The Role of China’s Teaching Research System in Promoting Evidence-based Reform in Education - A Case Study of Jiangsu Province

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Bulrr

Teaching research system is described as a distinctive professional community in China that drives evidence-based education reform. Using Jiangsu Province’s 15-year exploration as a case study, the paper explains how evidence-based reform has been pursued and highlights the specific ways teaching research institutions support reform through research findings, feedback, and cooperation. Despite its local uniqueness, Jiangsu’s experience is presented as potentially transferable to other education systems worldwide.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Evidence-based reform and the need for rational education decision-making

Jiangsu’s evidence-based reform and the role of teaching research

China Teaching Research System

Characteristics of China’s basic education and its challenges

The Role of China’s Teaching Research System in Promoting Evidence-based Reform in Education: A Case Study of Jiangsu Province Shike Zhou Teaching and Research Office of Elementary and Middle Schools in Jiangsu Province, Nanjing 210013, China | Abstract. Teaching research system is a unique professional community of education and teaching research in China. It is an important driving and leading force in promoting evidence-based reform in education in China. Using fifteen-year exploration of evidence-based reform in education in Jiangsu Province as a case, this paper presents the ways and characteristics of evidence-based reform in education in China, with a focused analysis of the role of teaching research system in the reform. Despite its uniqueness, China’s evidence-based reform in education can still contribute experience to its world counterpart.
Best Evidence in Chinese Education 2021; 9(2):1227-1241.
Doi: 10.15354/bece.21.or067. | | --- | | How to Cite: Zhou, S. (2021). The role ofChina’s teaching research system in promoting evidence-based reform in education: A case study of Jiangsu province.
Best Evidence in Chinese Education, 9(2):1227-1241. | Keywords: Teaching research System, Evidence-based Reform in Education, China Experience Correspondence to: Shike Zhou, Teaching and Research Office of Elementary and Middle Schools in Jiangsu Province, Jiangsu 210013, [China. E-mail:](China. E-mail: jyszsk@163.com)[ j](China. E-mail: jyszsk@163.com)[yszsk@163.com](China. E-mail: jyszsk@163.com) Conflict of Interests: None. © 2021 Insights Publisher. All rights reserved. Creative Commons Non Commercial CC BY-NC: This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License ([http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/](http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed by the Insights Publisher. Introduction “THE 4th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People’s Republic of China and the Outline of Long-term Objectives for 2035” emphasizes the orientation and objectives for the policy “building a high-quality education system”. Promoting education reform through assessment mechanisms and building a high-quality education system are one of the important paths to drive highquality development during the 14th Five Year Plan period. However, in the practical reform, there are still some problems, such as backward assessment concepts, unscientific assessment tools, inaccurate analysis and diagnosis, and unremarkable effects. To prevent subjective or even emotional judgements and stimulate sound and reasonable educational reform is essential in improving the quality of education and teaching and in building a powerful education system. In fact, how to make educational decision-making more rational and effective has not only been an issue faced by China, but also by the whole world. Amidst this situation, the evidence-based reform came into being in the 1980s, providing a possible way to address this issue. Being “evidence-based” refers to the concept that any decision, opinion, or conclusion must be based on solid evidence drawn from scientific research. The evidence-based reform was meant to reduce the randomness in educational development, ensure that educational reform complies with scientific logic, and achieves the goal of educational development in a more efficient and steady way. Up till now, the evidence-based reform, as an important driver in global educational reform and development, has made remarkable achievements (Slavin & Cheung, 2019; Slavin et al., 2021) . In this context, the importance of acquisition and use of scientific evidence has been increasing in China’s educational reform and development. Jiangsu, as a province with a high level of socio-econ

FAQs

What is the purpose of evidence-based reform in education mentioned in the paper?

Evidence-based reform is intended to make educational decisions rely on solid scientific evidence, reduce randomness, and ensure reform follows scientific logic for efficient and steady development.

Why is Jiangsu Province used as a case study?

Jiangsu is highlighted as a province with high socio-economic and educational development that has pursued evidence-based reform since its survey work on student academic quality began in 2006.

How does the teaching research system contribute to evidence-based education reform in Jiangsu?

Teaching research institutions at all levels search for effective education and teaching laws, summarize and promote typical experience through research feedback, and support evidence-based reform projects via multi-party cooperation.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Bulrr