Florida expected to approve ‘Classic Learning Test’ for admissions to public universities

Florida’s public university system is expected to approve the Classic Learning Test (CLT), a college entrance exam seen as an alternative to the SAT, for admissions in a vote later this week.

The CLT was approved in June by a committee of the state Board of Governors, according to The Tampa Bay Times, and the full board is set for a vote Friday.

If the board approves the CLT, Florida’s public university system — which includes the University of Florida and Florida State University — would become the first to approve CLT for college admissions. 

Created in 2015, the test puts a heavy focus on classic literature and the humanities. The CLT is currently accepted at over 200 colleges and universities, mostly religious schools, as an alternative to the widely used SAT, which is owned by the College Board, and the ACT. 

In a statement to The Hill, a spokesperson for the CLT described the test as “another opportunity for students to showcase their academic potential,” while allowing schools to “reach a wider variety of students from different educational backgrounds.” 

Approval of the CLT would likely fuel the ongoing dispute between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and the College Board, who have butted heads over some of the organization’s Advanced Placement (AP) classes, notably its AP African American Studies course.

Earlier this year, the DeSantis administration sent a letter to the College Board rejecting the AP African American Studies course for Florida schools. 

Later in May, Florida demanded College Board to modify any courses that conflict with the new Florida law restricting teaching on sexual orientation and gender identify in the classroom through 12th grade. The College Board fired back on Florida’s requests in June, and said it would not alter AP courses to comply with Florida’s new laws. 

As a result of the new laws, at least nine school districts in Florida dropped the AP Psychology course after the College Board said the course was “effectively banned” in the state. The Florida Department of Education has pushed back against that characterization, claiming the administration did not tell schools the class was banned. 

The Hill has reached out to the chancellor and Board of Governors of the State University System of Florida for comment. 

Updated 5:12 p.m.