ASU Mid-South | West Memphis, Arkansas

Early Alert System

Early Alert Program FAQ’s for Faculty
What is Early Alert?
The Early Alert program at ASU Mid-South is a systematic and collaborative effort between faculty, staff, and the Learning Success Center designed to improve student success rates. The goal of Early Alert is to promote and increase academic persistence, retention, and success by intervening early in the semester for students who are struggling personally or in their classes. Identification and referral of students who are struggling in their courses in the first weeks of the semester may help them connect with services that can support their academic needs, and at times their personal lives as well.
What is the purpose of Early Alert?
The purpose of the Early Alert is to identify and effectively intervene with students who are exhibiting at-risk academic and social behaviors.
What is the faculty role in Early Alert?
As a faculty member, your role is to identify students who may need assistance. Faculty can provide feedback on students who are struggling (or congratulate those who are doing well) at any time. The faculty member should first try to talk to the student about the problem. If other help is needed, then a flag is raised in Starfish (found inside Canvas). See instructions below.
What kind of problems should trigger an Early Alert notice?
  • Missing or incomplete assignments
  • Classroom participation issues
  • Excessive absences and/or tardiness
  • Low exam and/or quiz scores
  • Knowledge of personal or family difficulties (i.e. financial, death in the family, etc.)
  • Change in demeanor
What happens after I submit and Early Alert?

1. The Early Alert is raised in Starfish. The student receives an email and the advisor is notified.
2. The advisor reaches out to the student to have a conversation about the problem.
3. When the advisor talks to the student – or tries twice over two weeks – then the flag is closed with the appropriate reason.
4. The instructor who raised the flag can look at the student’s records in Starfish and see the follow-up.

Here are the basic steps for our early alert process:

  1. Log into Canvas, click on your picture (Account) and choose Starfish from the drop-down menu.
  2. Click on the 3-line menu in the top left and choose students.
  3. Filter students by class under Connection, check a box for a student you want to submit for early alert, then click “+Flag” at the top.
  4. Choose the appropriate flag from the drop down list, chose the class from the drop down list, type any additional information you want to include, click Save.

You can also send positive messages (called “Kudos”) and refer students to campus services using the same method!

Early Alert Guide