Create a demand for education. Make education something that every student recognizes, values and desires. Spur a citywide cultural movement rooted in New York’s highest-need communities. Tangibly alter the way students internalize the link between education and success. The ultimate goal: increase student achievement and hence advancing our high school graduation rate.

Connect students with education the way they connect.The Million: A free dual-function phone rewarding achievement in school with benefits outside school.Both an educational tool and a regular cellphone. ‘In School’: testing, calendars, homework, transit alerts, celebrity wake-ups, emergency calls. “School’s Out’: free talktime and texting, music downloads, store discounts, movies.

Operating costs: offset by responsible sponsorship.

Though the program was initially met with resistance, just two weeks after the Million launched, teachers and administrators recognized improvements in attendance, behavior, homework, participation and grades.

Additionally, principals realized a valuable byproduct in the bi-weekly recording of student improvements - schools no longer have to wait until end of each quarter for student data, and can address individual and school-wide issues immediately.

The instant success of the Million program has sparked calls from schools all over the globe. Our hope is to continue to expand the program to other school systems worldwide struggling to close the critical achievement gap.