Starfish Flag Directory
Starfish flags help faculty and staff identify concerns, communicate with students, and connect students with timely support. This directory explains the active flags currently used at the college and when each flag should be used.
Some flags are raised manually by faculty or staff, while others are generated automatically based on enrollment, academic standing, or Canvas activity.
Academic Performance & Faculty Concern Flags
Faculty raise these flags to identify academic performance, engagement, or course-related concerns that may require outreach or intervention. Academic performance and faculty concern flags are organized into three levels based on the seriousness of the concern and the level of follow-up expected from Success Coaches and student support staff.
Understanding the Levels
|
Level |
Response Standard |
What the Level Means |
|---|---|---|
|
Level 1 - Early Concern |
Notify & Confirm |
An initial or routine concern that should be brought to the student’s attention. The coach contacts the student and asks the student to confirm receipt and understanding of the notice. One attempt to connect with the student is required for this level. |
|
Level 2 - Elevated Concern |
Engage & Take Action |
A pattern of concern or multiple indicators suggesting the student needs additional support. Multiple outreach attempts (at least two) are expected over the course of 5-10 days, along with specific action steps to address the concern. |
|
Level 3 - High-Priority Academic Concern |
Intervene & Coordinate |
A serious concern indicating that the student’s ability to successfully complete the course may be at significant risk. Coaches prioritize outreach, coordinate with faculty, and work with the student on a clear plan for moving forward. At least two attempts to contact via email. If student is not responsive via email, please contact the student via phone. These attempts should be made within 2-5 days. |
|
Faculty Raised Flags |
Level |
When to Use / What It Means |
|---|---|---|
|
Course Alert (custom) |
Level 1 |
Faculty may use this flag to alert a student to an issue in their course and write their own email to the student. |
|
General Concern |
Level 1 |
Faculty may use this flag to express any academic concerns about a student. They should write specific notes as to why this flag was raised. |
|
Missing/Late Assignments |
Level 2 |
Faculty may raise this when a student has a pattern of missing or late assignments. |
|
Low Quiz/Test Scores |
Level 2 |
Faculty may raise this when a student has a pattern of poor grades on quizzes or exams. |
|
Student Engagement Concern |
Level 2 |
This flag replaces the previous attendance concern flag. Faculty can raise it when the student has had little or no engagement with the course. |
|
Early Course Alert |
Level 2 |
Faculty should use this when there are concerns about attendance, missing/late assignments, and low quiz/test scores. It is intended to replace raising three individual flags and is best raised prior to the 50% point of the term. Faculty should write notes with this flag so students and support staff know exactly what the issues are. |
|
Substantial Change Needed to Pass Course |
Level 3 |
Faculty should raise this when a student is at academic risk but, with substantial change, has a possibility of passing the course. |
|
In Danger of Failing |
Level 3 |
Faculty should raise this when a student is in danger of failing a course and it’s suggested they withdraw from the course. |
Coach Engagement and Closing the Loop
Each level includes direct coach outreach and requires the coach to close the loop in Starfish so faculty know the outcome of the intervention.
|
Level |
Response |
Coach Engagement |
Closing the Loop Example |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Level 1 |
Notify & Confirm |
Coach should contact the student to alert them that the flag was raised. Explain the concern and ask the student to acknowledge that they received and understand the communication. |
“Contacted student to alert them that a [flag name] flag was raised. Student confirmed receipt and understanding of the notice.” |
|
|
Level 2 |
Engage & Take Action |
Coach should make multiple attempts (at least 2 within 5-10 days) to reach the student. Once contact is made, discuss the concern, identify contributing issues, and establish specific action steps the student will take. Provide appropriate resources or referrals when needed. |
“Student contacted regarding Low Quiz/Test Scores flag. Student reported difficulty with the course material and said they were scheduling a tutoring session this week. Tutoring information was provided.” |
|
|
Level 3 |
Intervene & Coordinate |
Coach must prioritize outreach and coordinate with the faculty member (gather additional information such as what is needed to pass the course if that is not included with the flag). Clearly communicate the seriousness of the concern over the course of 2-5 days. If multiple email attempts are unsuccessful, attempt to call the student and leave a message with details of how to contact, if they do not answer. Work with the student to develop a detailed plan for how to move forward. |
“Spoke with student regarding In Danger of Failing flag. Student reported an extended hospitalization and significant missed coursework. Student was advised to consider withdrawal and was provided instructions for completing the withdrawal process.” |
|
|
Closing the loop should reflect the actual outcome of outreach and faculty should always be copied when clearing a flag (faculty will receive an email if they have notification enabled or they can log into Starfish and check their dashboard for updates). When a student does not respond, coaches should document the outreach attempts and indicate that no response was received. |
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Academic Standing Flags
These flags identify students on academic probation and are raised automatically once a student’s academic standing is updated to show they are on probation. Student receive automatic communication from Counseling about what steps to take if they are on Academic Probation. Once a student reaches good standing, the flag will automatically clear in Starfish.
|
Flag |
When to Use / What It Means |
|---|---|
|
Academic Probation Notification - Part-time Student |
Identifies part-time students who are on Academic Probation. |
|
Academic Probation Notification - Full-time Student |
Identifies full-time students who are on Academic Probation. |
Automated Course Inactivity Flags
These flags are generated automatically when a student has not logged into Canvas within the specified period for the course term. The flag will resolve automatically when the student logs into their courses.
|
Flag |
When to Use / What It Means |
|---|---|
|
Course Inactivity Mid-summer 7-week term |
Auto-raised when a student does not log into Canvas within 3 days of the start of the 7B term. |
|
Course Inactivity Late 7-week term |
Auto-raised when a student does not log into Canvas within 3 days of the start of the 7B term. |
|
Course Inactivity Late 10-Week Term |
Auto-raised when a student does not log into Canvas within 7 days of the start of the 10A term. |
|
Course Inactivity Early 7-week term |
Auto-raised when a student does not log into Canvas within 3 days of the start of the 7A term. |
|
Course Inactivity Early 10-week term |
Auto-raised when a student does not log into Canvas within 7 days of the start of the 10A term. |
|
Course Inactivity 15-week term (3) |
Auto-raised when a student does not log into Canvas within 7 days of the start of the 15A term. |
|
Course Inactivity 15-week term (2) |
Auto-raised when a student does not log into Canvas within 7 days of the start of the 15A term. |
|
Course Inactivity 14-week summer term |
Auto-raised when a student does not log into Canvas within 7 days of the start of the 14A term. |