Sangamon Sun

Mary Miller, U.S. Representative for Illinois' 15th Congressional District, announced her Promoting Classical Learning Act on the social media platform X. She said that the act aims to ensure military academies adopt the Classical Learning Test (CLT) as a merit-based standard focusing on intellect and character.

"Under Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Military academies have started to accept the CLT as a standard for academic excellence," said Mary E. Miller, U.S. Representative from Illinois. "I introduced the Promoting Classical Learning Act with Senator Jim Banks to ensure this standard is here to stay. Aptitude tests should measure intellect and character, not ideology!"

The CLT is poised to be accepted by U.S. military service academies starting with the 2027 admissions cycle. This marks a notable shift in federal education and admissions policy, as these institutions have traditionally only accepted the SAT and ACT. According to Politico, this change signifies growing support for alternative testing methods favored by classical-education advocates.

Official materials from the CLT indicate that over 300 colleges and universities currently accept CLT scores in their admissions processes. A bill introduced in the House of Representatives would mandate that U.S. service academies accept the CLT alongside traditional tests like the SAT and ACT, as reported by the Daily Signal.

Although comprehensive demographic or performance-outcome data comparing students admitted through the CLT versus those admitted via SAT/ACT is limited, a review by CollegeVine notes that nearly 200 colleges will accept the CLT by 2024. The review also points out that this test is more prevalent at small, private, religious institutions, suggesting a different demographic profile for CLT users compared to traditional test-takers.

Miller has served as U.S. Representative since January 2021 and is a member of both the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Education & Workforce. In November 2025, she introduced the "Promoting Classical Learning Act," which seeks to require service academies to accept the CLT.