Education

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details about how CLT scores will be compared to ACT or SAT scores.

Adding Classic Learning Test for Scholarships and Admissions

This bill allows students to use their scores on the Classic Learning Test (CLT) for scholarships, grants, and admissions to public universities in Tennessee.

What This Bill Does

• Adds the CLT as an accepted test for HOPE scholarship eligibility.
• Includes the CLT score requirement for general assembly merit scholarships.
• Permits students to use their CLT scores for HOPE access grants.
• Recognizes CLT scores for Tennessee Tri-Star Scholar status.
• Allows public universities to accept CLT scores for admissions.
• Requires TSAC to inform students about CLT testing dates and opportunities.

Who It Names or Affects

• Students applying for scholarships, grants, or university admissions in Tennessee.
• Public higher education institutions in Tennessee.
• The Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC).

Terms To Know

Classic Learning Test (CLT)

A test administered by Classic Learning Initiatives, LLC.

HOPE Scholarship

A scholarship for entering freshmen in Tennessee based on academic performance and financial need.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how CLT scores will be compared to ACT or SAT scores.
• It is unclear if the bill will affect private universities in Tennessee.
• The effective date of July 1, 2025, may change depending on legislative action.

Official Summary Text

Present law authorizes various entities to use ACT and SAT test scores to evaluate a student's

eligibility for scholarships, grant funding, and higher education admissions. This bill adds the
Classic Learning Tes
t administered by Classic Learning Initiatives, LLC
, to the list of authorized tests by which students may be measured for such purposes.

HOPE SCHOLARSHIP

To be eligible for a HOPE scholarship
, present law requires
an entering freshman
to meet certain
requirements, including
a composite ACT score of at least 21 or a concordant equivalent score on the SAT.
This bill adds a concordant equivalent score on
the CLT.

MERIT SCHOLARSHIP

To be eligible for a general assembly merit scholarship as an enterin
g freshman, a student must
meet certain requirements, including
a composite ACT score of at least 29 or a concordant equivalent score on the SAT.
This bill adds a
concordant equivalent score on the CLT
.

HOPE ACCESS GRANT

To be eligible for a Tennessee
HOPE access grant, an entering freshman
must meet certain requirements including
an adjusted gross income attributable to the student that does not exceed $36,0
00 and
a composite ACT score of at least 18 or a concordant equivalent score on the SAT
. This b
ill adds a
concordant equivalent score on the CLT
.

TENNESSEE TRI-STAR SCHOLAR

Present law provides that if a student earns a composite score of 19 or higher on the ACT, or an equivalent score on the SAT, and earns a capstone industry certification as pr
omoted by the department of education, then such student must be recognized as a Tennessee Tri-Star Scholar upon graduation from high school. This bill adds an equivalent score CLT to the list of acceptable tests.

PUBLIC UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS

This bill
authorizes p
ublic higher education institutions to accept a student's score on the ACT, CLT, or SAT
for
purposes of admission to the institution.

TSAC REQUIREMENTS

Present law authorizes the
Tennessee student assistance corporation
(TSAC) to
conduct a
lottery scholarship day each school year.

The purpose of the lottery scholarship day
must
be to inform high school students and their parents of financial assistance available from net lottery proceeds for attendance at eligible postsecondary institutions.

TSAC, with the assistance of the department of education,
must
develop and provide grade
-
appropriate information concerning
t
esting dates for the ACT and SAT, the differences between these tests, and the use of the tests in admission decisions by
eligible postsecondary institutions.
This bill requires that TSAC inform students and parents of the CLT and its testing dates.

RULEMAKING

This bill authorizes TSAC

to
promulgate rules to effectuate
this bill,
including rules to establish scores on the

CLT
that are the concordant equivalent to scores achieved by students on the ACT or SAT.

Current Bill Text

SENATE BILL 150
By Pody

HOUSE BILL 75
By Slater

HB0075
000909
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49,
relative to the Classic Learning Test.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-4-902, is amended by adding the
following as a new, appropriately designated subdivision:
( ) "CLT" means the Classic Learning Test administered by Classic Learning
Initiatives, LLC;
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-4-902(1), is amended by deleting
the language "ACT or SAT score" and substituting instead "ACT, SAT, or CLT score,".
SECTION 3. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-4-907(3), is amended by deleting
subdivision (B) and substituting instead the following:
(B) Attain a composite ACT score of at least twenty-one (21) on any single ACT
test date or a concordant equivalent score on the SAT on any single SAT test date or on
the CLT on any single CLT test date.
SECTION 4. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-4-908(a)(3), is amended by
deleting the language:
a composite ACT score of at least 21 on any single ACT test date or a concordant
equivalent score on the SAT on any single SAT test date
wherever it appears in the subdivision and substituting instead:
a composite ACT score of at least twenty-one (21) on any single ACT test date or a
concordant equivalent score on the SAT on any single SAT test date or on the CLT on
any single CLT test date

- 2 - 000909

SECTION 5. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-4-916, is amended by deleting the
language:
Attain a composite ACT score of at least 29 on any single ACT test date or a concordant
equivalent score on the SAT on any single SAT test date
wherever it appears in the section and substituting instead:
Attain a composite ACT score of at least twenty-nine (29) on any single ACT test date or
a concordant equivalent score on the SAT on any single SAT test date or on the CLT on
any single CLT test date
SECTION 6. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-4-920(a), is amended by deleting
subdivision (6) and substituting instead the following:
(6) Attain a composite ACT score of at least eighteen (18) on any single ACT
test date or a concordant equivalent score on the SAT on any single SAT test date or on
the CLT on any single CLT test date; and
SECTION 7. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-4-932, is amended by deleting the
language "ACT and SAT" wherever it appears in the section and substituting instead "ACT,
SAT, and CLT".
SECTION 8. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-4-935(a), is amended by deleting
subdivision (3) and substituting instead the following:
(3) Attains a composite ACT score of at least twenty-one (21) on any single ACT
test date or a concordant equivalent score on the SAT on any single SAT test date or on
the CLT on any single CLT test date;
SECTION 9. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-7-101, is amended by adding the
following as a new subsection:

- 3 - 000909

(d) Public institutions of higher education are authorized to accept a student's
score on the ACT, CLT, or SAT, as those terms are defined in § 49-4-902, for purposes
of admission to the institution.
SECTION 10. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-6-6010(a)(1), is amended by
deleting the language "or an equivalent score on the SAT" and substituting instead "or an
equivalent score on the SAT or Classic Learning Test (CLT)".
SECTION 11. The Tennessee student assistance corporation may promulgate rules to
effectuate Sections 1-8 of this act, including rules to establish scores on the Classic Learning
Test that are the concordant equivalent to scores achieved by students on the ACT or SAT.
The rules must be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act,
compiled in Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 5.
SECTION 12. This act takes effect July 1, 2025, the public welfare requiring it.