Hobsons' New Platform Combines Data Analytics, Early Intervention Tools for Higher Ed
Hobsons, a software developer
that has been best known for creating digital counseling tools for K-12
students preparing for college, has updated its
Starfish
Enterprise Success Platform in an effort to take advantage of the
acquisition of
a company earlier this year.
In January, the company
acquired the PAR Framework, which has created a
data analytics tool that gathers
77 commonly defined data variables from the student information systems
of a
network of partner higher education institutions to analyze student
behavior.
In February 2015, Hobsons acquired Starfish Retention Solutions, which helps colleges and
universities with
academic planning, advising and identifying students who are at risk of
not
meeting their goals. Its Starfish Enterprise Success Platform has four
modules that identify at-risk
students in real time, identify concerns and connect students with
resources
such as tutoring, mentoring and personalized support.
The hope is to integrate the
underlying technology of the PAR Framework with Starfish to create a product that
applies
predictive analytics, data visualization and intervention management
tools to
improve early alert processes, case management and academic planning
for higher
education students.
Hobsons
has spent most of the year integrating the two
companies' tools and is now introducing the expanded Starfish Enterprise Success Platform.
The idea is to help colleges and universities not just identify the students who are at risk,
but also
provide the appropriate follow-up support and services available on
campus.
"We are already leveraging
Starfish and PAR technologies on multiple campuses to identify students
who
need help," said University of Hawaii System President David Lassner.
"With the
integration of Starfish and PAR, Hobsons is becoming a key partner in
helping
us build a culture and practice around our commitment to student
success."
Before the acquisitions, Hobsons
provided tools for student lifecycle management, application and
admissions
management, as well as tools designed to help K-12 students identify
their
strengths and interests and to find appropriate higher education
matches.
About the Author
Michael Hart is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer and the former executive editor of THE Journal.