Exploring the learning experiences of migrant students in urban China

Due to globalization and market economy influences, substantive changes have occurred in Chinese education, producing inequalities between migrant and urban students. This study investigates the schooling experiences of migrant students in urban China, exploring factors that contribute to their success on the Gaokao (college entrance) examination and university admission. The study also assesses how state policies and institutional barriers hinder migrant students from gaining equal access to education. Based upon 25 interviews with migrant students, their parents, urban students, their parents, and urban public school teachers in Chengdu, the study concludes that migrants have lower academic achievement and poorer psychological outcomes than urban students. The hukou (residence permit) system prevents large numbers of migrant students from entering urban public schools. Moreover, institutional, economic, and social barriers hamper migrant student success. Migrant students with higher socioeconomic backgrounds have better chances of enrolling in urban public schools and getting into universities. Even migrant students at the poorest performing urban public schools have higher educational and psychological performance than those at community-based migrant schools. The study concludes with suggestions for improvement in migrant students' learning experiences in urban China.