Range and Extent of School Effects in China: examining two student cohorts and three regions.
Abstract
This paper presents selected findings from two UK DFID/ESRC funded studies: Improving Educational Evaluation and Quality in China (IEEQC) and Improving Teacher Development and Educational Quality in China (ITDEQC). The paper seeks to provide new insights about (i) the impact of student and school characteristics and other factors on students attainment and progress at senior secondary school, (ii) the relevance of these factors in the evaluation of school effectiveness in China and (iii) patterns in school effects across 2 student cohorts (2009-2010) and 3 regions (east and west). The methodology involves exploring the nature and extent of school effectiveness in three separate Chinese regions. Innovative quantitative methodology (multilevel modelling) is used to analyse longitudinal datasets comprising students’ examination, prior attainment and background information as well as school process and context data from 120+ schools and 180,000+ students.
The findings replicate, validate and extend previous similar research (using data from only one student cohort) that indicated significant differences in value added measures of school effectiveness between schools and regions in China. Key findings presented include differences in results observed across two consecutive student cohorts in each of the three regions investigated - in order to estimate the extent to which school effects may vary over time. The implications of the findings are discussed in terms of educational policy and practice in mainland China and internationally. Drawing on additional evidence from key stakeholders (national and local policy makers, teachers, students) the paper also outlines different approaches to develop innovation in school evaluation and guidelines for implementation to enhance school improvement efforts in mainland China.
Citation
Thomas, S.; Peng, WenJung; Li, J.; Tian, H.; Feng, J.; Ma, X.; Ren, C. Range and Extent of School Effects in China: examining two student cohorts and three regions. Presented at Third Meeting of the EARLI Sig 18 Educational Effectiveness, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland, 29-31 August 2012. (2012)
Links
Range and Extent of School Effects in China: examining two student cohorts and three regions.