What Justice? Whose Justice? Exploring the "No-Choice" Reform in China Through Different Policy Actors' Perspectives

• In Event: Furthering International Perspectives on the Politics of School Choice Policies

Abstract

The principles of justice have always been a central question regarding school choice policymaking and implementation. Little is known about the role and perspective of policy actors in negotiating and mediating school choice policies. This paper focus on China's recent no-choice reform and examines different policy actors' perceptions of justice in school choice. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with two local ministers, two principals, and ten parents. The findings revealed that the local minister held egalitarian principles of justice like the reform and advocated for limiting choice for social equality. The principals and parents held a mixed perception of libertarian and meritocracy and supported free choice. The disagreement about school choice justice between different communities has been affecting policy outcomes.

Authors

• Cheng Zhong, Nanjing Normal University
  Presenting Author

• Yangjie Li, Hangzhou Normal University
  Presenting Author

• Kwan Choi Thomas Tse, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
  Presenting Author