What are the Determinants Influencing Equity in Art Education under Compulsory Education in China?

Authors

  • Yushu Li

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/8685e644

Keywords:

Education Equity, Art Education, Compulsory Education

Abstract

Educational equity means that students of diverse regional, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds have equal access to adequate educational resources and opportunities. Art education in China serves as a crucial medium for cultural transmission and fosters students' holistic development. However, at the compulsory school level, its accessibility and fairness are influenced by multiple factors. Based on an extensive literature review, this study identifies three key determinants: the urban-rural divide, socioeconomic factors, and policy and structural constraints. In terms of educational resources, urban schools have significantly more advantages over rural schools. Additionally, family income and cultural capital shape students’ access to art education, often favoring those from higher socio-economic backgrounds. At the policy level, the prioritization of exam-oriented education often marginalizes art education, reducing instructional time and funding allocation. While certain policies have expanded access to education, they have not effectively improved the quality and equity of art education in China.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] Li, J. and Xue, E. (2022). Unpacking the Policies, Historical Stages, and Themes of the Education Equality for Educational Sustainable Development: Evidence from China. Sustainability, 14(17), pp.10522-.

[2] Russo, C.J. and Ma, L. (2024). A comparative analysis of systems of education law. Singapore: Springer.

[3] Lin, J.C. (2024). The Quest for Educational Equity in Schools in Mainland China & Hong Kong. Daedalus (Cambridge, Mass.), 153(4), pp.234–251.

[4] Kraehe, A.M. (2017). Arts Equity: A Praxis-Oriented Tale. Studies in art education, 58(4), pp.267–278.

[5] Xue, E. and Li, J. (2021). Educational equity policy in China : concept and practice. Singapore: Springer

[6] Wang, J. and Li, B. (2018). Supplementary education, student development and education equity: Evidence from primary schools in Beijing, China. Education economics, 26(5/6), pp.459–487.

[7] Holochwost, S.J., Wolf, D.P. and Brown, E.D. (2024). Addressing inequity in arts education: the potential of a systems perspective. Arts education policy review, pp.1–17.

[8] Kraehe, A.M. and Acuff, J.B. (2013). Theoretical Considerations for Art Education Research with and about ‘Underserved Populations’. Studies in art education, 54(4), pp.294–309.

[9] Wen, H., Yang, J. and Zhao, N. (2022). Toward educational equity in China: The relationships between language performance and socioeconomic status at the individual, school, and district levels. Asian journal of social psychology, 25(1), pp.75–87.

[10] Li, Z. et al. eds. (2016). Educational development in Western China : towards quality and equity. Rotterdam ; Sense Publishers.

[11] Zhang, G., Canestrari, A.S. and Marlowe, B.A. (2018). Less Stress and More Well‐Rounded Development. In The Wiley International Handbook of Educational Foundations. Hoboken, NJ, USA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc, pp. 285–300.

[12] Gong, W. and Li, J. (2024) 'Analysis of the advantages of online platforms in rural art education', Education Reform and Development, 6(4), pp. 190-196.

[13] Liu, Z. et al. (2020). Exploring Experience Activity Potential for Art Therapy to High School Students in International School, Guangzhou, China. In Design, User Experience, and Usability. Case Studies in Public and Personal Interactive Systems. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing AG, pp. 278–293.

[14] Hallinger, P. and Liu, S. (2016). Leadership and teacher learning in urban and rural schools in China: Meeting the dual challenges of equity and effectiveness. International journal of educational development, 51, pp.163–173.

[15] Herman, J. (2020). An ethics of participation: Spatial research with young children in urban spaces. The Review of education/pedagogy/cultural studies, 42(3), pp.240–256.

[16] Liu, Z. (2023). A Study of the Barriers Faced by Students from Low Socio-economic Status Backgrounds in Pursuing Higher Education in China. The education review, USA, 7(6), pp.837–840.

[17] Yuan, W. et al. (2021). Family Socioeconomic Status and Chinese Adolescents’ Academic Achievement in the Arts: The Mediating Role of Family Arts Resources and the Moderating Role of Family Arts Atmosphere. Frontiers in psychology, 12, pp.751135–751135.

[18] Ye, W. (2018). Socioeconomic Status and Out-of-School Citizenship Education in China’s Shanghai. Education and urban society, 50(7), pp.641–669.

[19] Wei, Y. and Broome, J.L. (2022). Same Standards, Different Classes: A Comparative Case Study of Two Art Classes Within Communities of Contrasting Socioeconomic Status. Studies in art education, 63(1), pp.55–68.

[20] Liang, Y. (2019). Cross-Culture Research: Comparison Between Chinese and American Art Education, Brigham Young University.

[21] Li, M. et al. (2023). The Role of Influencing Factors on Brand Equity and Firm Performance with Innovation Culture as a Moderator: A Study on Art Education Firms in China. Sustainability, 15(1), pp.519-.

[22] Irwin, M.R. (2018). Arts Shoved Aside: Changing Art Practices in Primary Schools since the Introduction of National Standards. The international journal of art & design education, 37(1), pp.18–28.

[23] Leong, S. (2010). Creativity and assessment in Chinese arts education: Perspectives of Hong Kong students. Research studies in music education, 32(1), pp.75–92.

[24] Li, H. ed. (2024). The frontier of education reform and development in China : articles from educational research (2021-2022). Singapore: Springer.

[25] Li, J. & Wu, H. (2023) 'Urban-rural disparities influence educational equity in China', in 2023 9th International Conference on Humanities and Social Science Research (ICHSSR 2023). Atlantis Press, pp. 148–154.

Downloads

Published

14 April 2025

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Li, Y. (2025). What are the Determinants Influencing Equity in Art Education under Compulsory Education in China?. International Journal of Education and Humanities, 19(1), 174-177. https://doi.org/10.54097/8685e644