I Want It, but I Don't and Can't: Parents' Reflections on China's New "Double Reduction" Education Policy

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Twelve
  In Roundtable Session: Stakeholders' Perspectives on National Education Policies (Table 7)

Abstract

In July of 2021, China enacted a major national educational burden reduction policy. In this qualitative study, we investigated parents’ perception of this policy and actions. Thematic data analysis revealed that (1) parents with middle income were supportive of the requirement that school hours be extended by two hours every day, but did not support other provisions of the policy; (2) most parents had taken or would take other measures to offset the impact of the policy on them and their children. We concluded that while the policy would relieve children’s heavy academic burden in the short-term, it unlikely would achieve the desired effect because of China’s meritorious/test-score based admission scheme for competitive high schools and colleges.

Authors

• Xilong Jing, University of South Florida
  Presenting Author

• Tony Xing Tan, University of South Florida
  Presenting Author