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Since we last saw the Dynamic Duo, Commissioner Gordon was promoted from Police Commissioner to Education Commissioner of GEA (Gotham Education Agency).  Upon reviewing the state of affairs in education, he quickly concluded that the task at hand was far too large and complex for his offices to handle alone.  He immediately went to the and placed a call for assistance to Batman and Robin who responded promptly. 

 Commissioner Gordon briefs the Caped Crusaders on the problems at hand.

 “Holy schoolhouse, Batman! What’s happened to our educational system?”

 “I don’t know just yet, Robin.  One thing I do know – a proper education for every student is the only protection for democracy and freedom.  We cannot afford to let any students slip through the cracks, much less allow the continuation of massive numbers of students, mostly those students of color, the poor, and those whose first language is not English, to fail to receive the education promised them by our great country!”

“I certainly hope you can figure something out Batman.  This situation appears hopeless,” says Commissioner Gordon.

“A wise Brazilian educator by the name of Paulo Freire once stated, ‘Without hope there is no life.’  We must keep hope, above all, Commissioner.  I am certain that we can find solutions.  We must rush to the Batcave at once, and consult the Batcomputer!  There is no time to lose!”

Sometime later, in the Batcave, Batman and Robin begin to review information provided by the Batcomputer.  First reports include the current state of affairs regarding standardized testing.

 “Holy high-stakes testing, Batman!  How did this standardized testing mania sweep the nation so quickly?”

 “It seems, Robin, that part of the problem lies here with our old nemeses, The Riddler and The Joker.    They have apparently teamed up to form a standardized test publishing company.  I think I smell a trap.  . . .  It is an enormous market, and they are pocketing millions upon millions.  Joker and Riddler are doing it by feeding upon the fears and frenzy of the population who has bought into their media campaign on the need for standardized testing!  Those filthy criminals!!!"  

“Holy hegemony, Batman!  How can people actually think things like that?”

“You're right, old chum, it is perplexing.  I think I smell a trap!  This appears to be a complex problem that extends beyond the high stakes testing movement.  We must immediately enlist all the superheroes in the nation – including the good citizens of Gotham, the educators and even the students themselves!.  Only through a collaborative effort can this problem be resolved properly. 

"We must begin with the most powerful tools at hand – the media.  We must launch a public education campaign and organize our efforts to achieve change.  This means that all superheroes must utilize the Internet, television, filmmaking, radio, journals, billboards and even bumper stickers and t-shirts.  A multiple media campaign is our weapon of counterhegemony.”

Will Batman and Robin be able to accomplish this enormous task?  What other challenges lie ahead for Batman and Robin as they tackle educational reform?  Tune in next time, same Bat-time, same Bat-channel, to learn more about their progress!  Future episodes will include:

Holy test scores, Batman!  -  the battle against standardized-testing mania

Building Community Consensus

Holy creative curriculum, Batman!  -  designing curriculum with popular media culture

and many more to come!