Through systematic analysis of policy documents and data collected from the related surveys at Beijing City and each district and county, a “New Normal” of no-exam and principle of proximity based compulsory education in Beijing was visualized. Some recommendations were brought out on further promoting the reform for an equal, transparent, balanced, qualified, diverse and innovative compulsory education.

Keywords: Compulsory Education; the Balanced Development; Admission to Junior High Schools (Xiao Sheng Chu); Beijing

Ⅲ　New Observations

10　Promoting the Overall Development of Special Education【Peng Xiaguang】／091

Abstract: The Plan for Promoting Special Education (2014-2016) made an overall plan for the development of China’s special education. Based on the Plan, China would within three years establish a system of special education, which was expected to boast of a rational layout, interrelated phases of education, and an integrated education combining general education and vocational education, as well as medicine and education, and build an overall and smooth mechanism for safeguarding special education service, so as to promote the overall development of special education. In order to implement the Plan and its objectives, China needs to take effective measures, such as stressing the development of inclusive education, rendering more financial support to special education, attaching importance to the needs of students with disabilities, improving the salaries of special education teachers, and promoting inclusive education, thus enabling every student with disabilities to receive proper education.

Keywords: Special Education; Inclusive Education

11　Promoting Pre-school Education Equity and Qualified【Zhang Feng, Zhao Yuchi】／103

Abstract: Equity and quality are two major issues for the development of pre-school education. With the closing of the first round three-year-project for pre-school education development, it was necessary to look into what outcomes have been achieved in terms of equity and quality improvement and what problems remain to be dealt with. In 2014, China launched the second round three-year-project for pre-school education development, with new policies issued and key projects kept implemented. How to make sure that all the children can receive equal and qualified pre-school education, and that the new policies can be well implemented, are the issues that need to be continuously investigated in practice.

Keywords: Pre-School Education; Three-Year-Project; Equity

12　International Divisions of Senior High Schools: Present Situation, Challenges and

　　Future Directions【Wang Ming, Zhang Shanshan】／116

Abstract: International divisions of senior high schools have met the needs of some students to study abroad so far. But from a long-term point of view, it was necessary to establish clear development strategies, regulate the introduction of international courses, and tighten tuition policies so as to guarantee the healthy and orderly development of the international divisions of senior high schools.

Keywords: International Divisions of Senior High Schools; Challenges

13　The Influence of Household Registration Reform to Migrant Children’s Education

　　【Zhao Han, Zhou Tian】／124

Abstract: In the rapid process of urbanization in China, there are thirty million school-aged children, and a majority of them have spent most of their lives in the cities. The new household registration (Hukou) reform reinforced the strict population control in mega cities. Shanghai had set off a new round of campaign to drive the low-end of the working population out of town, and Beijing had begun to set extremely high thresholds for migrant youth to attend public schools. How to protect non census registered school-age children for receiving compulsory education had become a serious problem to be solved in the process of urbanization.

Keywords: Household Registration (Hukou) Reform; Migrant Youth’s Education; Population Control in Mega Cities

14　Panoramic Scanning on Chinese Online Education Development 2014【Ma Hui】／134

Abstract: 2014 could be regarded as the construction year of Chinese online education. The domestic online education began to try to explore in the core areas of education, especially for K12 education, foreign language education and vocational education. At the same time, several school-in-systems carried out a small-scale pilot, and education department officials were also trying to promote interaction and fusion of online education and system of education from the policy level.

Keywords: K12 Education; Foreign Language Education; Vocational Education; O2O Learning Model; Mobile Learning

15　Taiwan’s 12-Year Public Education and Some Comments【Ren Huaiming】／143

Abstract: Being the largest education reform for the past 45 years, Taiwan’s 12-Year Public Education was launched in September 2014 finally. However, the controversy had been continued since the policy was announced, even after its implementation. Examining the results of the implementation in the first year, among four core values of the policy, only “non-compulsory” had been fully achieved through legislation. The rest of them, “universal”,“free tuition”, and “exam-free”, hadn’t been delivered properly through the execution. The inconsistency reflected the contradictory thinking and compromise character of the authorities.

Keywords: Taiwan Education; 12-Year Public Education; Education Reform; Education Policy

16　Yenching Academy and University Governance【Lin Yaqiong】／153

Abstracts: The establishment of Yenching Academy in Peking University was a noticeable event in 2014. According to the claim of Peking University, Yenching Academy was a new move to build world top universities and to improve internationalization. This paper contended the establishment of Yenching Academy indicated the administrative power strengthened while the more and more capitals flowing into universities. Internationalization is a powerful driving force and rhetorical discourse for administrative system to build world top universities. There is tension between the international idea and the characteristics of knowledge production in humanities, which results in fierce discussion and debate among scholars. In addition, the dispute about master program of Chinese Studies indicated the idea about the discipline and program in China, where there was tight connection between a discipline to a program. The institutionalization of multidisciplinary field in America, for example East Asian Studies, in the form of research centers and program, could not be used as persuasive argument in legitimation of Yenching Academy.

Keywords: Yenching Academy; Administrative Power; Internationalization; Academic Discipline; Instruction Program

17　Teacher Education Reform with New Challenges

　　【Song Huan, Zhang Bo, Wang Jingying and Zhou Shenji】／164

Abstract: After 21st century, the teacher education system, which covered 4-level teacher preparation and consisted of normal universities/colleges, comprehensive universities/colleges, and secondary vocational schools, was built up. At the same time, teacher education institutes were exploring multi-length education model, practice-oriented curriculum, innovation practical activities. However, such explorations were with many shackles such as the gap between theory and practice, lack of capacities preparation. The recent reform in teacher certification exam policy created a fundamental attack on the value of teacher education and made de-professionalization of teacher education.

Keywords: Normal Education; Teacher Education

18　Debate of “Super High School”【Zeng Guohua】／177

Abstract: “Super High School” with the basic characteristics of “mega scale, strict management, intensity training, frequent examination, a top student super overclock much super, super high enrollment rate, ‘North rate’ high” once again became the focus in 2014. The “super high school” praise or blame dispute were reviewed. From the perspectives of history and reality, the reasons for the formation of “super high school” were analyzed. Some suggestions were brought out about changing traditional examination and evaluation system, correcting mistake educational achievement view of graduation rates first, proper controlling the scale.

Keywords: Super High School; Education Ecology; Educational Achievement View; Regulate School-Running Behavior

Ⅳ　Investigations and Comments

19　Measurement, Scientific Research and Reform: Thoughts on PISA Test【Zhou Ling】／187

Abstract: PISA is an international student assessment program sponsored by OECD. The program was planned to mainly evaluate abilities and literacies around reading, mathematics, science, creative problem solving and finance for the 15 year old students. In order to recognize the positive and negative effects of PISA, PISA should be understood not only from the perspective of ability assessment directly, but also from the aspects of educational research and educational reform caused by PISA.

Keywords: Measurement; Scientific Research; Reform; PISA Test

20　Analysis on the Influence of Family Factors to Juvenile Delinquency

　　【Zhang Liangxun, Zhao Huijie】／196

Abstract: At the present, the problem of juvenile delinquency in our country stage was still more serious. Juvenile delinquency first cause in the family, appeared in school learning, eventually deteriorated out in the process of socialization. There were important links between family factors and juvenile crime. Bad family structure, improper way of family education, poor family economic and cultural environment were the key factors causing the delinquent minors. It was necessary to explore the mechanism of prevention of juvenile delinquency from the family source. Good family education environment, scientific family education, family structure could effectively help to build up the juvenile crime prevention mechanism.

Keywords: Juveniles; Delinquency; Family Structure; Family Education; Family Economic and Cultural Environment

21　An investigation Upon the Current Development Situation of School-age Children

　　in Poor Areas【Qin Hongyu】／207

Abstract: An investigation on current development situation of school-age children was conducted based on four dimensions: student physical health, teachers’ evaluation of psychological health on students, student learning conditions in school, and school education resources distribution. The investigation compared elementary schools in provincial capitals with those in poor counties; it also further comprehensively compared elementary schools in capital cities with those in townships, villages and teaching spots. It was found that unhealthy life habits and nutrient absorb were two most hidden concerns for poor areas school-age children’s physical health. The psychological health problems for school-age children in township central elementary schools were most serious. The school-age children in poor areas village elementary schools and teaching spots had insufficient basic boarding conditions, and their education resources access was far less than the township central elementary schools.

Keywords: Poor Areas; School-Age Children; Education;Healthy

22　Report on Teachers Enhancement in Rural Small Schools【Zhang Xu】／221

Abstract: As the most vulnerable part in the school system, rural small schools’ development was crucial to the realization of education equality and the promotion of social justice. Among others, teacher enhancement was the key to promote the development of rural small schools. It was necessary to hold a solid understanding of the obstacles facing teacher enhancement in rural small schools, and re-structure rural small school teachers. And this could be the key to rebuild the confidence of rural small schools, and reform their education ecology.

Keywords: Rural;Small Schools; Teacher Resources

23　Survey on Education Value of the Public【Yang Min】／230

Abstract: Aiming at the hot topics in the field of education, the survey revealed different views of respondents on education value by gender, age, and educational qualifications. The survey showed that the vast majority of the public had relatively healthy education value, attaching great importance to making children grow up healthy and happy, and paying attention to the cultivation of ability. The results appeared obvious contrast with the reality of examination-oriented education, such as elite competition and forced management to children. Respondents with higher education recognized more value to the role of parents in children’s education. Respondents with the lower education had more hopes to have their children succeed. The generation after 1970s showed more liberal and democratic attitudes to education. Parents living without children in urban areas gave more support to utilitarian value, such as admission of elite schools and competition of starting line.

Keywords: Education Value of the Public; Education Survey; Educational Qualifications; Quality Education

Ⅴ　Appendices

24　Bulletin of Statistics of National Educational Development for 2013／242

25　Official National Report on the Implementation of Budgetary Revenues and Expenditures

　　in the Educational Sector for 2013／249

26　Chronicles of Major Educational Events in 2014／252

27　Ten Significant Hot Issues on Education in 2014／276

28　Reconstruction of Education in Taiwan: Reflection on the Educational Reform in 20 Years／277

29　Data Report on China Migrant Children in 2014（Excerpt）／284

30　Report on Study Abroad Trend in 2014 （Excerpt）／297

31　The South University of Science and Technology of China in Five Years of Reform／305