The focus of proficiency-based learning is on students’ demonstration of desired learning outcomes. Students gain the skills, abilities, and knowledge required in an area of study, along with those necessary to be successful in college, career and civic life. Proficiency-based learning is designed to identify and address gaps to provide equitable learning opportunities for every student. This is in contrast to traditional systems which advance students based on seat time. (From the Vermont agency of Education)
Voyager house believes that standards based learning and assessment provides a more accurate measure of students' progress than traditional grading systems. This is because students learn and work toward grade appropriate, common learning targets and proficiency standards which are specific and definitive, in contrast with systems in which grading is subjective to the teacher, and often compares students to their peers. Voyager teachers are committed to ensuring that each student's knowledge is assessed fairly and appropriately based upon what they demonstrate in relation to the standards for said learning.