New Legislation Proposal

Rep. Mary Miller, a Republican from Illinois, has taken a significant step in the realm of educational reform by introducing the Promoting Classical Learning Act of 2025. This piece of legislation, presented to the House on November 7, aims to overhaul admission processes at U.S. service academies and federally operated secondary schools through the implementation of a standardized test grounded in classical learning principles.

Details of the Act

The proposed legislation mandates that prestigious institutions such as West Point, the Naval Academy, and the Air Force Academy accept the Classic Learning Test (CLT) alongside traditional admissions tests like the SAT and ACT. In addition, it compels federally-operated schools to administer the CLT to students in the 11th grade, ensuring a standardized method of evaluation that emphasizes classical education.

A Vision for Education

In an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital, Miller articulated her vision: “America’s service academies should represent the highest ideals of our nation — courage, integrity, and intellect. The Classic Learning Test upholds those same ideals.” This statement underscores her belief that education must align with the fundamental principles that contribute to a strong and capable leadership in America.

Critique of Current Educational Standards

Miller, alongside her supporters, critiques the College Board, the organization behind the SAT and ACT, for purportedly exerting pressure on schools to adopt left-leaning curricula while neglecting conservative educational materials. Her office has pointed out that the CLT serves as a validation for the educational choices made by millions of families across the country who prefer classical and home-schooling educational models.

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Bipartisan Support and Future Implications

The legislation has garnered attention not only in the House but also in the Senate, courtesy of Rep. Miller’s partnership with Sen. Jim Banks, a Republican from Indiana. Should the bill pass, it will require both the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) and the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) to implement the CLT for all 11th-grade students within their respective school systems.

A Step Backward in Educational Reform?

According to Miller’s office, this proposal aligns with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s earlier directive that military academies accept the CLT starting in the 2027 admissions cycle, a policy announcement made by the Pentagon in September 2025. This move could symbolize a shift in educational standards, positioning classical learning as a crucial facet of academic assessment in some of the country’s most esteemed educational institutions.

Understanding the Classic Learning Test

The Classic Learning Test, established in 2015 by Jeremy Tate, assesses crucial aspects such as reading, writing, and math skills through classical texts derived from the Western canon. It has emerged as a notable alternative to the Common Core-aligned SAT and ACT, appealing to those who advocate for a more classical approach to education.

In recent years, over 320 colleges and universities across the nation have begun accepting CLT scores, with states such as Florida and Arkansas incorporating the exam into their public school systems. As of September 2023, more than 120,000 students in Florida alone have undertaken the test, indicating a rising trend towards alternative educational assessments.

Challenging Educational Monopolies

Miller’s office has accused the College Board of operating as a “taxpayer-funded monopoly” that influences school curricula without accountability. By introducing the Promoting Classical Learning Act, Miller seeks to disrupt this monopoly and broaden access to classical testing methods for federal school students, presenting a rigorous and standards-oriented alternative rooted in logic and timeless literature.

The Future of the Promoting Classical Learning Act

As the conversation surrounding education in America continues to evolve, the Promoting Classical Learning Act stands as a potential turning point for federal education policy. Although the Pentagon has yet to respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital, the implications of this legislation could pave the way for a renaissance in how educational institutions assess and promote learning in the U.S.