From startup to 4 demos a week in 6 months

We started by researching bullying in young children—what was known in terms of cause and effect. Our research findings led us to see bullying as one of the most underlying causes of chronic absenteeism—a critical challenge in the public school systems, known to be the leading cause for dropping out of high school.

We found a compelling and clear connection between bullying in early elementary school and chronic absenteeism throughout a child’s school life. The research also clearly indicated that chronic absenteeism was the #1 predictor of dropping out of high school, and the resulting increase in incarceration rates, a lifetime of poverty.

In addition to the huge negative impact on the students, truancy caused k-12 schools to lose funding. In California alone, public k-12 schools lost over $1 billion each year due to truancy.

This led to a very targeted campaign at the District and County level tying absenteeism not only with low-grade performance, but a lifetime of poverty for the students, and loss of funds for schools. We released our research finding in a white paper, an animated video, several blogs, and a series of compelling emails targeting senior District and County Board Members and staff.