Florida looks to adopt 'classical' curriculum, exam

The Sunshine State is reportedly looking to embrace a conservative "classical" curriculum and an alternative exam to replace the SAT and ACT amid Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis's efforts to reform education in Florida.

The Florida Board of Governors is expected to vote at the end of the month on whether to adopt the Classical Learning Test, Axios reported. The CLT launched in 2015 and has gained traction among the homeschooling and charter school systems.

A three-section exam, the test includes quantitative reasoning, grammar and writing, and verbal reasoning portions. The state would also look to embrace a "classical" curriculum on what it considers core western values. The concept has the support of the conservative Hillsdale College.

The expected vote, slated for Aug. 30, comes as the state continues to wrestle with the College Board, the company that manages Advanced Placement (AP) courses and exams. Florida's laws restrict the teaching of Critical Race Theory and certain gender and sexual topics, leading to tensions with the CB over its curriculum.

While the CB rolled back some of "queer" elements of its AP African American studies course but has declined to make further concessions to the state.

Education reform has been a pivotal issue for DeSantis during his tenure, as well as on the campaign trail, as he seeks the Republican nomination for president in 2024.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.