McKay School of Education > News > School Tipline Takes Second in Business Plan Competition
School Tipline Takes Second in Business Plan Competition
The School Tipline is a tool for students to report concerns concerning safety to authorities.
This innovative venture empowers student to report bullying, threats, and drugs while remaining anonymous by using electronic communication methods such as text messaging or the Internet. The practical nature of this innovation earned the School Tipline business plan a second place honor at the 2008 Business Plan Competition held in the JSB Auditorium by the Marriott School.
Bergener noted that very few students are willing to pay the social price required by current reporting methods. "Students prefer to communicate online or through text messaging because that's where they feel most anonymous." In addition to being seen in the principal's office of talking to the teacher, reporting will often hurt a student's 'social status,'" he said. "Some even refer to it as 'social suicide.'" Utilizing the modern technology of text messaging or Internet reporting allows them a way that is safe-both physically and socially-to reach out for help.
"The idea for School Tipline came a couple of years ago, after my sister was harassed after reporting something very dangerous at her school," Bergener explained. "I saw what happened to students who try to do the right thing; after that incident, she swore she would never report again." Bergener realized the extent of the problem and sought to change it for students of all ages.
Utilizing the modern technology of text messaging of Internet reporting allows students a way that is safe to reach out for help.
School Tipline focuses mainly on student from grades K-12. "Anywhere in those ages there is bullying, harassment, drugs, and violence," said Bergener. "Many potentially very dangerous situations occur as early as the 3rd grade." Bergener explained that bulling peaks toward middle school years, then when students are in high school turns into less obvious but just as harmful practices such as hazing or harassment or drugs. "We can see examples of violence in the media and the news," commented Bergener, referring specifically to several recent school shootings and a plot by elementary students to kidnap and kill their teacher. "Obviously, there are serious threats at very young ages."
Bergener's Tipline seeks to cut off such problems in the earliest stages. Currently over 40 schools in 6 states use School Tipline. Rosanna Ungerman, principal of Dixon Middle School in Provo, UT, implemented School Tipline at her school "Students always know before adults where there is crime, threat, or activity that is-or will be-dangerous," she said, as quoted on School Tipline's official website. "I want [students] to know they have a place to report without being identified, if necessary."