Early Action at CU Denver
Early Action at CU DENVER
CU Denver is using EAB's success and retention platform, Navigate, to implement the high-impact practice of Early Action, formerly called Early Alert. Faculty and advisors are able to use this platform to communicate about student needs and ensure our students receive the support they need to succeed.
If you have any questions, please contact us at success.initiatives@ucdenver.edu.
Early Action
74% of public universities nationwide use an early alert system. Why? Because it’s a way of caring for students that has the result of increasing student GPA, continuation, and completion. Student non-attendance and poor early grades are proven predictors of attrition. With Early Action, faculty can identify students that are missing classes or not performing well, and then support staff can reach out to them.The result is more students completing courses and finishing degrees.This is a high impact practice that we will continue to utilize as we track the impact of Early Action on retention and graduation.
When should I submit an Early Action report vs. CARE Report?
Submit Early Action when a student:
- Has multiple absences or very little engagement in class
- Needs additional academic assistance through the Learning Resources Center or other academic support office
- Has incomplete assignments or multiple low scores
- Needs help with accessing or using technology
Submit a CARE report when a student:
- Exhibits any substantial change in behavior, mood, or appearance
- Fails to maintain academic boundaries in and out of the classroom
- Expresses significant personal or family problems in conversations, emails, or assignments
- Has experienced a death/significant illness of a family member or friend
- Has been hospitalized, injured, or is experiencing a significant illness
- Has indicated severe resource insecurity affecting access to housing, food, or any other basic needs
- *Please contact the CARE team at 303-315-7306 if you have any questions about CARE reports.
Early Action : How to Issue a Referral
WHY ISSUE A REFERRAL?
- It proactively notifies support staff that there are students that could benefit from extra support
- It helps students access additional support needed to improve their academic experience (workshops on study skills, time management, content tutoring, etc.)
- Improve student success in the first year -the earlier we know a student needs support the more likely we are able to provide resources that may lead to higher retention
- It allows academic advisors and support staff to identify students who are experiencing difficulties in many of their classes
- It helps develop a culture of student support and care here at CU Denver
WHEN DO I ISSUE A REFERRAL?
Fall 2021
First Week Absences Report: 8/27 - 9/6
Course Progress Report: 9/20 - 10/22
1st 8-Week Course Progress Report: 9/7 - 9/22
2nd 8-Week Course Progress Report: 10/29 - 11/17
ICB Course Progress Report: 10/4 - 11/3
REFERRALS FOR COURSE PROGRESS REPORT
Referral | Campus Resource Performing Outreach |
| Assignments or Tests Missing | Student Success Initiatives => Advisors as Needed |
| Low Attendance and Participation Pattern | Student Success Initiatives => Advisors as Needed |
| Student Needs Laptop/WiFi/Technology | Student Success Initiatives |
| Support Required to Improve Multiple Low Scores | Student Success Initiatives |
| Tutoring Suggested | Student Success Initiatives |
*The SEHD Student Success Center performs all outreach for SEHD students. Additionally, TRiO, VMSS, and ISSS are notified.
HOW DO I ISSUE A REFERRAL?
What is Early Action ?
Early Action is a referral-based student support program for faculty and staff to communicate and triage students to resources on campus that provide academic and administrative support. Early Action is one of the ways we try to support our students. It's an opportunity for instructors to communicate with students about resources on campus that can help support success in the course. It is a process that opens up the conversation between students, faculty and support staff so that together we can develop strategies for students to achieve their goals in courses and beyond.
How does Early Action help faculty?
Early Action assists faculty in partnering with campus resources to best assist students in academic difficulty whom need additional support on campus. Early Action is an added layer to the efforts of the professor to contact and offer aid to a student. In a review of fall 2020 data, students that ended up meeting with support services or attending workshops had higher term GPAs than those that received referrals and did not meet with support services.
How does Early Action help students?
Early Action helps students by connecting them to useful resources that will support them in their current situation. Efforts will be made to personally reach out to students by campus partners. Those partners consist of tutoring support offices, academic advisors and student success staff.
When is it appropriate to submit an Early Action Referral?
Fall 2021
First Week Absences Report: 8/27 - 9/6
Course Progress Report: 9/20 - 10/22
First 8-Week Course Progress Report: 9/7 - 9/22
Second 8-Week Course Progress Report: 10/29 - 11/17
ICB Course Progress Report: 10/4 - 11/3
You may also submit a referral at any point in the semester where you want to notify support staff that the student :
- Has multiple absences or very little engagement in class
- Needs additional academic assistance through the Learning Resources Center or other academic support office
- Has incomplete assignments or multiple low scores
- Needs help with accessing or using technology
What can I do if I am concerned about the behavioral or mental health of a student?
If you are concerned about a student and you need guidance please submit a CARE report.
How is this referral resolved?
The Student Success Initiatives team will be performing all triage and outreach to get students connected to the correct resource as efficiently as possible. We are focused on providing holistic academic and goal-oriented support to students with Early Action referrals. We will involve advisors only when deemed necessary, such as when a student needs to revisit their course schedule, investigate different majors, or consider dropping a class.
How should I communicate Early Action to my students?
We know that the relationship between faculty and students is deeply important to student success. We highly recommend you first talk to the student about their progress in your course and let them know to expect a phone call or email from support staff. Members of the SEP Project have also developed an insert that you can include in your syllabi:
Succeeding at college does not mean that you don’t struggle in a class or classes or during particular semesters. My goal as your instructor and our goal at CU Denver is to do all we can to support every student and facilitate their success. Early Action (Course Progress Report: CPR) is one of the ways we try to support our students. It’s a process by which individual courses can link you to campus supports and it’s a time for your instructors to let you know what changes you can make toward success in the course and engage in a learning partnership with you. This is a way to open up the conversation between you and your instructor so that together you can work out how to achieve your goals in the course.
Getting an Early Action communication is not an indication that you will not succeed in the course. It is a call to action. You might get an email or phone call. Please engage this process. Students who have taken advantage of resources offered them are able to move forward and succeed in the course.
Please log-in here to access your progress reports on Navigate: https://ucdenver.campus.eab.com/
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