I think you are seeing a couple of different effects here. The 2015 norms are lower than the 2011 norms so it is possible that in a comprehensive historical report, the newer norms may have been applied retroactively to the immediately preceding year (2014).
The Common Core version has at least some questions that are different, so the RIT score should be specific to the Common Core version but I believe that RIT conversion to percentile remains constant. We have experience in the opposite direction. A couple of years ago, our district changed to Common Core MAP before they began using the Common Core curriculums. My kids' scores in math averaged an 6.5 point jump while their scores in reading averaged a 3 point drop from Spring to Fall. There could have been other causes and both kids likely had ceiling issues but both kids mentioned noticeable differences in Reading MAP, particularly in the literary/fiction section. They were seeing unfamiliar terminology/questions.
However, you are talking about the upper end, where a specific individual may easily buck the state trend. There are huge differences among states, at the average level and especially at the upper end, but if your DD stays around the 99th percentile, she is certainly "keeping up nationally" even if she would fall below the top percentiles in competitive states.
Last edited by Quantum2003; 11/04/15 08:58 AM.
