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Committee sends bill forward to let independent homeschoolers pick nationally normed tests and recognize CLT; advocates and College Board clash
Summary
HB 1729, which would let independent homeschoolers use a nationally normed exam and add the Classic Learning Test (CLT) as an assessment option, advanced from committee after testimony for both parts. Proponents said the changes increase choice and remove outdated penalties; opponents raised comparability, research and privacy concerns.
The House Education Committee voted to advance HB 1729 after hearing testimony and a turbulent exchange over assessment options for K–12 students and changes to homeschool testing rules. Sponsor Chairman Slater described two parts to the bill: allow independent homeschool families to choose a nationally normed standardized achievement test (instead of only the TCAP in certain grades) and remove statutory remediation/penalty language; and recognize the Classic Learning Test (CLT) alongside the ACT and SAT as an option for K–12 assessment.
Will Estrada of the Homeschool Legal Defense Association told the committee the penalty language for homeschoolers is antiquated and never used, and urged removal so families can choose a nationally normed test. Michael Torres, policy director for CLT, described the test’s classical-literacy focus and fast growth, saying the CLT provides an additional option for families. Chase Coffee, College Board government relations director for Tennessee, warned independent reviews are limited, said the CLT does not fully cover some algebra and data topics and raised privacy concerns about recorded home proctoring: "there is a recording of that student for 2 hours in their bedroom taking that exam."
Lawmakers questioned whether multiple test options would undermine apples-to-apples comparisons used for accountability and raised concerns that expanding options could create confusion for students applying to colleges that do not accept every test. Chairman Slater and supporters emphasized the bill does not require colleges to accept the CLT for admissions and that the change applies to K–12 assessment recognition and homeschool testing, not college admissions policy.
The clerk recorded a committee vote of 10 ayes and 8 nays; HB 1729 moves out to calendar and rules for further action.
