Proceedings of the 7th International Academic Conference on Teaching, Learning and Education, 2024
Year: 2024
DOI:
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General High School or Vocational High School: School Choice for Students Near the High School Entrance Examination Score Line
Yushan Huang
ABSTRACT:
This study explores the school choice dilemmas of students on the cusp of high school entrance examination scores, particularly those eligible for general high schools but opting for vocational ones. Against a backdrop of governmental emphasis on elevating vocational education quality, the research navigates the challenges posed by the current hierarchical relationship between vocational and general education. Examining the dual functions of education and selection in schools, the study scrutinizes the preferred selection and signals emitted by the integration of general and vocational education. It accentuates the attempt to downplay the selective function, spotlighting the educational role and aligning with principles of long-term education and equality. By investigating the psychological facets influencing parental and student acceptance of vocational education, the research contributes to a nuanced comprehension of the educational and selective functions intertwined in the school choice process. The study’s theoretical significance lies in its departure from conventional structural factors, instead delving into students’ subjective experiences during school choice. Departing from prevailing theories centered on social class reproduction and structuralist perspectives, this research explores students’ active insights and dynamic thinking in the decision-making process. By addressing key questions on how students perceive and interpret educational and selective functions, the study aims to unveil the intricate connection mechanisms between these functions and the pursuit of educational equity. Ultimately, it critically examines vocational education within the broader context of school choice, unraveling the interplay between structural factors, student perceptions, and the overarching goal of educational equity.
keywords: School Choice, Vocational Education, Educational Equity