Bill limits repeat classes

“Third time’s a charm” no longer applies to courses taken at any of the Dallas County Community colleges.

In 2002, legislation was passed allowing schools to charge additional fees for courses attempted more than two times. On June 18, Governor Perry signed House Bill 994, which limits students to two chances at a class. Students who take a class three or more times within the DCCCD will be charged an additional $50 to cover the costs that the state does not pay for after a student’s second attempt.

Surrounding community colleges, such as Collin County and Tarrant County colleges, have limited students to two attempts per class only, and raised their tuition. However, the DCCCD has been allowing students to continue taking classes beyond the second attempt, and reimbursing the state.

“Our district is financially conservative and looks out for the students,” said Mary Ciminelli. “The board is very cognitive of students and their financial situations. We wanted the opportunity to see if we could handle it, but after two years and $2 million in reimbursement to the state, it began to hurt us and our programs,” she said.

Year after year the state decreases funding for education and the odds of a student enrolling in a class for the third time goes up. “You have to figure out how you’re going to keep your doors open when funding is cut,” said Ciminelli. “We need to do a better job of educating students. The key is to help students understand how to plan realistically.”

Ciminelli said that the only problem with this law is that there are no appeals. “It doesn’t take into account extenuating circumstances,” she said. For instance, she said, if you get sick or if you have a family emergency, you need to drop the class.

There are approximately 50 courses that can be taken more than twice. This includes all developmental courses, some continuing education classes, and some credit classes.

If a student withdraws from a course that is available for credit and continuing education, it is counted as two attempts, whereas withdrawing from a credit-only class is counted as one attempt.

The twelfth class day is certification day, which means that it is the official recorded day of enrollment by the state. At that point, the school is then reimbursed for each student. So, if a class has not been dropped by the twelfth class day, a “W” will be on the official transcript and will count as one attempt.

“Maybe this will help students be more conscientious,” said Ciminelli.

Before Perry signed HB 944, students were notified in the Advising office of the pending bill and that there could be additional fees. “I’ve been warning the students for at least a year,” said Ciminelli.

Now that the bill has been signed, students are warned there is an additional $50 charge for third attempts. Advisors have been warned to talk to students during registration, and in self-registration there are animated graphic warnings notifying students of additional fees.

For more information on HB 994 or to see a list of repeatable courses, visit www.dcccd.edu/Current+Students/
Paying+for+College/Third+Course+Attempt/,
or call North Lake Admissions at 972-273-3000.