Starfish Early Alert Guide
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Early Alert activities provide faculty with opportunities to recognize student achievements, identify concerns, and connect students with support resources throughout the semester. This guide explains Montgomery College's Early Alert approach and how faculty can participate through Progress Surveys in Starfish.
Learn how Early Alert helps connect students with support and resources throughout the semester.
Purpose of Early Alert
Early Alert helps create opportunities for students to receive support, encouragement, and feedback throughout the semester.
Faculty and staff may use Early Alert activities to:
- Recognize student achievements
- Identify concerns
- Connect students with support resources
- Encourage engagement
- Support informed decision-making
Early Alert Is More Than a Progress Survey
Progress Surveys are one part of Montgomery College's broader effort to understand student needs, encourage engagement, and connect students with support throughout the semester.
Why Faculty Participation Matters
Faculty are often among the first people to notice changes in:
- Attendance
- Participation
- Assignment completion
- Academic progress
- Engagement with course activities
Sharing observations through Early Alert can help students receive timely encouragement, information about support resources, and opportunities to take action.
Faculty Observations Matter
Early Alert is intended to complement, not replace, direct communication between faculty and students.
What Happens After Feedback Is Submitted?
Depending on the feedback provided, students may receive recognition, recommendations, To Dos, referrals, or requests to share additional information. Information may also be available in Starfish to members of the student's support network, including counselors, program advisors, success coaches, navigators, Learning Center staff, and others who support student success and follow-up efforts.
Feedback Is One Part of the Process
Faculty contribute by sharing observations and recommendations. Students decide whether and how to engage with the resources and opportunities available to them, and members of the student support network may use this information to provide additional guidance, outreach, and support.
Review the Fall 2026 Early Alert timeline and opportunities for faculty participation.
This semester includes opportunities to gather information, share feedback, recognize student achievements, identify concerns, and connect students with support throughout the term. Some activities occur before classes begin, while others provide opportunities for feedback and follow-up at key points during the semester.
Support Begins Before the First Day of Class
The Welcome Questionnaire gives students an opportunity to share information about their goals, questions, and support needs before classes begin.
What's New This Fall?
- More opportunities to share feedback earlier in the semester
- New ways for students to share their experiences and support needs
- Support recommendations that are more closely aligned with course needs
- Additional opportunities to understand what is helping students succeed
September 14-21, 2026
The Early Indicators Progress Survey provides an opportunity to share observations about student engagement early in the semester.
Observations might include:
- Attendance patterns
- Assignment completion
- Participation
- Engagement with course activities
The goal is to help students connect with support and make adjustments while there is still time to benefit from those efforts.
Early Indicators Focus on Engagement
Feedback does not need to be based solely on grades. Attendance, participation, assignment
completion, and other signs of engagement can provide valuable insight early in the
semester.
New for Fall 2026: Let's Check In
As part of the Early Indicators Progress Survey, faculty may recommend that a student complete a brief Student Check-In Questionnaire.
Student responses may provide additional context and help identify opportunities for support.
How is your semester going?
The Student Check-In Questionnaire gives students an opportunity to share their perspective and support needs in their own words.
Beginning October 22, 2026
Midterm grades provide another opportunity to identify students who may benefit from additional support, outreach, or conversations about next steps.
November 2-9, 2026
The Later Term Indicators Progress Survey provides another opportunity to share observations and recommendations later in the semester.
At this point in the semester, students may be considering:
- Their progress in the course
- Available support resources
- Whether to continue in the course
- Plans for successfully completing the semester
Recommendations may include both general student support services and course-specific resources.
Before You Submit
Consider whether you would be comfortable if the student read the comment exactly as written.
Explore examples and considerations related to providing feedback through Early Alert.
Professional Judgment Matters
Early Alert is intended to support, not replace, the professional judgment of faculty. The examples and considerations in this guide are intended as a resource and may not apply in every situation.
Faculty observe students in different ways and at different points in the semester. There is no single threshold for providing feedback. Information that may seem minor on its own can sometimes provide helpful context when combined with information from other courses or support areas.
Multiple options may be appropriate depending on a student's circumstances. The goal is not to select the "right" category, but to share information that may help connect students with support, encouragement, or resources when appropriate.
Comments are optional and may provide helpful context for students and members of the student support network.
If you choose to add comments:
- Keep comments brief and focused on information that may be helpful to the student or those supporting them.
- Depending on the type of feedback selected, comments may be visible to the student, members of the student support network, or both.
- Comments entered in Starfish may be viewable by the student and others supporting the student and may become part of the student's educational record.
There is no required format for comments. In many situations, a brief observation, concern, achievement, or recommendation may be sufficient.
Examples:
- "I noticed you have not submitted the last two assignments and wanted to check in.
- "I encourage you to attend office hours to discuss strategies for success in the course."
- "You have shown strong participation in class discussions and are making good progress."
- "You may find it helpful to connect with available academic support resources as you prepare for upcoming assignments."
Before You Submit
Consider whether you would be comfortable if the student read the comment exactly as written.
Follow step-by-step instructions for accessing, completing, and submitting Progress Surveys.
Before You Begin
- Progress Surveys are only visible during an active survey period.
- Available feedback options may vary throughout the semester.
- The examples shown in this guide may not exactly match the options available in a particular survey.
Need a Quick Walkthrough?
Watch a brief Progress Surveys Orientation Video
Steps to Complete a Progress Survey
When a Progress Survey is open, select the Progress Survey link from your Starfish homepage or navigate to the Students area in Starfish.
If multiple surveys are available, select the appropriate course section from the survey list.
The survey includes instructions, available feedback options, a student roster, and tools to help you review and complete the survey.
The legend below explains the indicators shown in the student roster screenshot. For assistance identifying an indicator, please submit a Starfish Assistance Request Form new window.
a. Displays the title of the survey.
b. Displays the date and time the survey was last saved.
c. Displays the survey due date.
d. Displays survey instructions and context.
e. Search for a specific student within the survey.
f. Select the Information (i) button to view details about each feedback option, including
when it should be used, what students may receive, and who can view the information.
g. Select RESET to clear all work completed in the survey and start over.
h. Select the plus (+) icon to add an optional comment for a selected feedback item.
i. Select SUBMIT when you are ready to submit your responses for the course section. Once submitted,
responses can no longer be edited.
Review Feedback Definitions Before You Begin
Select the Information (i) button to review the purpose of each feedback option before making selections. Feedback options may result in different outcomes, including recognition, recommendations, requests for additional information, or information shared with members of the student support network.
Review the available feedback options and select those that best reflect your observations.
Different options may result in recognition, recommendations, requests for additional information, or information shared with members of the student support network.
| Feedback Option | Category | Student Receives | Consider Using When... | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meeting Expectations | Recognition | No communication | A student is progressing as expected and you would like to acknowledge that progress. | Optional |
| Great Start! | Recognition | Recognition message from the instructor | A student is demonstrating strong engagement, participation, effort, progress, or achievement early in the semester. | Optional |
| Attendance / Engagement Concern | Concern | No communication | You want to share an attendance or engagement concern with members of the student support network as additional context. | Optional |
| Attend Office Hours | Recommendation | Recommendation to attend office hours | A direct conversation with the student may help clarify concerns, answer questions, discuss progress, or identify next steps. | Optional |
| Let's Check In | Recommendation | Student Check-In Questionnaire invitation | Additional information from the student may help members of the student support network identify challenges, support needs, or opportunities for follow-up. | |
| Use Student Supports | Recommendation | Information about available support resources and services | You believe the student may benefit from tutoring, coaching, counseling, advising, or other support resources. |
Multiple options may be appropriate depending on a student's circumstances. The goal is not to select the "right" category, but to share information that may help students receive support, encouragement, or resources when appropriate.
Avoid selecting every available option. In many situations, one or two thoughtfully selected options will communicate the most useful information and provide students with a clearer, more focused experience.
The examples below illustrate what students may receive for selected feedback options.
Shared with: Members of the student support network who have appropriate access in Starfish. Provides additional context regarding attendance or engagement concerns that may affect success in the course.
This item does not generate a communication to the student.
Information is available to authorized members of the student support network and may be considered alongside other available information about the student.
Instructor comments, when provided, may offer additional context regarding:
- Attendance patterns
- Participation concerns
- Missed assignments
- Course engagement
- Other observations relevant to the concern
Example instructor comment:
The student has missed the last three class meetings and has not submitted recent assignments. I have not received communication regarding the absences.
Student receives: Recognition of progress and engagement along with an encouraging message.
Student receives:
- Recognition of progress and engagement
- Encouraging message from the instructor
- Visibility to appropriate members of the student's support network
Example Student Communication:
Student receives: A recommendation to attend office hours and suggestions for making the visit productive.
Student receives:
- Recommendation to attend office hours
- Suggestions for preparing for the meeting
- Information about how to follow up after meeting with the instructor
Example Student Communication:
Student receives: Information about available support resources and services that may help support success in the course.
Student receives:
- Information about available support resources and services
- Recommendations related to tutoring, coaching, counseling, advising, and other student supports
- Links to relevant resources
Example Student Communication:
An invitation to complete a brief Student Check-In Questionnaire and share information about their semester experience.
Student receives:
- An invitation to complete a brief Student Check-In Questionnaire
- An opportunity to share successes, challenges, and support needs
- A chance to provide additional context about their semester experience
Students who receive a Let's Check In recommendation are invited to complete a brief questionnaire about their semester experience. Their responses may help members of the student support network better understand challenges, support needs, and opportunities for follow-up.
Example Student Communication:
Comments are optional and may provide additional context.
To add a comment, select the comment icon associated with the selected feedback item.
Additional Context Is Optional
Progress Surveys can be submitted with or without comments.
Responses are automatically saved while you work. If necessary, you may leave the survey and return later before submitting.
When you have finished reviewing the roster and selecting feedback, submit the survey.
After submission:
- Students and others supporting the student may begin receiving related communications, recommendations, or follow-up information.
- The survey can no longer be edited.
Ready to Submit?
If you have reviewed the roster and provided any feedback you wish to share, submit the survey to complete the process.
What Happens After I Submit?
Depending on the feedback selected, students and members of the student's support network may receive notifications, recommendations, or other information related to the feedback provided. Processing may take some time after the survey is submitted.
Find resources, training materials, and support related to Early Alert and Progress Surveys.
Early Alert & Retention Strategy
Learn more about the broader approach to identifying student needs, connecting students with support, and promoting student success throughout the semester.
Learn More About the Early Alert & Retention Strategy
Questions About Early Alert?
- For questions about Progress Surveys or Starfish, use the Request Starfish Assistance form.
- For questions about expectations, practices, or the use of Early Alert within your academic area, contact your department chair or dean.
Feedback Can Happen in Different Ways
Progress Surveys provide structured opportunities to share feedback during designated survey periods. Faculty may also choose to communicate with students directly or provide feedback through other methods when appropriate.