For example, for compulsory math courses, only the most fundamental knowledge in mathematics is presented. A series of other topics in mathematics are covered in elective mathematics courses, including topics on the history of mathematics, economic mathematics, the application of mathematics on information security, and so on.

Designing of a new student evaluation system started and was near completion in recent years. The goal of this new evaluation system is not only to pay attention to students’ scores in exams but also to focus on students’ potential in all dimensions and help them build their identity and self-confidence.

The curriculum reform also led to some experiments on changing the university entrance exam. However, a majority of these changes have not lasted. Recently, a new Zhongkao system linked to the revamped student assessment approach was started in Shanghai in 2018 (Box 3.3).

# **Box 3.3. Recent reforms in Shanghai on secondary education student assessment and enrollment**

In 2018, Shanghai Education Commission published a series of reforms on secondary education student assessment and enrollment. The reforms comprise the following three main parts:

- **Combine the graduation and entrance exams.** Under the reform, the junior secondary education academic achievement exam is combined with the senior secondary enrollment examination. In addition to the subjects covered by the standard examinations and scoring system at the end of Grade 9 (Chinese, math, physics, chemistry, foreign language, law and ethics, history, and physical education), a small continuous evaluation component also counts toward the overall performance. The performance in geography, science, social study, life science, information technology, arts, labor, and technical skills are graded on a four-level scale— excellent, good, passing, and failing.

- **Junior secondary student comprehensive development evaluation (implementation starts with the Grade 6 cohort in 2018).** The evaluation emphasizes student’s experience in selfinitiated research projects and participation in social and vocational activities. The evaluation will be in the form of an essay, which will form a required part for graduation from junior secondary education.

- **Senior secondary education enrollment system (implementation starts with the Grade 6 cohort in 2018).** Nearly half of the enrollment of the leading high schools will be allocated to junior secondary that have no competitive admissions criteria for incoming primary school graduates to enter.

_Source:_ Shanghai Education Commission (https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/0MbaKjvmEtfkaIlshIiMiw).

In the meantime, there has already been evidence of the positive effect of this curriculum reform on the overall student ability well-being. Yu and Mocan (2018) investigated the causal effect of this high school curriculum reform on students’ educational outcomes in university, as well as on their happiness, mental and physical health, self-confidence, confidence in their academic ability, and attitudes toward learning. Using survey data on students from 15 universities and employing a difference-in-differences strategy, the research found that the curriculum reform had a significant and positive effect on all student outcomes analyzed. Specifically, students who were exposed to the new curriculum in high school have better academic performance in university, are more willing to learn and master the course material, are more engaged in social activities in university, and are more confident in their academic and overall ability. In addition, the students who were 44