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Intended and unintended effects of student performance measurement reform in China

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  • Song, Yang

Abstract

In the past few decades, the Chinese Ministry of Education has promoted “suzhi jiaoyu” (quality education) reforms. However, little is known about their impact. This paper evaluates an important component of the reforms that replaces using total scores with a letter grade system in high school admissions. I find that this change in student performance measurement achieved its intended goal of balancing learning across subjects but hindered high achievers with imbalanced performance. This paper also discusses how the measurement reform influenced the gender gap in achievements.

Suggested Citation

  • Song, Yang, 2018. "Intended and unintended effects of student performance measurement reform in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 133-152.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:chieco:v:50:y:2018:i:c:p:133-152
    DOI: 10.1016/j.chieco.2018.04.002
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Quality education; Student performance assessment; Education policy; Incentives; Gender gap;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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