Peking University professor: How to approach the reform of the college entrance examination responsibly

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Treat the college entrance examination reform kindly; first, one must understand the benefits of such reform. 　　The fundamental purpose of the reform of the college entrance examination is to liberate students from the constraints of a unified exam and a score-oriented approach, and to promote educational reform as well as the diversified development of students through a selective, diverse, and comprehensive assessment system. Zhejiang’s college entrance examination reform plan fully reflects the original intent behind the reforms, and it has many highlights; for example, students can choose three subjects out of seven instead of three out of six” ； Foreign languages and elective subjects “allow two attempts to register”” ； Expand the “trinity” admission system ； Admit students based on their major” ； Piloting \"multiple applications per application category\" in higher vocational colleges, and so on. Over the two years since the implementation of these reform trials, students and parents have been experiencing the benefits of these changes firsthand: the option to choose three out of seven subjects for examination has allowed 80% of students to enjoy the freedom from being constrained by traditional fixed combinations of science and humanities subjects ； For \"skilled\" candidates, they can be exempted from the burden of the college entrance examination and take part in the early admission process to higher vocational colleges based solely on their results in academic proficiency tests or vocational skill assessments ； For students from vocational high schools and technical schools, they can see hope for further education through the separate entrance examinations held by higher vocational colleges ； For a large number of students with special talents, they can fully showcase their abilities in the independent admissions processes and the \"triple integration\" admission system at universities. It can be said that the benefits of the reforms to the college entrance examination have shifted from focusing on top-tier talents to covering all types of talents, and the benefits of these reforms have reached all students – which is truly a wonderful thing! 　　Treating the reform of the college entrance examination well is, in fact, treating students well. 　　To treat students well means to believe in their autonomy, giving them more choices in their studies and creating conditions to fulfill those choices, rather than restricting their choice of subjects for the sake of ease in school management. By treating students well, we can help them as much as possible to choose subjects in high school that they are good at, and encourage and assist them in selecting the universities and majors they truly enjoy through the college entrance examination, rather than focusing solely on enrollment rates and the proportion of students attending prestigious schools. Treating students well means truly improving their overall quality and laying a solid foundation for their long-term development, rather than focusing solely on exam scores at the expense of nurturing their individual strengths and talents. To treat students well, one needs a heart full of love – to love them as one’s own children – rather than judging all students based on a single standard. By treating students well, one will inevitably recognize and appreciate the benefits of the reforms in the college entrance examination, and will support these reforms from a positive perspective, rather than focusing solely on finding loopholes in the policies in order to take advantage of them. 　　If we treat the college entrance examination reform kindly, we should also treat those who advocate for it kindly. 　　China’s college entrance examination system needs to undergo major reforms. However, reform means risks and dedication. Reform requires pioneers, and Zhejiang and Shanghai are the brave ones willing to take the first steps. After the reforms, the workload of Zhejiang’s education authorities and education examination boards increased several times over, while their staffing and funding hardly increased at all. Due to the complexity and difficulty of the reforms, the pressure they face is beyond what ordinary people can comprehend. Those reformers who made such great contributions and sacrifices should not be subject to malicious speculation or slander; instead, they deserve sincere kindness and gratitude. After learning about the reform plans that are currently under discussion in some other provinces and cities but have not yet been made public, I feel even greater admiration for Zhejiang’s reforms to the college entrance examination. On this matter, the people of Zhejiang should have a clear understanding; they should be proud to have such reformers and feel grateful toward them. 　　To treat the reforms in the college entrance examination well, one must be good at distinguishing between different opinions. 　　Over the past two years since the pilot reform of the college entrance examination in Zhejiang, it has indeed had a significant impact. Where there is reform, there are inevitably disruptions; some people will benefit while others will suffer. Therefore, there will be different opinions regarding the reform, and some of the opposing voices may even intensify as the reform progresses. To listen to different opinions requires wisdom and judgment, as well as considering the fundamental purpose of reform and the overall situation of education. The ultimate goal of the college entrance examination reform, as well as educational reform, is the development of students. Therefore, when assessing the successes and failures of reforms, one should first listen to the opinions of students and parents, followed by those of university and high school teachers, and then those of the administrative authorities. Reform should be student-centered; no matter how great the difficulties or losses faced by management departments and schools at all levels during the reform process, they must give priority to the development of students. It is gratifying that, in conversations with students and parents, the author hardly heard anyone oppose the reform of the college entrance examination. This is the highest praise from students and parents for the college entrance examination reform. The support of students and parents is the true driving force behind reform, as well as the key to its success! We should be grateful for the concerns and suggestions of some teachers and students, while the opposition from those who lose **interests as a result of the reforms should be seen as a praise for those reforms. 　　Treat the college entrance examination reform kindly – give the reform some time. 　　Reforming the college entrance examination is like moving house: the old house is small and old, while the new one is clearly larger and better, but there are always some costs associated with the move, and it involves a process of moving from chaos to gradual order. The college entrance examination reform in Zhejiang also involves a transition from the old to the new. Teachers, students, parents, and even education administrators all need time to become aware of, understand, and adapt to the new policies. In the first year of the reform, faced with various new phenomena, difficulties, and problems, it is normal for people to feel anxious; this should be regarded as a normal reaction. Practice has shown that this anxiety level has already decreased significantly among high school students in the class of 2015. During the transition of policies, certain temporary phenomena may also arise. For example, during the first elective subject exam last October, a situation similar to \"Tian Ji’s horse racing strategy\" might have occurred on a small scale. As the number of students taking these elective subjects increased, there were no such discussions during the second exam in April this year; competition will be more fierce in the future, and such phenomena will no longer be possible. This will inevitably lead to the curriculum in all high schools returning to normal, and for some students, they will only have to take the elective subject exams once. As candidates gain a better understanding of independent admissions and the \"triple integration\" admission system, there will be no tendency to focus solely on language, mathematics, and English in the second half of their senior year. On the contrary, their strong subjects will receive even more emphasis. Reforms will be implemented gradually. To treat reform kindly requires patience, to \"wait patiently for the flowers to bloom\". 　　To treat the college entrance examination reform kindly, one should provide comprehensive support for it. 　　The success of any reform depends on accompanying reforms and support. Reforms to the college entrance examination have far-reaching implications, involving changes in middle schools’ educational philosophies, teaching staff, educational management, research and support services, facilities, and information technology. Examination authorities need to make thorough preparations in areas such as question bank development, exam administration, examination room setup, coordination of exam times, and preparation of marking teams. Universities, on their part, must cooperate closely in terms of enrollment reforms and talent cultivation. Moreover, such reforms require support in various aspects, including policies, funding, and staffing. The author has previously written calling for \"capacity building to go hand in hand with college entrance examination reforms.\" This process of capacity building has not been completed; in fact, due to a lack of attention, it can be said that it has not even truly begun. The reform of the college entrance examination benefits millions of students and families, and its success also requires the full support of countless people from all walks of life. To treat the college entrance examination reform kindly requires a sense of responsibility; it demands that both you and I fulfill our duties regarding this reform.