A Study On The Regional Differences Of The Entrance Opportunities For High-quality Higher Education In China

Since the “12th Five-Year Plan”,China's higher education reform and development has made remarkable achievements,and the equality of higher education has also made important progress,but inequality still exists.At present,the public's demand for quality higher education is growing,and the focus of all sectors of society shifts to the acquisition of high-level,high-quality higher education opportunities.China's higher education has entered a new stage,and this stage focuses on improving quality,optimizing structure and promoting equality.Therefore,it is full of theoretical and practical significance to study the regional differences in the opportunities for high-quality higher education.This paper focuses on the regional differences of high-quality higher education entrance opportunities.Using literature research method,statistical analysis method,comparative research method and text analysis method to analyze the enrollment plans of 39 “985 project” universities in China from 2013 to 2018.Constructing an admission index per 10,000 people,a relative entrance index,a relative entrance opportunity Gini coefficient and a regional disparity index,describing the current situation and trends of regional differences in high-quality higher education entrance opportunities in China,summarizing its typical characteristics,analyzing its causes,and combining national policies to puts forward relevant suggestions.The analysis of the enrollment plans of 39 “985 project” universities in China shows that the current situation of regional differences in high-quality higher education entrance opportunities in China is as follows:(1)the regional distribution of high-quality higher education entrance opportunities presents a “pyramid” shape,which is generally balanced,but there are obvious differences among different provinces.(2)the entrance opportunities of eastern regions are large,while those of central and western regions are small.(3)“985 project” universities prefers to enroll students in the local and surrounding areas.(4)“985 project” universities enrollment plan has the characteristics of mutual benefit and win-win.The trends of regional differences in high-quality higher education entrance opportunities in China are as follows:(1)the regional differences in high-quality higher education entrance opportunities are obvious and show an expanding trend.(2)the differences within the eastern region are increasing,and the gap with the national average is also increase.(3)the difference in the central region is narrowed,showing the trend of central rise.(4)the difference in the western region is increasing,showing a polarization trend.(5)High-quality higher education presents the “Matthew Effect”.Generally speaking,the regional differences in high-quality higher education entrance opportunities in China are not significant,but the differences among provinces are obvious,and different regions show different trends,showing the trend of more entrance opportunities in advantageous areas and less entrance opportunities in disadvantaged areas,which is very harmful to the balanced development of higher education in China.The reasons for the regional differences in high-quality higher education entrance opportunities are as follows:(1)the state has issued a series of policy documents to support the development of higher education in the central and western regions,and clearly stipulates that “985 project” universities should support these regions when formulating enrollment plans.This has led to a trend of rise in the central and western regions.(2)the distribution of high-quality higher education resources in China is unequal.the high-quality higher education resources in the eastern region are rich,and the high-quality higher education in the central and western regions is weak,resulting in significant differences in access opportunities in different provinces.(3)the unbalanced economic development and the unbalanced development of basic education affect the allocation of enrollment quotas in various provinces,and further affect the equity of entrance opportunities in higher education stage.(4)the enrollment plan of university is inclined to the area where the school is located.Under the model of joint construction and apportionment of funds by the provinces,the dependence of universities on local finances has led to their tendency to localization,and the historical continuity of enrollment plans will also solidify the tendency of localization.To solve the regional differences in high-quality higher education entrance opportunities,the suggestions in this paper are as follows:(1)the government should strengthen macro-control and establish a supervision mechanism.Work closely with local governments to mobilize the enthusiasm of local governments.At the same time,we should improve the autonomy of universities and the utilization efficiency of limited resources.(2)Comprehensively analyze the entrance opportunities of various provinces,provide targeted policy support,and promote the comprehensive and coordinated development of China's higher education.(3)the universities in central and western region should grasp the policy opportunities,adhere to the quality-centered connotative development,improve the quality level,and alleviate the regional differences in high-quality higher education entrance opportunities.(4)Promote the coordinated development of regional economy,increase investment in education funds in economically backward areas,and promote educational equity.(5)High-quality universities should optimize the allocation of enrollment plans,weaken the tendency of localization and reduce regional differences in entrance opportunities.