2 out of 3 students in the United States cannot read proficiently.
MARCUS is here to change this reality.
MARCUS is a video game that supports 4th – 8th grade struggling readers to become proficient readers while also developing a love for reading
The MARCUS Literacy Project, Inc. exists to change the arch of the student experience in the American education system by eradicating childhood illiteracy by 2050.
Our vision is that every student who graduates from a US public school will have the literacy skills required to approach life with joy, confidence, and dignity.
GAMIFIED LITERACY CONTENT
PERSONALIZED LITERACY CONTENT
SOCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY SUPPORTIVE
DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE READING CONTENT
2 out of 3 Students Cannot Read Proficiently
In the United States, 2 out of 3 students cannot read proficiently and 43 million US adults are illiterate.
Individuals who fail to learn
Individuals who fail to learn to read are twice as likely to be unemployed, live in poverty, and experience poor health outcomes.
US juvenile justice system
Eighty-five percent of kids involved in the US juvenile justice system are illiterate.
The social and economic cost
The social and economic cost of illiteracy in the US is estimated at 300 billion dollars annually.
OUR SOLUTION
Support students to become proficient readers
MARCUS is a video game in the form of a first-person visual novel that provides individualized literacy content to support 4th-8th grade struggling readers to become proficient readers while developing a love for reading.
How MARCUS Works
Making Adaptative Reading Content Universally Stimulating
Gamified Literacy Content
A player's gaming experience starts with a fun assessment. Say “bye-bye” to traditional reading assessments. Reading levels are determined through game play. Yes, through game play! Put the running records away and just play!
Personalized Literacy Content For Every Reader
MARCUS is a learning solution that provides individualized literacy content across a common gaming experience; therefore, all students can play! Our solution supports struggling readers with foundational skills and concepts while providing targeted content to further develop a player’s ability to read proficiently, with joy and confidence.
Socially and Emotionally Supportive
MARCUS destigmatizes the process of learning to read. Our learning solution eliminates the stigma struggling readers experience by providing a common platform that readers of all levels can enjoy and play.
Diverse and Inclusive Reading Content
Less than 25% of children’s books written in the last 18 years contain diverse and inclusive content, with the majority of stories by non-authors of color. Our stories are written for diverse audiences to counter the lack of diverse representations in many school-based curriculums.
Partnerships
Amazing blog post
