Texas Welcomes Classic Learning Test
Helping clients enter and win in the nation’s most dynamic market.
- Related Services:
- Lobbying
- , Consulting
“They’re the best lobbyists in the most dynamic state market for our company.” – Jeremy Tate, Founder & CEO of Classic Learning Initiatives
The Problem
For years, Texas’ market for college entrance exams was closed to competition. In September 2025, we successfully collaborated with legislative champions to open the market by passing SB 1241. The law granted the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) the authority to approve any rigorous and reliable college entrance exam and to define the score needed to earn automatic admission. This was a huge win, but good laws can fall apart during implementation. Administrative processes can be obscure. Agency staff have many competing priorities. And companies seeking policy updates still must deliver critical information to agency policymakers, which is a significant challenge, especially to companies located outside Texas.
Our Approach
To identify high-quality college entrance exams, lawmakers tasked THECB with conducting an independent third-party study. Through our advocacy, our client was recognized as a key stakeholder and was invited to submit documents to inform the study on the day an RFD was issued, a critical advantage because our client needed to submit a substantial amount of information on a tight deadline. Moreover, we mapped the THECB policymaking process and public university leaders whose support would be critical to ultimate success. Finally, we consistently advocated for efficient implementation by SB 1241’s deadlines.
Breakthrough Solutions
After mapping stakeholders, we scheduled briefings with public university leaders who oversee systems educating the majority of Texas undergraduates. We met with leaders at the level of Regents, Chancellors, Vice Chancellors, Chief Enrollment Officers, and Provosts. Introductory conversations allowed our client to introduce their good work and gave our team an opportunity to explain the new state policy and each system’s role in its implementation. Moreover, we collaborated with SB 1241’s legislative champions and helped them continue to champion THECB approval for CLT. Finally, we helped our client’s executive leaders successfully prepare and deliver testimony before the THECB Board and Commissioner. As a result, in July 2026, THECB issued guidance to public university Chancellors and Presidents, stating that the Classic Learning Test is “of sufficient rigor and reliability to be used as criterion for college admissions in this state,” and that: “Institutions may currently consider standardized testing scores, including the CLT, as a factor in making admission decisions…” This immediate approval applies to students up to the 75th percentile of their graduating class. Final rules regarding auto admissions of top students will be considered no later than Jan. 2027.
In 2 years, we helped our client enter the most dynamic market in the US.