Student Transition, Retention and Success
The STaRS project was established in 2013 to provide support and oversight to the planning and implementation of initiatives and activities to support student transition, progression, and retention.
STaRS facilitates a number School-based transition and retention actions, in addition to coordinating a 'functional network' of STaRS Coordinators. Each School has Academic and Professional STaRS Coordinators who act as the conduit for the sharing of information between Schools and across the whole of the institution as well as fulfilling the 'touch point' for School staff regarding transition and retention.
A further goal of the STaRS project is supporting and advancing the evidence base underpinning strategy development and evaluation, as well as promoting scholarly outcomes through the STaRS Program of Research. STaRS also facilitates a Community of Practice for STaRS Coordinators and others interested in transition and retention. A list of current School STaRS Coordinators can be found on the STaRS Community of Practice (opens in a new window) page (Staff log-in required).
Connect and collaborate with Georgie Avard, Lecturer, Learning Transformations or Dr Valeria Pashkova, Project Officer, Transformation Pedagogies.
More Information
1. The 8 Guiding Principles for STaRS
Sector best practice, supported by a comprehensive body of research and theory demonstrates the imperative for an institution wide coordinated approach to the first year experience and transition (Kift, Nelson & Clarke, 2010), otherwise described as a Third Generation approach (Lizzio, 2009; Kift, 2009). Such an approach needs to connect curricular and co-curricular strategies and initiatives so as to enable a congruent and cohesive experience for students. This approach is exemplified in the
STaRS Guiding Principles (PDF, 371.67 KB)(opens in a new window).
2. More about STaRS
At Western, STaRS currently:
> Provides resources and share best-practice ideas for enhancing the transition of new students to the University, and their successful progression through to completion;
> Facilitates information flow and coordinates planning between Schools and other University areas to promote a coherent and connected student experience;
> Connects service providers, and coordinates initiatives and activities across the University so as to maximise awareness, synergies and their effective use;
> Works in partnership with the Office of Quality and Performance to ensure high quality data to inform planning, evaluate outcomes and facilitate the use of such data;
> Works collaboratively with colleagues to design and implement evidence-based projects;
> Encourages and supports research into the whole student-experience;
> Develops targeted curriculum transformations to embedded academic skills (such as academic literacy) into core units within courses.
3. How does STaRS address Securing Success: The University's 2015-2020 Strategic Plan?
STaRS directly addresses two of the University's Key Focus Areas (opens in a new window) helping the University to be both a "distinctive student-centred university" and provide "a unique learning experience that is innovative, flexible and responsive". So far it has produced measurable outcomes for the KPI of Student Retention, while influencing both Student Satisfaction, and Widening Participation. Furthermore, with its focus on collecting evidence, STaRS will in the future contribute towards the University's Research Outcomes.
4. Why is the Community of Practice site "staff only"?
This site is for the use of the Schools' STaRS Coordinators and contains confidential information and reports, plus any work in progress. STaRS Coordinators can log in using their usual staff log-in.
If you have an idea for a project, or an issue that needs investigation please do not hesitate to contact the Learning Transformations Team.
