SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Community Colleges Board of Governors on Monday heard regulatory changes that would make better use of state funds by preventing students from repeatedly enrolling in courses that they have already completed successfully.

The changes primarily focus on physical education, performing and visual arts classes that students had been allowed to take up to four times.

“Budget cuts have forced us to ration education, and we are currently turning away hundreds of thousands of students from our campuses that want to pursue a degree, transfer to a four-year university or get job training so they can get back into the workforce or advance in their current career,” California Community Colleges Board of Governors President Scott Himelstein said. “It doesn’t make sense for us to allow students to take the same physical education course four times on the taxpayer’s dime while we are closing our doors on those looking for a degree or seeking job skills.”

The recommended changes are intended to support the California Community Colleges Student Success Task Force goal of better aligning courses with student education plans and needs.

By not allowing students to needlessly repeat courses, colleges are able to focus course offerings directly to a student’s degree requirements.

“Restricting students’ ability to repeat state-subsidized courses in physical education and other classes will help all of us focus on the priorities of providing basic skills in English and mathematics, certificate and degree attainment and transfer preparation,” Chancellor Jack Scott said. “It used to be we could be all things to all people. Those days are gone, and now we have to focus on those with the greatest need.”

The new regulations, which were drafted with extensive input from the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges, will prohibit a student who successfully completes a class from repeating it, except under certain circumstances.

Students can repeat courses if it is required for transfer to the University of California or California State University, related to participation in intercollegiate athletics or is required for vocational or licensure reasons.

In July 2011, the board of governors adopted regulations that limited the number of times a student could repeat a class to make up for a substandard grade to three times. The new regulation changes focus on retaking classes that have already been successfully completed.

The regulation changes will go before the California Community Colleges Board of Governors for a second reading in July, and if approved then will take effect in the fall of 2013.

The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation composed of 72 districts and 112 colleges serving 2.6 million students per year. Community colleges supply workforce training, basic skills education and prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions. The Chancellor’s Office provides leadership, advocacy and support under the direction of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges.

For more information about the community colleges, please visit http://californiacommunitycolleges.cccco.edu .