Welcome, Liz.
You think you are shell-shocked now! Just wait. We were approached by our son's school to have him skip kindy just a few days before the start of the school year (he was about a month shy of five).
I'm glad your school is working proactively for your child.
I've not seen anyone suggest "A Nation Deceived," which I think is excellent reading parents in your shoes, especially if you have any concerns (or curiosity) about the skip.
"A Nation Deceived"
http://www.nationdeceived.org/There's an executive summary for the proverbial wetting of the feet: (
http://www.accelerationinstitute.org/Nation_Deceived/Executive_Summary.aspx), and then -- if so inclined -- you can plow into the full report for all the gory details.
Lastly, there's a wonderful article, "What a Child Doesn't Learn."
Opening quote:
If during the first five or six years of school, a child earns good grades and high praise without having to make much effort, what are all the things he doesn�t learn that most children learn by third grade?
The full article is available here:
http://www.wku.edu/academy/?p=430