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Pilot Program Charter

Structured planning, SMART goals, and stakeholder alignment for the JourneyLand K–8 character education pilot.

Program planning materials — roadmap board, clipboard checklist, calendar, and sticky notes.
Duration 10-day instructional sequence
Session length 90 minutes per session
Grant $5,000 NEA Foundation
Partner Knowledge Quest (NPO)

Project Description

JourneyLand is a K–8 Character Education Program (CEP) designed to address student apathy and support social-emotional development through a structured, story-based instructional model. The curriculum integrates literacy and character education using an original narrative as anchor text — engaging virtues such as courage, perseverance, motivation, and integrity through reading and application.

The project is supported by a $5,000 Student Success Grant from the National Education Association (NEA). The JLCEP pilot is implemented through Knowledge Quest (NPO), where approval was granted to conduct the pilot.

Purpose: evaluate program effectiveness, collect feedback and data on student engagement and outcomes, and identify areas for improvement — while modeling the program for instructors to facilitate independently in the future.

10-day instructional sequence with 90-minute lesson/reflection sessions per day. Final scheduling coordinated with Knowledge Quest leadership.

Instruction centers on a narrative featuring Courage the eagle — overcoming doubt while navigating challenges throughout JourneyLand. Sessions include teacher-led reading, partner reading, guided discussions, comprehension checks, vocabulary development, and structured reflection.

In Scope

  • Implementation of the JLCEP pilot at Knowledge Quest
  • Delivery of 10-day instructional sequence with 90-minute sessions
  • Narrative-based instruction, discussion, and reflection activities
  • Instructional workbooks and character CARDS (Character Attribute Recognition and Development System)
  • Data collection via pre/post assessments, observations, and reflections

Out of Scope

  • Formal instructor training and professional development
  • District-wide implementation beyond the pilot
  • Technology or application development
  • Parent program expansion
  • Merchandise and brand development
SMART Goals

Understanding · Application · Connection

Understanding

By end of 10-day pilot, 90% of students demonstrate understanding of targeted character attributes (courage, perseverance, integrity) by accurately identifying and defining each attribute, discussing examples and non-examples, and explaining good character — measured via JourneyLand Learner Identity Snapshot, vocabulary tasks, and guided discussions.

Application

90% demonstrate ability to apply character understanding by identifying attributes in story-based and real-life scenarios, distinguishing positive attributes from opposing behaviors, and explaining how attributes influence decisions — measured via scenario activities, discussions, and response tasks.

Connection

90% demonstrate ability to connect character attributes to personal lives by reflecting on behaviors, identifying growth areas, and explaining how traits support success — measured via written reflections, verbal discussions, and structured reflection activities.

Budget — $5,000 NEA Foundation Grant

Materials and Printing $2,000 Student workbooks, instructional materials, storybooks
Illustration Services $1,500 JourneyLand character and visual materials
ISBN and Publishing Costs $300 Registration and publishing for JourneyLand text
Consulting and Subject Matter Expertise $800 Character education consultation; SEL alignment
Classroom Supplies $400 Notebooks, writing tools, daily participation materials

JL CEO (R.J. Morgan) responsible for acquiring supplementary materials.

Major Deliverables

  • Implementation of the 10-day instructional program
  • Student manuscripts
  • Student workbooks
  • Student CARDS deck
  • Student materials
  • Structured lesson plans and instructional sequence
  • Pre- and post-assessment tools
  • Student reflection artifacts
  • Final data summary report evaluating pilot outcomes

Stakeholders & Roles

Knowledge Quest Leadership Project sponsor; approval, oversight, site access
Program Designer and Implementation Lead Development, delivery, data collection, execution
Instructors and Facilitators Classroom management, feedback on efficiency and engagement
Students Primary participants; data through participation and reflection
Future District Leadership Potential stakeholders for adoption based on pilot outcomes

Approval Process

  1. Initial clearance from Knowledge Quest leadership before launch.
  2. Planning phase covers scheduling and student involvement.
  3. Informal check-ins during implementation for consistency and issue resolution.
  4. Final report summarizing data presented to stakeholders after pilot ends.
  5. Final approval based on execution quality, requirement fulfillment, and student outcomes.

Conclusion

The JourneyLand CEP pilot represents a structured approach to integrating character education within a literacy-based instructional model. SMART goals (Understanding, Application, Connection) ensure learning is meaningful and measurable.

  • Project Management Institute. (2017). A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK guide) (6th ed.).
  • Wiley, D. (2018). Project management for instructional designers. EdTech Books.