The three subtests that he scored below five years on include two that are fine motor-related (writing numbers and copying shapes), and one that is qualitatively scored using a rubric. I would not worry too much about them, as writing is likely not an emphasis in a play-based preschool.
OTOH, the research on red shirting is uniformly negative in its long term outcomes, including increased risk of dropout, especially in boys. Link to summary of research:
http://www.nasponline.org/resources/instruction_curriculum/retentionho_educators.pdfI don't mean that anyone who's done it has doomed their kid, but just that the research most certainly does not support the practice, except in exceptional cases. Your engineer husband might appreciate some data.
Oh, and the Gesell should be viewed as a screener. It's really supposed to identify kids who may need support, not be used as an entrance exam, especially in public schools, which are mandated to educate every child who makes the age cut-off.
