SIGNATURE WORK
CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION 2023

This paper examines the influence of parental involvement on students’ education performance and their decision to choose a senior high school under the condition of the new educational policy. In 2021, the National Ministry of Education promoted vocational school enrollment by issuing a new policy in which 50% of junior high school graduates should be streamed to vocational high school. In addition, the re-entry and make-up test policies have been abolished, making the examination to high school a one-chance game for everyone. Parents and students have various reactions towards these changes. Compared with urban parents who participate in children’s education in multiple aspects, including financial support, companionship, equal and respectful involvement in children’s daily study and decision-making, and strategic planning on school choices, rural parents’ involvement is relatively simple. Rural parents involved in children’s education by providing financial support, especially parents who do not co-reside with their children. While rural parents rely on student performance and policies in making school decisions, urban parents have more flexibility and choose schools based on their children’s characteristics and needs.