Research Projects

ACER is a partner in NAB Schools First, a national initiative that aims to build stronger partnerships between schools and their local communities. The NAB Schools First Awards have been developed by ACER, the Foundation for Young Australians and the National Australia Bank.

This awards program rewards excellence in existing school-community partnerships and encourages excellence in new partnerships. NAB Schools First is an inclusive program providing opportunities to schools in metropolitan, regional and remote areas across the public, catholic and independent sectors.

The primary objective of NAB Schools First is to improve student outcomes by recognising and strengthening the partnerships that already exist between schools and their communities, and by encouraging new relationships and initiatives. NAB Schools First has awarded $15 million to 310 outstanding school-community partnerships over the past three years in recognition of the positive contribution these partnerships are making to the lives of young Australians   Any school in Australia can apply for either an Impact or Seed Funding Award.

ACER conducted the original research that underpins the NAB Schools First program, developed the criteria for the awards, trains the judges to ensure consistency in the assessment of schools’ applications, assesses all applications, and provides customised feedback to each school that has submitted an application. These customised reports incorporate feedback from the assessors and are intended to help schools identify what they are doing well and what they might do to further develop their community partnerships.