Florida’s embrace of the Classic Learning Test for college admissions follows a high-profile dispute between the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis and the College Board, which administers the SAT.

Here is a summary of the key points from the article:

  • Florida is considering becoming the first state to accept the Classic Learning Test (CLT), a conservative-aligned alternative to the SAT and ACT, for admissions at its public universities.

  • The CLT was created in 2015 and emphasizes humanities, morality, and classical literature. It has grown popular among Christian schools and conservative groups.

  • Florida’s consideration follows conflict between Gov. Ron DeSantis and the College Board over a disputed AP course. DeSantis wants alternatives to College Board products like the SAT.

  • The CLT’s founder says the test counters progressive influence in education. Critics argue it focuses on outdated methods and texts.

  • Supporters worry the test’s growth in red states like Florida politicizes it as a conservative exam versus the SAT as more liberal.

  • If approved in Florida, the CLT would expand its reach significantly as an alternative to the dominant SAT/ACT. But some say its overall influence is still small compared to those major tests.