The IAS is only advisory; as far as I know nobody is obligated to listen to it. But yes, it's persuasive.

Our district does that too-- to get a skip you have to get a certain percentage (75? 80?) on the end of year test for the grade you're skipping into. It makes no sense, but that's what they do. I think they want to be assured of success. (It can't be an aptitude test-- he must have meant achievement test?)

DeeDee