Proximity Teachers Use LinkIt! Data to Boost Growth

Proximity Learning Teachers Are Using LinkIt! Data to Drive Real Student Growth

It’s no secret that millions of dollars are spent in school districts every year on education technology like asynchronous learning models. These one-size-fits-all online programs aren’t helping teachers, or students for that matter, close the learning gap. Therefore, it’s understandable that many people remain skeptical of virtual education technology and its abilities to enhance and support academic growth and success. 

Too often, when someone references virtual learning or education technology, it conjures up images of pre-recorded videos, disconnected lessons, and students clicking through uninspired content alone or in an overcrowded credit recovery classroom. But what if virtual learning could be something more—something deeply personal, rigorously academic, and data-driven? At Proximity Learning, we believe it can and should be better. And we have the numbers to prove it.

Our virtual school teachers aren’t just meeting instructional expectations, they’re exceeding them. With the right combination of certified live instruction, strategic partnerships, and real-time assessment data, virtual education can rival and even surpass the traditional classroom experience. 

A Pilot Year That Delivered Measurable Growth

Last year, we announced an exciting new partnership with LinkIt!, a leader in assessment and analytics for K–12 schools. That partnership, officially launched last September 2024 and marked a major step in our mission to empower teachers with smarter tools and stronger student data. Together, we committed to enhancing student achievement through actionable insight and real-time support.

In the 2024–2025 academic year, we piloted the LinkIt! platform with 1,500 students across eight state-tested subjects. Students took a benchmark assessment within the first two weeks of starting their class with a Proximity Learning certified virtual teacher. The results gave our certified teachers immediate visibility into each learner’s strengths and areas of need.

From there, our virtual school teachers, in collaboration with instructional coaches and Teaching and Learning Specialists (TLS), used the data to drive differentiated lesson planning and tailored support. At the end of the year, students completed a post-assessment, and the growth was undeniable! We saw double-digit academic gains in core math and science subjects like Algebra II, Chemistry, and Biology. English and history courses also posted significant increases. 

The pilot proved what we’ve believed all along: when teachers have the right tools and support, virtual learning can be not just effective—but exceptional.

From Pilot to Program-Wide Expansion

With such strong results, we’re expanding this initiative in the 2025–2026 school year with more subjects and more students. Consistent student benchmarking will enable us and our district partners to track progress throughout the year—not just at the beginning and end.

This isn’t just about numbers though. It’s about equity and it’s about access. This is about making sure every student, regardless of their zoned school district, has the opportunity to learn from a certified and experienced virtual educator who understands their needs and adapts in real time.

That’s why we’re calling on districts to rethink what virtual learning can be. The time for passive, asynchronous models and generic curriculum has passed. Today’s students deserve more than pre-recorded lessons, they deserve real connection, responsive instruction, and meaningful academic growth. With certified virtual educators leading live, personalized classrooms, we’re not just closing gaps—we’re opening doors. 

Why This Matters

The virtual learning landscape is shifting and it’s happening faster than many realize. As districts face ongoing teacher shortages and increasing pressure to meet diverse student needs, virtual education is no longer a stopgap solution. It’s a viable, strategic path forward. For too long, students in underserved or hard-to-staff schools have been left behind. This is more than innovation, it’s equity in action.

At Proximity Learning, we’re proving that virtual school teachers, when equipped with tools like LinkIt! and supported by a strong instructional framework, don’t just meet expectations, they redefine them. Our certified virtual teachers are using real-time data, engaging in ongoing coaching, and personalizing instruction every step of the way. This is what it looks like to reimagine what’s possible in education—and we’re just getting started.

Ready to see what live, data-informed virtual instruction can do for your district? Visit proxlearn.com or follow us @ProximityLearning to learn more.