Education expansion and educational stratification in rural China:

1995-2002

by
Yu, Shanshan

Abstract:
This paper investigates the impact of education expansion on educational stratification in
rural China. Using Chinese Household Income Project in 1995 and 2002, four education
landmarks: (1) graduating from primary school, (2) entering junior high school, (3)
graduating from junior high school, (4) entering senior high school are examined. The
effects of children’s gender and their family background on these educational stages are
analyzed. Results show that due to the school expansion has promoted educational
opportunities in the late 1990s, the advantages of cadre families on basic education levels
have decreased.

However, inequality based on family background and gender continues to play an

important role on the level of graduation from primary school and enrollment to senior
high school. Children from the most advantaged families are more likely to be enrolled to
senior high school while those who come from the most disadvantaged families choose to
drop out from primary school.