FIRST NATIONS STUDENT SUCCESS PROGRAM

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FIRST NATIONSSTUDENT SUCCESS PROGRAM

• -- Program Overview --
• Thunder Bay, Ontario
• December 17, 2008

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Outline

• FNSSP Objectives
• FNSSP Description
• School Success Plans
• Student Learning Assessments
• Performance Measurement
• FNSSP Eligibility
• FNSSP Maximum Funding Limits
• Roll-Out Schedule
• Proposal Development and Assessment Criteria
• Recipient Selection Process
• How do I apply?

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FNSSP Objectives
The FNSSP is a proposal-driven initiative that
provides support for improved learner outcomes in
K-12 schools on-reserve.

• The program aims to
• help First Nation educators plan and make
  improvements in three priority areas literacy,
  numeracy and student retention
• enhance First Nation student learning experiences
  and improve student and school outcomes and
  results and,
• assist schools in assessing and tracking how
  their students are performing.

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First Nation Student Success Program
The FNSSP is comprised of the following three
components

• School success plans
• Introduction of a consistent and comprehensive
  school success planning process
• Development and implementation of activities
  outlined within school success plans
• Student learning assessments standardized
  testing based, at a minimum, on provincial
  standards
• Performance measurement development of
  performance goals and indicators as well as
  school information systems.

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Program Components Why were they selected?

• The three components (school success plans,
  student learning assessments and performance
  measurement) are inter-related and work together
  to help First Nation educators to plan and make
  improvements in the three priority areas.
• The program will also help to reinforce the
  ongoing efforts for continuous improvements that
  many schools are now undertaking in some or all
  of these activities.

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School Success Plans

• School Success Plan A multi-year strategy that
  sets out the goals, activities, targets, with
  timelines, intended to improve student
  achievement levels. It also describes how and
  when these activities will occur.

• For schools that already have a school success
  plan and process underway, the Program will allow
  for a transition to meet the requirements of the
  new guidelines under the three priority areas and
  provide funds for the implementation of
  improvement activities.
• Program recipients have two options when
  preparing their school plan and process
• the adoption of the respective provincial school
  success planning model with a focus on the three
  priority areas of literacy, numeracy and student
  retention or
• the development of their own school success plan
  focusing on the three priority areas, as
  described in the Program Guidelines Annex A.

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Student Learning Assessments
Student Learning Assessments Assessments to
gather information in support of the school
success planning process. Results of these
assessments are used to identify areas for
targeted improvement. Results are aggregated
provincially and nationally to measure and report
on progress and outcomes.

• At a minimum, schools will participate in their
  respective provincial standard testing process.
• Schools may also choose to use standardized tests
  recognized by the provincial Ministry of
  Education, such as
• Canadian Achievement Test (CAT)
• Canadian Test of Basic Skills (CTBS)

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Performance Measurement
Performance Measurement Component the purpose
of this component is to support a FN school's
ability to monitor the progress of students,
manage school and program-related information,
and make it easier to gather, analyze and report
on financial/performance indicators.

• The key elements of performance measurement
  include
• School and student performance improvement goals
  and targets as identified in school success
  plans.
• Performance indicators to measure success and
  progress toward literacy, numeracy, student
  retention and other goals per school success
  plans. At a minimum, the following core
  indicators would be tracked

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Performance Measurement Key Elements Contd

• A school data system selected from one of the
  following three options
• Data analysis and reporting functions

• Modification of a system currently used
• Purchase of an appropriate expandable
  commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) education data
  management system
• Adoption of the respective provincial data
  management system, modified to add First
  Nation-specific indicators and data.

• Establishment of processes for analysis, roll-up
  and reporting of performance info to students,
  families, communities and INAC
• Information will address the objectives,
  indicators, targets, activities and results
  related to literacy, numeracy and student
  retention, on a school or aggregated basis, as
  appropriate.

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FNSSP Eligibility

• Eligible recipients will include
• Regional First Nations organizations (e.g.
  Regional Management Organizations, Tribal
  Councils or Political/Treaty Organizations with a
  dedicated Education Unit) that meet the
  eligibility requirements
• First Nation Band Councils as defined in the
  Indian Act, that have a band school on reserve
  and,
• Federal schools.

• To encourage greater efficiencies and economies
  of scale, priority will be given to regional
  First Nations organizations representing an
  aggregation of band-operated schools.

• On a case by case basis, individual schools may
  be eligible for funding, via their band councils
  or delegated authority.

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Eligibility of Regional FN Organizations
To be funded, a regional First Nation
organization must meet the following

• Currently undertakes, as a key function, K-12
  education support for a defined group of First
  Nation communities
• Has an organizational framework that supports
  existing program management and financial control
  requirements
• Has mechanisms in place to support accountability
  to its community
• Has a multi-year operational plan completed or in
  development with stated goals, priorities,
  investments and organizational development
  activities to support existing programming
• Is in a sound financial position.

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Other Terms and Conditions

• A school may not be represented by more than one
  recipient. 
• Provincial and territorial governments are not
  eligible to receive funding to develop or
  implement proposals under the FNSSP.
• Signed letters of support and commitment from
  communities required, including
• Support for the regional First Nation
  organization to project manage, and
• Commitment to initiate all 3 components over a 3
  year period from the year in which they commence
  their involvement in the program.

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Maximum Funding Limits

• The funding amount will be determined by the
  demonstration of a realistic assessment of
  estimated total costs and justification of the
  level of the FNSSP funding required.
• The amount funded will take into consideration
  per student amounts and fixed costs up to a
  maximum of 2 million in the first year
• The 2 million may cumulate year to year
  (depending on the number of schools and students
  participating). For example, 2 million in year
  1, 4 million in year 2, and 6 million in year
  3.

Note The budget allocations will be ramped up to
allow new applicants to enter the program in
subsequent rounds.
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FNSSP Roll-Out Schedule
Applicants selected for Round 1 must have the
capacity in place to implement their proposal
immediately. Those who require more time have
the option of participating in subsequent
rounds.

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Assessment Criteria
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Other Criteria

• Funding will be awarded on an annual basis
• Proposals must be multi-year (maximum of three
  years) and revised annually as required
• Proposals must include all three components of
  the program (school success plans, student
  learning assessments, performance measurement)
• Once a school enters the program, all three
  components must be initiated within a three-year
  period.

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Proposal Development
DETAILS on Proposal Requirements Supporting
Information Eligibility Capability
Consultation Commitment Implementation
Activities Statement of Need Current State of
FNSSP Related Programming Objectives Approach
Three-year work plan Project Management Project
Governance HR Management Management of
Risk Project Monitoring Control and Reporting
?
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Three-Step Selection Process
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National Selection Committee

• The role of the NSC to review project proposals
  and make recommendations on which proposals
  should receive funding for implementation
• The NSC will be chaired by a senior INAC
  representative. Membership will be selected and
  approved by both the Chair and INAC's Deputy
  Minister
• The NSC will comprise 10 - 15 members
  representing all regions of Canada and a
  cross-section of backgrounds including First
  Nations education experts and practitioners,
  system specialists and government
• Committee members must adhere to the requirements
  concerning conflict of interest, confidentiality
  and non-disclosure
• The first NSC session is planned for
  February/March to review Round 1 proposals for
  both programs.

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How do I apply?

• Details on how to apply to the program can be
  found at http//www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/edu/ep/ssp-e
  ng.asp
• Website includes
• Program guidelines
• Detailed program application template
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Applicant toolbox
• Relevant contacts
• INAC Regional Offices within your area are
  available to discuss your project idea

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FNSSP PROGRAM CONTACTElinor BradleyDirector
Programs, INAC EducationBradleyE_at_ainc-inac.gc.ca
[phone]