The test that thinks differently: Inside CLT’s classical approach

Chalk and Code

In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Theron Davis welcomes Dr. Tim Wiens, a seasoned educator and President of the Academic Advisory Board at Classic Learning Test (CLT). With decades of experience in innovation in K–12 and higher education, Dr. Wiens shares how CLT is challenging the dominance of the SAT and ACT, not just with a different exam, but with an entirely different philosophy.

At the heart of CLT is a return to classical education: reading great texts, developing analytical thinking, and connecting knowledge with virtue. Tim discusses how this mission-driven assessment model is creating space for deeper, more meaningful learning, and how it could redefine college readiness, civic education, AI in education, and the role of digital learning tools.

If you’ve ever questioned what standardized testing is really measuring, or what it should be, this conversation will get you thinking.

Key Moments

05:44 Revisiting Education's Purpose

08:23 "CLT's 10th Anniversary Celebration"

10:44 Cultivating Truth, Beauty, and Goodness

16:46 Evolving Role of Student Assessments

19:58 Diverse Advisory Board's Strategic Role

22:47 Expanding Education Testing Options

25:12 Embracing AI in Education

29:17 "AI, Education, and Human Connection"

32:50 Deep Learning's Role in Civil Discourse

36:18 "Rethinking Relational Education"

Why You’ll Love This Episode

You’ll hear Dr. Wiens articulate a bold vision for returning assessments to their original purpose: to reflect what matters most in learning. He makes the case for integrating timeless principles like truth, beauty, and goodness into modern assessment, and explains why this approach might be exactly what today’s fragmented education system needs.

Expect insights on:

• The limits of “college-and-career ready” models

• The power of formative assessment rooted in deep thinking

• How CLT is serving both classical and public school systems

• What AI in education means for student learning, and why it can’t replace the human element

Connect with Dr. Tim Wiens

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-wiens-587a316
• CLT: https://www.cltexam.com/

Connect with Us

• Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexion-inc
• Company Website: https://flexion.us/

If this conversation sparked a new idea or challenged your assumptions, share this episode with a colleague and subscribe for more thoughtful discussions at the intersection of learning, leadership, and educational technology.

Join us next time on Chalk and Code, where the science of learning meets modern technology.