Home environment and educational transitions on the path to college in rural northwest China

In China, the National College Entrance Examination (gaokao) is an important gateway to future life outcomes. In this paper, we analyze longitudinal survey data from two waves (2004 and 2009) of the Gansu Survey of Children and Families to examine the home environment factors that predict successful transitions on the path to participation in the college entrance examination among rural youth in Gansu province. Our results show that parents play a crucial role in determining their children's life chances through their shaping of a nurturing home learning environment.