When viewing these two people, how would you categorize them? The first lives in a trailer, the second in a million dollar home. Which one would we perceive to be the most successful? We live a in a society where spiritual success is not an issue, possessions rank far above bodily success. .
Take the theory that a written exam is a true overview of one's ability. In England when students are eleven years old they undertake the Eleven Plus. An exam that will determine which secondary school (High school) they will attend. Location of the student's home has little or no bearing on which school the student will attend. Once the exam has been taken and the scores calculated then the decision is made. If the score is high, then the student is allowed to attend one of the more progressive schools, one with a higher budget for educational spending, better teachers and a superior level of student achievement. If a low score is achieved then the results can be disastrous. The student will be given a choice of low performing schools in areas of high unemployment and lower class homes. .
During the first two years in these lower ranked schools, higher level learning is never achieved. For those students with apparent low ability, math classes are not offered. Instead they are offered driving lessons, due to the theory that these low scoring students could never be successful in higher level classes anyway. These students are taught in an environment where their own success is never possible, that they simply cannot achieve what others can. This mentality is fostered throughout the five years at secondary school. Once the student nears completion, employment options are offered. They range from manual labor to office jobs, never the semi or professional positions. Further education or College is also never an option; most students never even apply because of almost guaranteed failure. This position is even supported by the faculty.