Local adaptation of central policies: the policymaking and implementation of compulsory education for migrant children in China

Abstract

This article looks at the central and local governments’ policymaking and implementation of compulsory education for migrant children in China. Three distinct models of policy implementation were identified through a case study approach. They indicated a selective adaptation of central policy objective and principles by the local governments and revealed diverse conditions of compulsory education for migrant children across the nation. In spite of substantial improvement over the years, migrant children still could not receive equitable compulsory education as urban children, due to three system barriers in general and local policy differences in particular.