Hillsborough board backs Classical Learning Test as additional graduation pathway amid debate

The Hillsborough County School Board voted July 14 to accept the Classical Learning Test (CLT) as an additional concordant assessment option that students may use to meet state graduation benchmarks and, where applicable, scholarship concordance requirements.

The measure, presented as an item from Superintendent Van Ayers and academic staff, frames the CLT as another pathway alongside the SAT and ACT that can help students reach graduation benchmarks and qualify for certain state scholarships. "This is just another option," Superintendent Van Ayers said, adding the district's goal is to provide “as many opportunities as we can for kids to graduate and get across the stage and be college- and career-ready.”

The board's discussion focused on the CLT's research base, national recognition and cost. Member Combs said she worried the CLT is "not really a nationally recognized test" and cautioned against presenting it as equivalent to decades-old assessments. "The SAT has more than 70 years of research supporting its reliability," she said. Other board members argued the CLT can expand pathways for students not well served by traditional tests. "This gives them that opportunity and opens up a host of other opportunities," one board member said in support of the option.

Staff described recent changes in state standard-setting that affected pass rates and said offering multiple pathways helps students who demonstrate proficiency in different ways. Christina Rayburn, executive director for high school education, explained that the state adjusted CLT standard-setting and that the district saw varying pass rates across cohorts: "For reference, we had 19% of our juniors meet the reading benchmark through CLT and 28% in math, compared to higher senior-year results under different measures." The board discussed how CLT use intersects with school grades and state accountability measures, and staff clarified that school-grade proficiency is measured primarily on 9th- and 10th-grade assessments while graduation benchmarks can be met later.

Board members also asked about costs and equity. Member Cox noted the district's CLT expenditure rose from about $200,000 to $559,000 (as reported during discussion) and urged transparency for taxpayers. Supporters said the district should offer multiple pathways so students whose skills are not reflected on traditional standardized tests have another route to a standard diploma.

After questioning and debate, the board approved the item. Staff said the district will provide CLT preparation and incorporate the option within its broader testing and graduation-preparation strategy. The board-recorded vote was taken by lights; staff confirmed the item passed during the meeting.

The board did not change state policy—the CLT is a state-authorized assessment option—but the district's action makes the CLT available locally as an alternative pathway for students to demonstrate readiness for graduation. The board will continue to monitor outcomes and prepare additional test-preparation support earlier in students' junior year to improve readiness.