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Comparing the payoff to vocational and academic secondary education in China over time

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  • Liu, Hongyan
  • Xu, Yali
  • Zhang, Ruyue
  • Nie, Jingchun
  • Rule, Andrew
  • Rozelle, Scott
  • Yuan, Lingran

Abstract

Vocational secondary education has been widely promoted in recent decades as a major component of economic reforms in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, whether vocational or academic secondary education better prepares students in LMICs to enter the labor market is still a matter of debate. In this study, we use data from six waves of the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020) to examine the long-term income disparities between students who graduated from vocational high schools (VHS) and those who graduated from academic high schools (AHS). We first perform a cross-cohort analysis using unbalanced panel data to compare the wage incomes of VHS graduates and AHS graduates across many graduation cohorts. We then perform a cohort-specific analysis by constructing a subsample of students enrolled in high school in 2010 and comparing their income in subsequent years. Both analyses show that VHS enrollment is associated with a significant and lasting income disadvantage compared to AHS enrollment. Our findings highlight important future research and policy directions to improve the quality and outcomes of vocational secondary education in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu, Hongyan & Xu, Yali & Zhang, Ruyue & Nie, Jingchun & Rule, Andrew & Rozelle, Scott & Yuan, Lingran, 2024. "Comparing the payoff to vocational and academic secondary education in China over time," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:injoed:v:107:y:2024:i:c:s0738059324000609
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2024.103038
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