Whereas, in the summer of 2012, when California community colleges were turning away hundreds of thousands of students due to budget shortfalls, the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, in the context of a cost-benefit framework, restricted repeatability for nearly all courses in order to prioritize basic skills, certificate and degree attainment, and transfer preparation; and

Whereas, the lack of repeatability of arts, humanities, kinesiology, foreign languages, ESL, and other courses at community colleges has resulted in lower enrollment and fewer offerings to support demand; and

Whereas, many community colleges are currently suffering reduced funding due to declining enrollment, which contributes to reduced services and access for students in need; and

Whereas, repeatability restrictions exacerbate the opportunity gap for students by limiting access for those students who would benefit from repeating courses to build job skills, leading to better job opportunities, improved wages, and improved quality of life; and

Whereas, arts, athletics, shop, and other vocational programs have been restricted or eliminated in middle schools and high schools resulting in students who have had little or no practice or training in these subjects and are therefore not adequately prepared to succeed in college-level courses; and

Whereas, lack of repeatability in skill-building courses severely impacts the ability of students to transfer as majors into programs which select students based on demonstrated workplace skills, performance skills, production skills, and portfolios that meet admissions standards; and

Whereas, the community college mission historically included access for all learners at various life stages, including working adults who need to upskill or reskill along their career pathway, continuing students and retirees, providing ongoing education and agency for the community; and

Whereas, California Community Colleges have built extensive depth and breadth of educational programs for decades that contribute to a skilled, progressive workforce; fostering a creative, innovative, informed citizenry capable of critical thought; promoting equity and unity, health, and lifelong learning; nourishing a diverse, multi-generational context in which all Californians can learn and grow; and in these ways providing an essential component in the social fabric of our state; and

Whereas, California Community Colleges have been uniquely successful in this mission; and

Whereas, it has become evident in the context of the current pandemic that the very health of our communities depends on access to education for all;

Therefore, be it resolved, that educators continue to support access to quality community college education by ending repeatability restrictions on select courses; and

Be it further resolved, that the CFT work in consultation with the Board of Governors of California Community Colleges to increase repeatability options needed for student access and success across disciplines; and

Be it finally resolved, that CFT work towards legislative solutions for ending repeatability restrictions and supporting equitable and broad access to high-quality education as ordained in the California Master Plan for Higher Education.
 

• Passed by State Council on March 19, 2022
• Submitted by the Higher Education Issues Committee