Migration, Schooling Choice, and Student Outcomes in China

THE FAST PACE OF economic growth in China is in no small part attributed to the massive movement of migrant workers from rural to urban areas. It is estimated that in 2014 more than 168 million migrants were living and working in China’s cities (NBSC 2015). In China, as elsewhere, migration imparts significant benefits to individuals through the higher returns to work; it can also have strong and transformative impacts on both the origin and destination communities (Taylor, Rozelle, and de Brauw 2003; Du, Park, and Wang 2005; Gibson and McKenzie 2012). The same benefits do not always accrue to other family members, particularly the children of migrants. Researchers internationally have documented the downside of migration on the children of migrants (Spera 2005; Lahaie et al. 2009). In China, the potential impact of the decision of parents to migrate may be especially large, given the country’s unique institutional and policy environment. Because of the hukou household registration system, migrant children are not unconditionally entitled to enroll in urban public schools (Lai et al. 2014). Although policies have fluctuated over time, two-thirds of migrant children inmany of China’s large cities are not eligible to attend public schools (Chen and Feng 2013). When rural parents debate whether to move to the city, they may consider the impact of that decision on family members. Migrant parents who are unable to enroll their children in local urban (or, often distant suburban) public schools have to make one of two choices. In one case their children can attend rural public schools. These children then live with their grandparents (or other relatives/caregivers) and attend the local public school. Students in this situation are called left-behind children (LBC). According to an All-China Women’s Federation report (ACWF 2013) based on the 2010 Population Census, there are more than 61 million LBC (including children living with their father or mother in their hometown) aged 17 years or younger in China. These left-behind children comprise 22 percent of all children in China and 38 percent of rural children.