ERIC Number: EJ1022973
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0142-5692
EISSN: N/A
Meritocracy and the "Gaokao:" A Survey Study of Higher Education Selection and Socio-Economic Participation in East China
Liu, Ye
British Journal of Sociology of Education, v34 n5-6 p868-887 2013
Meritocracy is a powerful ideology that was used by the Chinese Communist Party during China's transition to a market economy. With the "Gaokao" in particular, higher education selection became an ideal vehicle for the Party to associate itself with the ideology of meritocracy. This article investigates the extent to which higher education selection was based on meritocratic principles in contemporary China. A survey study involving around 960 first-year students was conducted in 2007 in two provinces. The statistical analysis did not suggest a strong socio-economic selection. However, a cultural selectivity was indicated in predicting students' "Gaokao" performance as well as their chances of getting into elite universities. Socio-demographic factors appeared to be more significant than socio-economic status in affecting students' higher education opportunities.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Socioeconomic Status, Higher Education, Social Systems, Ideology, Educational Principles, Academic Achievement, Social Change, Surveys, Statistical Analysis, Prediction, Asians, Cultural Influences, Educational Opportunities, Social Stratification, Cultural Context, Family Characteristics, Professional Education, College Freshmen, Comparative Analysis, Student Characteristics
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: China
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A