The PBS Ready to Learn
Children's Programming Criteria

Abracadabra meets the high standards established by the PBS Ready to Learn criteria. Here are answers to questions set forth by PBS.
1. What are the educational goals of the proposed series/program? What are the objectives; what will the child be able to do/think or find out after watching the program?

While every episode will focus on a specific theme, the educational goals of Abracadabra are to:

  1. Help children develop skills to cope with and resolve problems and issues commonly experienced by today's kids.
  2. Introduce characters children can identify with and feature these characters working through and resolving issues.
  3. Heighten children's curiosity and desire to explore through the use of magic and science segments, and provide simple examples to do at home.
  4. Enhance children's sensitivity to others through the interaction of a diverse group of characters from all walks of life.
  5. Utilize music and magic to introduce children to the arts.
  6. Provide information in a fun format about good nutrition and safety issues.
  7. Encourage interaction and participation with activities children and their parents or siblings can do at home. This hands-on learning will reinforce the message of the show.

As children watch the program, they will follow through a problem-solving process along with the characters. Through science, magic, nutrition, humor and music, Abracadabra will stimulate children's creative thoughts.

2. Is an educational advisor or educational advisory board involved in the proposal's development? Will the services of an educational advisor/board be engaged in the development process? Do the producers perceive the need for such educational guidance?

A group of eight educational consultants have participated extensively in the development of Abracadabra. The program producers assembled the Quality Evaluation Committee at the onset of the project to ensure the highest quality and greatest educational benefit for the viewers. All subsequent episodes will be developed with the same review process to maintain programming quality and to remain on target with the issues facing children today.

3. Is there an outreach plan for the project with specific information about print and/or online components? How will the proposed outreach materials enhance the educational value of the project? How does the outreach coordinate with the local stations' ongoing activities?

A public relations strategic plan extending into classrooms and communities across the nation will be developed to support the program, heighten awareness, and reinforce positive messages from the shows.

Also, various educational elements of the show can be incorporated into school curriculums. Awareness-building and educational interactive mediums include the Abracadabra web page and a newsletter. The mediums will help highlight important messages from each episode, and will include science experiment instructions, healthy snack information, do-at-home magic tricks, historical facts and information, and Joey's Journal - which will cover the lessons learned.

4. Is there a research plan to test a pilot or sampler for appeal and educational value to the target age? What is the proposed methodology for the research?

Various focus groups with children in the target age group will be conducted, incorporating various demographic and psychographic information in order to ensure a well-balanced sample group. Similar focus groups will be conducted with parents in our attempt to gauge educational appropriateness and effectiveness of the content. We will have children/parents view each episode, noting their reactions to the show. Afterward, we will conduct a focus group asking the subjects specific questions about the show and ideas for improvement.

5. Who are the characters? Is there a healthy ethnic and gender mix and balance between the characters who are the main initiators of the driving dramatic action of the series? Are all the characters fully developed, with strengths and liabilities? Or are the characters simple, one-dimensional good guys, bad guys and token ethnic or gender representations? Is the dialogue fresh and friendly, conversational and believable?

For a description of the characters, go to the Character/Cast section. The characters represent a balance of ethnic backgrounds and gender mix. The characters were developed to represent individuals children can identify with. Though good-natured and kind, the characters have depth and experience the normal problems and fears of everyday living.

6. Are there any adult characters? Are adults portrayed as viable sources for information and support?

There are several adult characters including the primary character Mike who provide guidance and support as the children explore problems and feelings, and resolve issues.

7. Does the project avoid damaging stereotypes of ethnic minorities, age groups, men and women?

Yes. There are both adult and children characters representing a mix of ethnic backgrounds, age and genders in a positive fashion.

8. What is the story line through which the educational messages are taught? Is the story line strong and well developed?

Each episode centers on a specific theme or issue. The specific story line supports this theme and takes the viewer through a problem-solving process to reach a resolution or complement an important health or safety theme.

9. Is the project kid-friendly? Has it a sense of the kid-culture in which it must compete for the attention and loyalty of the target audience? Is it stylish? Has it a healthy sense of humor and energy?

With magic an underlying theme, Abracadabra offers a product that is unlike any current program. The cast of kids and original contemporary music gives the program an energy that kids love. Humor and physical comedy is used throughout this fast-paced program, and kids enjoy the jokes and slapstick-style antics.

10. Is there a musical component? Who is the musical director? What is the musical style? Is it engaging? Original? Effectively used in the overall design of the program?

Jeff Kerscher, musical director, has created all original musical scores that appeal to today's kids. With upbeat tempos and easy-to-learn lyrics, the music is an integral part of what makes Abracadabra a special show. The original songs were developed to support the themes and lessons in each program. The Abracadabra Kids together with Jean Holden and Jeff Kerscher perform each song. Often, exciting choreography accompanies the songs to enhance the appeal to youthful viewers.
11. How do the story line, dramatic intent and educational goals of the project complement the current schedule of children's programming on PBS? What does the project add to the mix? What new educational goals does the project address? How do these goals enhance the objectives of PBS programming and the Ready to Learn Service?

Abracadabra is a natural fit with the outstanding public broadcasting programming schedule. Offering the creative concept of magic, coupled with a fresh cast of characters, the program will appeal to public broadcasting viewers, and attract new viewers with its inventive premise, original music, and marketing outreach including this web site and collateral educational materials. Ultimately, our goal is to get Abracadabra on-line in classrooms and provide innovative projects for teachers enhancing viewer interest and public broadcasting exposure.

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