Voices of Students, Parents, and Teachers in China’s Secondary Education Reform, 10(18)

Abstract

The goal of this study was to examine how and to what extent secondary teachers have implemented educational reforms in China that have had a direct impact on students, teachers, and parents. The survey concluded that teachers and parents liked the reform initiatives. Most teachers were able to make changes that supported the reforms even though the changes required more time, effort, and new knowledge. Teachers lacked in-service professional development and resources. Both students and teachers experienced difficulties that arose from the conflict between activity-based learning and exam-oriented systems. Parents and society need to change their mindsets of valuing exam achievements. Chinese educators are at the crossroads of whether the ‘quality’ movement is what the students and society need at this time. Leaders who want to implement change will have to pay attention to the voices of stakeholders.