The Early Alert System at Otero Junior College is a successful program funded through the Carl Perkins Basic Grant to help strengthen institutional accountability by meeting students’ entry level needs and fostering the retention of as many students as possible. The primary focus is the development of a computerized system designed to identify “at risk” students as early as possible in the semester that would benefit from additional advising and assistance. Examples of the instruction sheet for this program and a sample form are available in Section V.

The Early Alert Project plan addresses the following:

1. Provides faculty and instructors with the means to identify students who are in need of advising and career or academic support as soon as possible during the semester.



2. Links students with faculty/instructors, academic support programs, group study circles, and study skill workshops.



3. Improves the communication process among students, support programs, and faculty/instructors.



4. Gives faculty/instructors continual follow-up from student progress in tutoring and counseling.



5. Refers students to other agencies if special problems exist.