Florida set to be first state to adopt conservative standardized entrance exam program.
Florida Could Become First State to Accept Alternative Standardized Test for Public Universities
Florida is on the verge of making history by potentially becoming the first state to accept a new standardized test that has gained popularity among Christians and conservatives. This move comes as Governor Ron DeSantis continues his battle against educational organizations regarding instructional material.
The Florida Board of Governors, with the support of the DeSantis administration, is scheduled to vote at its August meeting on whether to approve the Classic Learning Test (CLT) scores for admissions, in addition to the SAT and ACT scores.
A Test Aligned with Conservative Values
The CLT, created in 2015, has garnered favor among conservative groups and Christian private schools as an alternative to tests like the SAT and ACT, which some believe promote a progressive agenda. Unlike its counterparts, the CLT places emphasis on teaching the humanities, morality, and classical literature. It is currently implemented in over 200 private universities.
If accepted, this would be a significant victory for Governor DeSantis, who has been actively campaigning against critical race theory and LGBT-related topics in Florida’s educational system.
DeSantis recently engaged in a lengthy battle with the College Board, the organization responsible for administering the SAT and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. The dispute centered around the AP African American history course, with DeSantis and conservatives criticizing its framework for promoting critical race theory and left-leaning policies.
Following the clash with the College Board, Florida has accelerated its implementation of classical education and the CLT. DeSantis signed a bill this year that opened a college scholarship program to accept CLT scores alongside ACT and SAT scores.
Jeremy Tate, the founder of the CLT, sees Florida’s potential acceptance of the test as a significant step in a broader movement among education groups frustrated with the level of progressive influence in programs. Tate believes there is something deeply wrong with mainstream education today.
The CLT intentionally diverges from the Common Core curriculum and favors the teachings of Aristotle, Benjamin Franklin, and Jane Austen over 20th-century progressive authors, according to Tate.
While the College Board released an analysis criticizing the CLT’s methodology and rigor, stating the importance of well-researched and carefully developed tests for fairness, the potential acceptance of the CLT in Florida marks a significant shift in standardized testing for public universities.
Click here to read more from The Washington Examiner.
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