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Title:: Policy Changes in Equity of Opportunities for Admission to Higher Education in China: An Analysis Based on Punctuated Equilibrium Theory

Keywords:: educational equity; opportunity for admission to higher education; punctuated equilibrium theory; policy changes

Abstract:: Utilizing the punctuated equilibrium theory, this study examines the evolution of policies governing equity in higher education admission opportunities in China. The analysis reveals three distinct phases in the policy trajectory: “reshaping the orientation of equity”, “prioritizing efficiency while considering equity”, and “giving equal weight to both ‘quality’ and ‘quantity’”. The evolutionary process is characterized by a dynamic interplay between long-term equilibrium and short-term punctuations. Key drivers of policy change include shifts in societal contradictions, significant events, and evolving policy paradigms that challenge monopolies and prompt a reevaluation of policies. The interplay between policy images and venues gives rise to two mechanisms guiding policy changes: the negative feedback mechanism, fostering gradual policy equilibrium, and the positive feedback mechanism, propelling punctuated policy innovation. Looking ahead, China must leverage the systemic impact of a composite policy paradigm. This involves aligning policy images with a dual focus on public and individual benefits, ensuring that policy concepts embrace multiplicity, and establishing policy venues that uphold openness, inclusivity, and collaborative interactions among stakeholders.