Commissioner Wynn Rosser clarified that universities can immediately consider Classic Learning Test (CLT) scores for applicants outside the top-10% automatic admissions window. This move comes as Texas eyes wider use of the conservative-favored entrance exam.

Background

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board voted to send an independent review of the CLT, SAT, and ACT to legislative leaders. The review found less evidence supporting the CLT’s use in statewide admissions, noting that more research is needed on the exam before colleges can rely on those scores.

The CLT received 1.4 out of 4 possible points in predicting students’ college performance, compared to 3.8 for the ACT and 4 for the SAT. CLT representatives attributed the low score to the limited amount of Texas data available, saying the review excluded evidence from outside the state.

Implications

The CLT emphasizes longer reading passages from influential works of literature, history, and philosophy, including writings by Plato and Aristotle, historical epics, and Christian philosophical works. The exam’s founder and CEO, Jeremy Tate, argued that this focus makes the CLT more closely aligned with Texas’ new social studies standards, state book lists, and instructional materials than other entrance exams.

Sen. Mayes Middleton, who authored the law requiring the review, said Texas needs alternatives to the SAT and ACT due to concerns about perceived bias and declining rigor. The next step is for the coordinating board to convene a rulemaking panel to officially write the CLT into statewide admissions rules.

Original reporting: Texas Tribune (HLL/CB) — read the source article.