I thought that I remembered reading that DYS considers the grade for EXPLORE. I can certainly understand the viewpoint that it is more impressive when a child who is younger for grade does exceptionally well on EXPLORE. On the flipside, though, is the issue of exposure; that is, a child who is grade skipped had access to material or teaching that a child the exact same age, but in a younger grade, does not.
Then again, I believe that NEEDING to be grade skipped IS evidence on the whole application (and I do believe that Davidson tries to look at the "whole picture" presented by the application) that the child may have needs that DYS can fill. So overall, a grade skip probably DOES help the application.
I believe that the new criteria are actually much more 2e friendly (and I do not think that this is an accident).
I wish I had more insight on the other questions you have asked, but I am sure that others will chime in - best of luck on your DD's application!
