The association between parents’ and children’s schooling determines how schooling and socioeconomic inequality evolve over time. In China, schooling has become more equal over time. Using Chinese survey data we find that the estimated effects of fathers’ and mothers’ schooling on their children’s schooling have fallen significantly over time, with large differences across cohorts and gender. Our estimates suggest that the decline in the marginal effect of parents’ schooling on child schooling has accounted for roughly one-half of the reduction in schooling inequality in China over the last half century. •Schooling became significantly more equal in China over the past half century.•The association between parents’ and children’s schooling has weakened over time.•Fathers’ and mothers’ schooling are complements in affecting children’s schooling.