Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent educational policy changes in China, emphasizing stricter regulations aimed at reducing student burdens, addressing campus bullying, and shifting the focus away from exam results as the primary metric for school performance [2][24]. Group 1: Reduction of Student Burden - The new policy document expands the "reduction of burden" measures from 4 to 5 specific regulations, including limiting the frequency of exams and prohibiting paper-and-pencil tests for younger grades [5][12]. - The emphasis on "reduction of burden" has been elevated in the new guidelines, moving it to a higher priority position in the regulatory framework [6][7]. - Previous concerns from parents regarding excessive testing have been acknowledged, with evidence showing a significant decrease in student anxiety when testing frequency is reduced [8][10]. Group 2: Campus Bullying as a Red Line - The responsibility for addressing campus bullying has shifted from individual teachers to the entire school administration, making school leaders the primary accountable parties [14][19]. - The new regulations explicitly state that schools must actively prevent and address bullying incidents, highlighting a zero-tolerance approach [20][22]. - This change reflects a growing national emphasis on ensuring student safety and accountability within school management systems [21][22]. Group 3: Shift in Evaluation Metrics - The ranking based on "升学率" (admission rates) has been deprioritized, indicating a move away from a singular focus on academic performance [24][26]. - The revised guidelines encourage a more holistic evaluation of students, incorporating aspects such as moral development, physical health, and creativity into the assessment criteria [25][26]. - This shift aims to foster a more balanced educational environment, reducing the pressure on students and promoting overall development rather than just academic success [24][26]. Group 4: Additional Regulatory Measures - The new regulations also address long-standing issues related to school uniform procurement, prohibiting forced purchases and profit-making from uniform sales [29][30]. - The implementation of these measures is expected to enhance compliance and protect parental rights in school-related purchases [30][31]. - Overall, the 16 new regulatory measures reflect a targeted approach to reforming the educational landscape in China, focusing on student welfare and equitable resource distribution [31][32].