skipping represents lost revenue to school districts. Say they get $6000/yr/student. If 10 kids skip each year, it adds up. If one kid skips a few grades it adds up. Also, they worry about NCLB. They can't risk that the kid will not test proficient. Even for very smart kids (and adults!) some of the test questions I've heard are convoluted! I think about DS 6 who will take his first CRT exam this year in 3rd grade. He is HG, but he'll likely come up against confusing questions and stupid acronyms/expressions he's never heard that will frustrate him.
I see your revenue point. I disagree with the proficiency tests though. I see GS9 reading more into a 3rd/4th grade question, and getting it wrong, than I see him having problems with 5th/6th grade questions. An indepth knowledge of a typical 3rd/4th grade subject will have the child questioning some of the answers more than a surface knowlege might present.
