- Florida Governor DeSantis is focusing on public universities as part of a campaign against an “awakened” ideology.
- In January, Mr. DeSantis made new appointments to the Board of Trustees of the New College of Florida.
- The Trustees will abolish the Equity and Inclusion position and accept alternatives to the Christian SAT.
Gov. Ron DeSantis is bringing his campaign against “wake ideology” to higher education, targeting small public universities known for their LGBT-friendly communities.
His goal is the New College of Florida, a liberal arts school of less than 700 students just outside Sarasota, Florida.
DeSantis in January appointed Six conservative educational leaders joined the school board of trustees, which consisted of a total of 13 members. The newly appointed board in February has hired a new president, Richard Corcoran, according to the company. herald tribune. Corcoran previously served on the Florida Board of Education under the DeSantis administration, where he opposed teachers’ unions and advocated for greater parental influence in schools.
Under Corcoran’s leadership, the New College of Florida eliminated the school’s Outreach and Inclusive Excellence Department. APs reports that it will now accept faith-based alternative SAT exams centered on “great classics and Christian traditions.”
Insider previously said the test, known as the Classic Learning Test (CLT), billed It is said to be “more intellectually rich and rigorous than other standardized tests and university entrance exams” and is mainly used in private schools and home learning environments.
Test questions are structured similarly to SAT and ACT questions and include faith-based texts and thematic reading comprehension questions.
The test’s founder, Jeremy Tate, has previously said he didn’t want the CLT to become a “Trumpish or conservative test,” but the CLT now has several tests in the state, including the Reformation. accepted in lieu of SAT scores at religious institutions. Bible College and Trinity Baptist College.
New College of Florida is the first public school in Florida to accept the CLT as an alternative to other standardized tests. The university’s endorsement of the test paves the way for its use over other tests regulated by the College Board, the nonprofit that oversees the SAT.
Mr Corcoran said: statement We have announced a change to allow SAT and ACT scores to be accepted in addition to the CLT.
“Not only is this a great opportunity for New College, but with the growing popularity of CLT among homeschoolers and classically educated students in Florida, this is also an educational choice in our state. We believe it will be an exciting step for freedom and freedom,” Corcoran said in a statement. .
herald tribune The change prompted an outcry from students who hosted their own graduation ceremony and booed Scott Atlas, who spoke at the official ceremony. Atlas was a special adviser to President Trump’s White House during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor DeSantis and representatives of the New College of Florida did not immediately respond to an insider’s request for comment.