The Influence of Family Cultural Capital on the Subject Selection Behavior of High School Students Under the New College Entrance Examination in Mainland China: The Mediating Role of Learning Efficacy

Abstract

The “New College Entrance Examination” reform has become the most difficult part of mainland China’ s current education reform. This study investigates the influence of family cultural capital on the subject selection behavior of Chinese high school students with learning efficacy included as an intermediary variable. Altogether 1258 high school students in Chongqing were surveyed. We find that (1) high school students showed active participation in selecting subjects, and there were significant differences in their selection behavior in terms of grade, parents’ educational background, parents’ occupational level, and family per capita monthly income. Furthermore, (2) the effect of learning efficacy on family cultural capital was significant. The positive influences on high school students’ subject selection behavior were also reflected in the intermediary role of learning efficacy. We also found that (3) the influence of family cultural capital on the selection behavior of high school students is affected by individual and family background variables. Based on these results, countermeasures and suggestions are put forward to help high school students choose courses reasonably.