Perceived double reduction policy, perception of educational involution: Exploring the mediating role of parental educational anxiety and the moderating influence of gender—Insights from a survey conducted in a City in China

Abstract Education policies align with evolving needs and changes in education. Two years ago, the double reduction policy was widely welcomed. But new challenges have emerged now, it is necessary to examine whether it still meets parental expectations, and whether adjustments in details are needed. We investigated parents' perception of policy implementation intensity; and its relationship with parents' perception of educational involution; and parents' educational anxiety, as well as the roles played by gender. Findings highlight parents who perceive a stronger policy implementation intensity experience higher levels of educational anxiety and are more likely to feel educational involution; education anxiety acts as a mediator, while gender plays a moderating role. We highlighted policy's advantages while emphasizing the necessity to avoid policy rigidity and one‐size‐fits‐all. We recommend establishing a flexible, real‐time parental feedback mechanism and promoting continuous monitoring and evaluation. This approach would enable it to meet the changing demands of education.