Florida's Risky Gamble with College Admissions

With decades of SAT and ACT results assisting universities in choosing potential candidates, why introduce a new system now?

Listeners will get insights into whether this classical test model offers any significant advantage over the existing ones or if it's merely a deviation from a working system. Does the classical approach truly encapsulate the modern requirements of universities?

The duo also address the potentially destabilizing impact on college admissions. With the standardized test system already under scrutiny, is Florida adding to the confusion, rather than providing a clear solution? And is this truly in the best interests of the students, especially those who have spent years preparing for the existing exams?

With comments from experts in the education sector, this episode promises a holistic view on a potentially disruptive move in American education. If you're involved in education in any capacity, join Katie and David to explore this unexpected curveball.

Tune into "Educated" with Katie Petrick and David Fiorazo: where critical examination meets contemporary educational debates.

Additional Details on the Classic Learning Test:

In September 2023, Florida's state university system's Board of Governors approved the Classic Learning Test (CLT) for undergraduate admissions. This means students applying to any of the state's 12 universities have the option to submit CLT scores.

According to the CLT website, it is now recognized by over 250 colleges as a valid admissions option. Unlike the ACT, which is based on Common Core studies, the CLT adopts a classical education model. It evaluates students' abilities in reading, grammar, writing, and mathematics, uniquely incorporating classic literature and historical texts, particularly from the Western canon with a focus on Christian thought. Some believe that this online test, which lasts only 2 hours, offers a more engaging experience than the SAT®, with an added benefit of the results available in just two weeks. But some testing experts question whether the CLT has shown it is ready for such a major assignment. They say its claim of validity as an admissions exam is not as solid as it should be. And they question whether its scores can be compared yet to those from other tests.

However, there are reservations among some testing experts about the readiness of the CLT for such a significant role. These experts express concerns regarding the test's established validity as an admissions tool, suggesting that it may not be as robust as necessary. Additionally, there are questions about the comparability of CLT scores with those from other established tests.