On tests like NWEA MAP, my kid who scores in the 99th percentile for a fourth grader is testing around the 50th percentile compared to 12th graders. So this study would put him at 8 years ahead. Can he actually do 12th grade standards? No. But it shows that the average 12th grader is not actually proficient with 12th grade math standards. Not sure if this makes any sense. But I think that's where they are going w/ this study. Basically any student that tests above the 90th percentile on a test like MAP is testing like the average student in a much higher grade. Anyone scoring about the 75th percentile or so is probably scoring like the average student 2 or 3 grade levels ahead. It doesn't mean that those kids in the 4+ ahead schools are actually accelerated 4 years in terms of the work. They just score a lot better on the tests. That's my take on this at any rate.
