The Class Standard Ideology

As imperfect humans we are constantly in search for perfection. Our sinful nature takes perfect solutions and twist them into must-have goals. We see a solution and as a result of our need for it we push and pull and do everything we can to achieve it regardless of we must destroy or minimize to get there. Ideologies control our society. Ideals are what we as imperfect humans are constantly on the hunt for. Our educational system wants for all its students to be at the same academic level. It wants for students to be educated. When a possible option is proposed for students to all be at the same level it is reached for and forcefully attained. Schools place a list of standards on every grade that determines the effectiveness of the student and the teacher. Those standard become the end goal of the entire class therefore taking the title of ideology.

I have spent the last few weeks with a great group of fellow students working through the ideas represented in Hope in Troubled Times. This interesting book does well to paint a clear picture of what an ideology looks like. It uses parallels such as communism or Easter Island. Along with its rather dark take on ideology it ties hope in as a factor. It brings about new and interesting ways that one can help 

to instill hope in trouble times.

Our educational system is one of the many things affected by ideologies. Human's need a solution. From the beginning of time we've spent our time searching for God. Our sin has left a void within us; a void that is intended for God to fill. However, God doesn't offer quick fixes. He comes in slow movement. He offers solutions that take work and time and shaping; that take faith. He doesn't always sweep in and save the day. Sometimes he steps through the storm to stand beside us rather than stop the storm. His purpose is to teach us not just fix us. He wants us to learn to trust him. He wants us to learn from our problems not just fix them. But ideologies offer so much more. They offer a sparkling solution on a silver plate. When put in comparison to God and his solution, the ideology looks like the better choice. The quick fix for all of our solutions is going to bring about the end of suffering, the end of poverty, the end of terrorism. Let's take a step back and gather together on page 34 of Hope in Troubled Times. In regards to the very essence of an ideology it says, “Ideology in it's original, classical sense involves a conscious, deliberate departure from the ways of loving service of God and neighbor.” We know God is an option. The Bible screams out to us that God is the answer. He gives and takes away. He is gracious and merciful and time and time again he restored the Isrealites; his people. Yet, we choose the ideology because it's so pretty and it took God forty years to bring his people to the promise; we can't wait forty years to end suffering. When the authors say that choosing an ideology is a “deliberate departure from the ways of loving God and neighbor it goes back to definition of an ideology. Turn back to page 32 when the authors give a straight definition saying that, “[Ideology is an] entire set of conceptions and beliefs subscribed to by a specific group of people.” As addressed already, it's an ideal idea created as a solution. There doesn't seem to be anything negative about an idea to help solve an issue. He, then, says that ideologies consist of three things: an “absolutized” end goal, a reshaping of society to make the ideology work, and finding all the possible ways that the ideology can be met. In a sense, ideology is taking the place of God and filling the void intended for Him. An ideology becomes all that matters.

 In schools, grades and averages determine The school's and the teacher's worth. If the students aren't up to par then they aren't good enough. Teachers are stressed to make sure each students meets each standard for their grade. For example, one of the first grade standards for the state of Illinois is students must “use frequently occurring adjectives.” When first graders graduate to second grade they must use frequently occurring adjectives. Teachers must make sure those standards are met. How is it that this way of teaching came about? Some students can't keep up like others. If a lesson is taught once and a student doesn't get it then it's the teachers job to make sure that before they move on that student gets it. It hasn't always been like that, teachers would teach a lesson and if a student didn't understand the teacher would move on. It's a great idea to go back and help students and make sure each one is keeping up with their class. Our educational system wants all of our students to understand and apply the material they're learning in class. But in the process, the teachers are stressed out by the students that are behind, and the students are stressed out by tests and grade averages. The fun in learning has been removed and replaced it with endless tests and standards. School isn't a place to gain knowledge when children are bombarded by standards. It becomes a place where kids are reminded of what they can't do. It becomes an ideology. It becomes the number one priority in the classroom and teachers do everything they can do achieve it even if that means risking the happiness of their students.