Classic Learning Test adopted in Texas, used by Florida students

Texas announced that the Classic Learning Test (CLT) will be accepted by public universities statewide as an alternative to the SAT and ACT, expanding college‑entrance options. The move follows a Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board study that said the CLT adequately measures college readiness, amid criticism that the traditional tests have become easier in recent years. Texas Higher Education Commissioner Wynn Rosser cited the CLT’s focus on classical Western content as a way to raise academic standards.

In Florida, high‑school students are increasingly taking the CLT to meet graduation requirements. Officials in several districts report that the test has helped boost graduation rates since its introduction in 2023, though some educators argue the exam’s math section is easier than the SAT/ACT. The state requires a score of 11 out of 40 points on the CLT, a threshold set by Classic Learning Initiatives, whose CEO Jeremy Tate defends the test’s rigor. Florida plans to raise the required score slightly next year.