The rule provides school districts, administrators and parents with the criteria by which a third-grade student identified for retention may be promoted to fourth grade using an alternative assessment or the third-grade student portfolio. Criteria for identification of alternative assessments and the acceptable level of performance will be determined by the Department of Education and provided to the appropriate parties. Also included in the rule are criteria for the third-grade student portfolio, specifically, who may select items to be included in the portfolio, assurance that the items are appropriate and demonstrate the students ability to perform successfully on fourth grade standards. The portfolio must contain a percentage of informational and literary text and be signed by the student’s teacher and principal.