Impact of Gaokao on education at the societal level:Evidence from newspaper data

过去三十年间,考试影响已经被认为是考试效度验证中后果方面的重要证据,在语言测评领域引起了越来越多的关注。此方面现有研究多关注于测试对课堂内教学的影响(通常称之为"反拨效应"),而对测试在课堂之外的个体、政策及实践等社会层面的影响研究甚少。为此,本文研究了2011年至2017年间两种国家级报纸的数据,以此分析高考对于中国教育社会层面的影响。文献分析的结果显示了高考在诸多方面的巨大影响,包括考试内容、施考、利益相关方承受的压力、学校教学实践、教育政策等方面,特别是举国瞩目的现行高考改革。我们的分析显示考试内容设计需更多关注农村考生群体,考试需系统地提供更具包容性的施考程序,以及高考改革的成功需有课程及教法的配套改革支持。

Over the past three decades,test impact has been one source of consequential evidence for test validation.Subsequently,attention to test impact in language assessment research has been steadily growing.Existing studies,however,tended to focus on the influences of testing on teaching and learning within the classroom(often termed as“washback”),whereas the influences of testing on individuals,policies,and practices beyond the classroom at the societal level have been under-researched.To address this gap,this study used articles from two Chinese national newspapers,Xinhua and China Daily,between 2011 and 2017 to examine Gaokao s impact on education in China at the societal level.This document analysis provided a nuanced understanding of Gaokao s impact in a number of ways,including test content,test administration,high stress on stakeholders,school practices,and education policies and practices.A highlight of such impact is the current Gaokao reform that attracted nationwide attention.Our analysis identified the needs for test content design treating urban and rural students equitably,more systematic inclusive assessment practices,and corresponding reform in curriculum and instruction to support Gaokao reform.