I think that all these strict cut-offs are dumb, but districts use them and if they have a policy that the kid has to score 85 percentile on reading comprehension, there probably isn't much you can do other than re-test or have them look at a reading comprehension test that is already done. What other assessments do they normally do that she has maxed out? Do they test above grade level? Because if it only tests on grade level, lots of kids (nationally, not necessarily in your class) would max out on it, and it's not necessarily going to be above the 85th percentile.
On one of the computerized reading tests my DD scored in the low 90's, she is in third grade, and the test put her at a 7th grade reading level. 7th grade reading level seems like it should be impressive for a 3rd grader, but it's really not that high percentile-wise. The district g/t coordinator told me she is "weak" in reading and they would have to watch her reading. Luckily she did better on the next test.
