School District System: A Realistic Way to Crack the Problem of Compulsory Education School Selection for Students in China

Abstract

Looking through “nearest school entrance” policy evolution in China for nearly 30 years, the inherent logic of its value pursuit should act as receive compulsory education equally, whereas neighborhood entrance is just a path to realize the equality. However, under the circumstance of huge gap between different schools in China, neighborhood entrance policy will not necessarily lead to education fair, but only a sub-optimal choice. School district system is a bold breakthrough of institutionalized “nearest school entrance” policy. Through building rational “students flow” system, It meets the individualized education demand of parents, and ensure education equality. Therefore, school district division standard should transform from adhering to convenient education administrative to the free, flexible and convenient choices for students to choose school. School district division should also stick to the coordination of three principles: “nearest school entering, student needs and school developments”. The policy should also be rooted in multiple school division on the basis of relevantly balanced school resource, appropriate promotion of students flow, exploration of scientific district management mode, changing from the “gap cooperation” to “difference cooperation”, so as to build a connotation development
path.