House approves bill letting students use Classical Learning Test for school accountability and scholarships

The Oklahoma House on March 11 passed House Bill 10 96, sponsored by Representative Hassenbeck, to allow the Classical Learning Test (CLT) as a third testing option for end-of-high-school reporting and certain college scholarship eligibility. The House recorded a vote of 78 ayes and 17 nays on final passage; members also approved the emergency provision after the vote.

Supporters described the bill as an opportunity-expanding change for students. "House bill 10 96 gives students an option of a third test as a choice for end of high school and college admission," Representative Hassenbeck said during her explanation of the measure. Hassenbeck told colleagues the CLT would be administered in controlled, brick-and-mortar settings in Oklahoma and said the test offers additional pathways for students to qualify for scholarships and college admission.

Opponents focused their remarks on test security, the limited number of institutions that currently accept the CLT and the relative lack of long-term, national usage data. "I'm gonna urge the membership to vote against this bill," Representative McCain said during closing debate, saying the state lacked sufficient additional data. Representative Waldron described concerns relayed by the regents' office, saying, in part, "We would not use the CLT for our institutions ... they lack the rigor of the tests we're already using" and outlined specific security, proctoring and accessibility gaps voiced by higher-education officials.

The House heard extended debate on the floor. Supporters argued the state is facing an "enrollment cliff" and should broaden options that could draw students to Oklahoma institutions; Representative Wooley and Representative Hall both spoke in favor of the bill during debate. Critics urged caution and recommended aligning any new exam accepted with the same security, accessibility and auditing standards used for existing college entrance tests.

The bill's language makes the CLT an available option for students alongside existing assessments; it does not remove the existing ACT or SAT requirements or automatically change university admissions rules. The House also approved the emergency clause allowing the change to take effect immediately under the rules the chamber followed for the vote.

Representative Hassenbeck closed debate by urging members to consider the state's college-degree and enrollment goals. "It is only giving more students more opportunities," she said. The bill now heads to the next step in the legislative process after passage in the House.

Votes on final passage: 78 ayes, 17 nays. Emergency vote recorded as having met the required threshold per the House announcement.