xii Acknowledgements
were graduate students from Institute of International and Comparative Education,
Beijing Normal University: Luo Yuan, Zhou Wei-tao and Wang Tian-tian. Other
researchers who participated in the field and in the analysis and writing up were
as follows: Che Jin-heng, Qu Ling; Wang Li and Cui Cong-yong. Many thanks go
to their hard work in the field and data analysis. Beijing-based research assistance
support was also provided by the graduate students of Beijing Normal University:
Zhao Ling-yan, Fu Kun-kun, Yan Li-chun, Tang Yi-peng, Wei Zhi-ying, Ma
Si-teng and Shi He-jia. They actively participated in data analysis and writing
up school and township reports. Interview and questionnaire data analysis, writ-
ing up school and township reports provided solid base for the formation of the
case study chapters and identification of the topical themes. In particular, Wang
Xue-shuang, Wang Xiang-xu, You Zheng and Li Xiao-yun made contribution to
the drafts of Chaps. 5 – 8 on topical themes and issues which involve data collec-
tion, literature review and policy analysis. Our sincere thanks are for the hard and
enthusiastic foundation work of all the students involved.
Special thanks go also to Profs. Wang Yingjie, Qu Heng Chang and Xiang
Xian-ming of Beijing Normal University for their helpful comments on the design
and outcomes. We also greatly appreciate the assistance and advice given by Prof.
Qumu Tianxi and Chang Yongcai in the Nationality University for their insights
into development in Zhaojue.
This research was undertaken by a team of researchers from The Institute of
International and Comparative Education; Beijing Normal University, Beijing, and
the Research Centre for Comparative Education, Beijing Normal University Key
Research Base, Humanities and Social Science, Ministry of Education working
with the Consortium for Research on Educational Access, Transitions and Equity
coordinated from the University of Sussex.
Lu Wang
Professor of Education, Director of Research
Centre of European Education
Beijing Normal University