The First Nation Student Success Program supports activities that increase students' achievement levels in reading and writing (literacy), mathematics (numeracy) and encourage students to remain in school (student retention).

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

• school success plans that set out goals, activities and targets for improving student achievement levels in the three priority levels (literacy, numeracy and student retention)
• student learning assessments that support the school success planning process. Schools participate in their respective provincial standard testing process. Assessment results should be used to identify areas for improvement
• performance measurement systems for schools to assess, report and take steps to accelerate progress made by students and schools. It allows schools to set targets, monitor results and report to parents and communities on how students are doing

Funding is available to eligible recipients who commit to undertaking all three components of the FNSSP within a three-year period. Funding is provided in the form of a one-year set contribution. A set contribution is a transfer payment that is dependent on performance as outlined in a funding agreement. The program supports costs associated with the development of the plan and costs associated with the implementation of eligible activities identified within the plan.

Student learning assessments will provide data to support policy development and strategic decision-making aimed at improving education programs and meeting parliamentary reporting requirements. Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) will follow established business practices and comply with appropriate privacy legislation in making use of the performance measurement information.