ABSTRACT The Social Changes and the Sociology of Education in China Jiang Xinghai (Beijin Normal University) In China, it is said that the changes of research paradigm in the field of sociology of education consists of three periods; -1949, foundation; 1949-1979, stagnation; 1979-, rehabilitation. In this article, the publications in the period of rehabilitation were reviewed related to the social change and the educational reform in China. Firstly, how the political and economic changes affected China's educational system was discussed. Secondly, the changes of research fields and methods of China's sociology of education after 1979 were explained. Thirdly, the two topics in the recent research publications were argued; "inequality of educational opportunity" and "education and social stratification". At last, I argued the problems and futures of China's sociology of education.