UF Advisor Hot Topic: The Requirement Formerly Known as CLAST

by Robin Rossie

In 1984, the Florida Legislature mandated administration of the College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) to verify that all college sophomores were demonstrating basic skills in math and English. All students were required to sit for and pass the exam. Eventually, it was determined that the SAT/ACT was also an acceptable measure of math and English skills, as were grades earned in college-level math and English courses. Exemptions from CLAST were granted based on SAT/ACT and GPA in specified courses; waivers were granted (by committee decision) with extenuating circumstances.

In 2009, a cash-strapped Florida Legislature trimmed the state budget by discontinuing administration of the CLAST, but did not drop the requirement that students must demonstrate competence in math and English. So, CLAST as we’ve known it changed from a ‘test with exemptions’ to a ‘requirement involving no test.’ In essence, only exemptions or waivers would now satisfy the requirement. After months of negotiations, a final draft of expanded options to satisfy the requirement was adopted and ‘CLAST’ was renamed ‘CLASR.’

Standards for satisfying the CLASR are clearly stipulated. A majority of UF students have met the requirement with SAT, ACT, AP, or IB scores; however, a small population of students will have to meet the requirement through course enrollment or additional testing. Determining the most appropriate path for a student to take will require collaboration between the advisor and student. Dr. Mair, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Affairs, has tasked the Registrar’s Office with developing a standardized contract for college advisors to use when working with a student with a CLASR hold (placed at 45+ credit hours), and it is the advisor who will be able to lift that hold.

Please share your questions, tips, and tidbits on the BLOG.

Did you know…?

• CLEP is acceptable to meet the CLASR requirement but ONLY if non-redundant UF credit is awarded for the CLEP exam. This might work for a first-term freshman (fall and spring admits must submit scores before the end of first term of enrollment; summer admits before the end of fall), but not for established students. (Ditto for AP, IB, and AICE scores.)

• CPT (College Placement Test aka Computerized Placement Test) = ACCUPLACER. It’s available at UF and at Santa Fe College for a fee.

• Students can repeat the SAT/ACT even if already in college. The CPT/ACCUPLACER is a less expensive option than the SAT/ACT and is offered with much more frequency than the SAT/ACT.