Tennessee Challenges College Board with Classic Learning Test
Submitted by MAGA
Posted 8 hours ago
**Battle for Educational Excellence: Tennessee Takes a Stand Against College Board Monopoly**
In a striking move against educational monopolies, Tennessee lawmakers are championing the adoption of the Classic Learning Test (CLT) as a viable alternative to the longstanding SAT, a decision that signals a growing pushback against the status quo of standardized testing.
This initiative began when Tennessee Republican lawmaker William Slater introduced a bill allowing public universities in the state to accept the CLT for college admissions.
However, this progressive step faced immediate backlash from prominent figures at the College Board, the nonprofit organization behind the SAT, which has maintained its grip on college admissions for decades.
The College Board dispatched lobbyists to thwart the legislation, revealing a desperation to protect its monopoly despite a burgeoning demand for educational reform. Their approach to combat the CLT, which they criticized for perceived flaws, has raised questions about their motives.
As Slater firmly stated, “I told her it seems protectionist and I’m not going to allow a monopoly to keep us from doing good education policy in Tennessee.”
The CLT, which emerged from the classical education movement, aims to restore a focus on enduring works of literature and philosophy, fundamentally a move toward enriching the educational experience rather than merely measuring rote memorization.
With the recent surge in students choosing alternative education models, including private and home schooling, the demand for the CLT is growing. In fact, educational experts like Chester Finn have highlighted the CLT's merits as a legitimate admissions test, arguing that it encourages deeper engagement with material, rather than the utilitarian approach criticized in traditional testing formats.
Florida has already paved the way by approving the CLT’s use in schools, leading to a seven-fold increase in test-takers over the past year. With evidence that this change is sparking significant interest among students—particularly from public schools—it's clear that the rigidity of the SAT and ACT is being challenged.
Data from various states reveal that foreign policy and accountability in education have become hot-button issues, with many American families seeking more flexibility to align educational pathways with moral and civic values.
While the College Board vehemently asserts that supporting diverse educational assessments is part of their mission, their aggressive lobbying tactics paint a different picture. This amalgamation of political maneuvering and unwavering commitment to outdated testing practices increasingly casts shadows over their credibility.
As states like Arkansas, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas consider similar legislation to integrate the CLT into their educational frameworks, the momentum is undeniably shifting toward empowering students with options that reflect a more comprehensive understanding of knowledge and virtue.
The educational landscape in America is evolving, and Tennessee’s bold steps may be the catalyst needed to disrupt decades of complacency in college admissions testing.
This critical examination of how students are assessed will not only influence educational policy but also impact cultural norms around what constitutes meaningful learning in our ever-changing society.
With a landscape ripe for reform and a clear push against monopolistic practices, one thing is certain: the fight for educational excellence is far from over.
Sources:
wnd.com
thegatewaypundit.com
harbingersdaily.com
In a striking move against educational monopolies, Tennessee lawmakers are championing the adoption of the Classic Learning Test (CLT) as a viable alternative to the longstanding SAT, a decision that signals a growing pushback against the status quo of standardized testing.
This initiative began when Tennessee Republican lawmaker William Slater introduced a bill allowing public universities in the state to accept the CLT for college admissions.
However, this progressive step faced immediate backlash from prominent figures at the College Board, the nonprofit organization behind the SAT, which has maintained its grip on college admissions for decades.
The College Board dispatched lobbyists to thwart the legislation, revealing a desperation to protect its monopoly despite a burgeoning demand for educational reform. Their approach to combat the CLT, which they criticized for perceived flaws, has raised questions about their motives.
As Slater firmly stated, “I told her it seems protectionist and I’m not going to allow a monopoly to keep us from doing good education policy in Tennessee.”
The CLT, which emerged from the classical education movement, aims to restore a focus on enduring works of literature and philosophy, fundamentally a move toward enriching the educational experience rather than merely measuring rote memorization.
With the recent surge in students choosing alternative education models, including private and home schooling, the demand for the CLT is growing. In fact, educational experts like Chester Finn have highlighted the CLT's merits as a legitimate admissions test, arguing that it encourages deeper engagement with material, rather than the utilitarian approach criticized in traditional testing formats.
Florida has already paved the way by approving the CLT’s use in schools, leading to a seven-fold increase in test-takers over the past year. With evidence that this change is sparking significant interest among students—particularly from public schools—it's clear that the rigidity of the SAT and ACT is being challenged.
Data from various states reveal that foreign policy and accountability in education have become hot-button issues, with many American families seeking more flexibility to align educational pathways with moral and civic values.
While the College Board vehemently asserts that supporting diverse educational assessments is part of their mission, their aggressive lobbying tactics paint a different picture. This amalgamation of political maneuvering and unwavering commitment to outdated testing practices increasingly casts shadows over their credibility.
As states like Arkansas, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas consider similar legislation to integrate the CLT into their educational frameworks, the momentum is undeniably shifting toward empowering students with options that reflect a more comprehensive understanding of knowledge and virtue.
The educational landscape in America is evolving, and Tennessee’s bold steps may be the catalyst needed to disrupt decades of complacency in college admissions testing.
This critical examination of how students are assessed will not only influence educational policy but also impact cultural norms around what constitutes meaningful learning in our ever-changing society.
With a landscape ripe for reform and a clear push against monopolistic practices, one thing is certain: the fight for educational excellence is far from over.
Sources:
wnd.com
thegatewaypundit.com
harbingersdaily.com
Latest News