Summary

This report investigates the implementation, effectiveness and sustainability of initiatives within five reform areas of the low socioeconomic school communities National Partnership (Low-SES NP) dealing with school staffing, management and accountability. A key question for the evaluation is whether or not participation in the Low-SES NP has helped improve the education and life opportunities of students from low socioeconomic status backgrounds through improvements in student outcomes. To examine this question, a range of analyses were undertaken using available data, including NAPLAN results. The analysis suggests that there has been some impact from the Low-SES NP and affirms some of the positive responses found in both principal and staff surveys on effects of the program, including in areas of student outcomes.