First Nation Student Success Program

The First Nation Student Success Program (FNSSP) is a proposal-driven program designed to help First Nation educators onreserve (Kindergarten to Grade 12) and improve school results. The Program supports projects that increase students’ achievement levels in reading and writing (literacy), mathematics (numeracy), and encourages students to remain in school (student retention).

The FNSSP is a key component of the Reforming First Nation Education Initiative, which is setting the foundation for long-term reform of First Nation education. The FNSSP is aligned with the Government’s long-term goal of providing First Nation youth on-reserve with access to a quality education that encourages them to stay in school and graduate with the skills they need to enter the labour market in order to pursue their career aspirations.

Projects funded through this program are required to include three interrelated components:

School Success Plans: First Nation schools are required to develop school success plans which set out goals, activities and targets for improving student achievement levels in the three priority areas of literacy, numeracy and student retention.

Student Learning Assessments: First Nation schools are required to conduct student learning assessments that will support the school success planning process. Assessment results should be used to identify areas to be targeted for improvement. Schools are to participate in their respective provincial standard testing process. The FNSSP will support First Nations schools in selecting and implementing student achievement testing tools.

Performance Measurement: First Nation schools are required to put in place performance measurement systems that allow schools to assess, report on, and take steps to accelerate progress made by students and by schools.

Funding

Funding is available to eligible recipients who commit to undertaking all three components of the FNSSP within a three-year period.

Before you begin, please contact the AANDC Regional Office in your area to discuss your project idea. A Project Officer will be pleased to advise you on the eligibility of your group and project, answer any questions you may have, and provide you with advice on how to complete your application.

FNSSP Proposal Submission

In the second phase, eligible recipients are to submit their fully developed FNSSP proposal, using the required proposal submission template, to their respective AANDC regional office by December 1, 2011.

• Program Guidelines
• To access the proposal form, click on Proposal Template. If you need a password, please contact AANDC Regional Office.
• Sample Letter of Support
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Applicant's Toolbox

FNSSP Proposal Assessment

If the mandatory requirements are met, the proposal will be evaluated by a National Selection Committee against a set of selection criteria. Successful applicants will receive funding to assist in the implementation of their work plan.

Additional Information

To learn more about the First Nation Student Success Program, you may be interested in the following:

• Proposals Selected for Funding
  
  
• Letter from Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs to First Nation Chiefs regarding the two new programs
  
  
• 2009-2010 National Selection Committee
  
  
• 2010-2011 National Selection Committee
  
  
• 2011-2012 National Selection Committee