We find that students respond best to referrals when the faculty member has discussed tutoring services with the student before raising a flag in Starfish. Many students hear “referral” and think something is wrong, so it’s essential to emphasize both the benefits of tutoring and that successful students routinely seek academic support.

Here are some talking points we have found effective:

• Jefferson offers free tutoring/help with research and writing at the Learning Commons.
• Many students use these free services and find them helpful.
• Every student experiences challenges in their classes from time to time. Tutoring is one way to get help with those challenges.
• At the Learning Commons, you can meet with a peer tutor, who is also a Jefferson student.
• The tutor can help you with study skills/help you work on your writing assignments.
• Tutoring can help you meet your goals for our class.
• Would you like me to contact the tutoring center for you? They will be glad to help.

Finally, before making a referral, consider whether tutoring is the best solution. For example, if the student is not attending class or turning in assignments, tutoring is unlikely to help. Students who are putting effort into your course are most likely to benefit from working with a tutor or librarian.

Starfish – Raise a Flag

To raise a flag on one or multiple students:

1. Log into Starfish and select “Students” from the three lines drop down menu.
2. Click “My Students”.
   • You may want to limit the “Connection” to your class roster.
3. Select the student(s) name.
   • One Student – click the student’s name to navigate to the student’s folder or click the checkbox to the left of the student’s name.
   • Multiple Students – select the checkbox to the left of each desired students’ names.
   • Entire List – select the checkbox at the top of the list of names.
4. Select the desired option from the button bar at the top (flag or referral).
5. On the form displayed, select the desired item to be raised from the drop-down list.
   • Only items that you have permissions to add for the student(s) will display.
6. Enter notes in the comment box if desired.
   • These notes will be visible to those with a role/relationship to the student (Heading in the light blue box under the comment box.)
   • The comment will be available within the student’s folder.
     1. Under the Tracking tab, associated with the item.
     2. On the Notes tab.