Marker Learning, a startup specialising in tech-enabled evaluations and services for learning disabilities, recently raised $15 million in Series A funding led by a16z and Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin group.
But what are learning disability services? And how is Marker Learning making a difference?
Around 20% of children have learning disabilities in the US, yet only 4% are diagnosed and treated. The current special education system faces several problems, leaving children struggling to receive the assistance they need.
Marker Learning co-founders, Stefan Bauer and Emily Yudofsky, have personally dealt with dyslexia and inequities in the system. With Marker Learning, they’re on a mission to make learning disability evaluations and services accessible to everyone, regardless of background or financial situation.
Let’s explore how Marker Learning is making efforts to transform the education system for disabilities in the US.
Marker Learning tackling inefficiencies in the special education system
Schools in the US are required by law to administer learning evaluations, identify children with learning disabilities like dyslexia, ADHD and dyscalculia, and provide them with the support and guidance they need and deserve. However, staffing shortages, especially among specialised positions like school psychologists and special education teachers, make it difficult to do so.
While existing staff members want to provide targeted support services to such students, they’re often bound by time constraints. Additionally, high costs associated with private evaluations—ranging from $5000 to $10,000—make it difficult for families to provide the necessary support.
Marker Learning provides a cost-effective solution accessible to all students, schools and families. It develops deep partnerships with school leaders, psychologists, and teachers and also works directly with parents, who often seek an affordable alternative to private evaluations.
The company has become one of the fastest-adopted solutions by large districts nationwide in the history of US edtech, with a 100% renewal rate.
How does Marker Learning Work?
Marker Learning uses a unique approach to provide remote learning disability evaluations, consulting, therapy and tutoring services to schools and parents. Its services combine the expertise of part-time psychologists with powerful software to streamline the time-consuming intake, evaluation, and report-writing process, resulting in faster and more affordable evaluations.
For schools with staffing shortages, Marker Learning frees up school psychologists’ time to support students beyond evaluations and report writing. With its reliable and affordable remote evaluation services, students get the required support, and schools save money that’d otherwise be spent on expensive private evaluations.
For parents, it provides diagnosis, consulting and tutoring solutions to help their child reach their full potential at affordable prices.
Marker Learning exemplifies what technology can do to unlock access to scarce, specialised resources affordably and transform the experience for both professionals and consumers. I’d encourage anyone with a family member or friend with needs in this area to try Marker and experience the difference for themselves.
– Julie Yoo, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz.
About Marker Learning
Marker Learning is a US-based startup driven by a mission to provide accessible and reliable evaluations for students with learning disabilities. Co-founders Stefan Bauer and Emily Yudofsky’s personal experience with dyslexia fuels their passion—both were diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age and received support from their families.
Stefan’s late mother, Jayne Bauer, provided him with incredible support. As a result, Stefan excelled in academics, athletics, and professional career. With an MBA from Yale, he was a top-ranked Engagement Manager at McKinsey.
Emily is an accomplished entrepreneur with an undergraduate degree from Yale, a Stanford MBA, and a four-year stint at Google as a PMM. She founded and served as CEO of the personalised weight care company Found, which raised $100 million. She also founded an fMRI company that tested the efficacy of corporate marketing strategies.
Bauer and Yudofsky’s complementary experiences and expertise have driven Marker Learning’s success.
Parting words
The pandemic has brought to light the challenges faced by schools, parents, and children in the special education system. Despite recent federal and state legislation requiring schools to test for learning disabilities, there has been a growing backlog of tests and staff shortages, making it difficult for schools to meet the new standards. This has resulted in districts paying over $1 billion in payments related to special education litigation.
Marker Learning’s mission to close the gap between diagnosed and treated children with learning disabilities is crucial in addressing this issue. With Marker Learning already reaching 1 million students through its school partnerships, it has the potential to make a significant impact.
However, it’s important to acknowledge both the positive and negative sides of remote care options. While they offer convenience and accessibility, they may not be suitable for every child’s needs.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
