The phrase "proficiency bar" refers to a standard or level of skill or knowledge that someone has reached in a particular area or subject. It represents how well someone can perform or understand something. Full definition
Rather, good grades suggest that states are setting a high proficiency bar — that students must perform at a high level to be deemed proficient in a given subject at their grade level. (educationnext.org)
Importantly, each state chooses its own tests and sets its own proficiency bar. (educationnext.org)
With a rising proficiency bar, student performance appears lower even when it is the bar itself — not student performance — that has changed. (educationnext.org)