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The 1Million Project Foundation To Connect 1,500 Cleveland High School Students In The 2018-2019 School YearOVERLAND PARK, Kan., Oct. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Sprint (NYSE: S) and Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) announced at an event with CMSD CEO Eric S. Gordon today that 1,500 high school students will receive a free mobile device and free wireless service as part of the 1Million Project Foundation. The program launched in August 2017 with a mission to help one million high school students achieve their full potential by ensuring they have the digital tools and connectivity they need to succeed in school. In its first year, the initiative connected 113,000 students across the country, and by the end of the 2018-19 school year, more than 260,000 students total at over 1,700 high schools in 33 states will receive internet access and devices. "Today's students need equitable access to essential digital tools and connectivity to succeed in high school," said Doug Michelman, president of the 1Million Project Foundation. "Those students who are disconnected when they leave school every afternoon should not be at a disadvantage just because their families cannot provide them connectivity at home. With the support of Sprint, a national wireless company, we are in a powerful position to do something about this problem by arming eligible students with the critical tools they need to succeed and to believe that they can succeed." Right here in the U.S., there are more than five million families with school-aged kids who do not have home internet access.1 Unfortunately, this means that millions of students lack the devices and connectivity needed to have an equal shot at success. The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) consistently ranks Cleveland in the top ten list of America's Worst Connected Cities. NDIA's 2018 report ranked Cleveland as sixth on the list noting that nearly 50 percent of households lack a fixed broadband connection.2 The 1Million Project Foundation will distribute devices and provide service to eligible students at the following CMSD high schools:
In a survey of those who participated in the first year of the program, the vast majority of students (84%) said the 1Million Project made it easier for them to complete more of their homework in a comfortable, convenient, and safe place. Looking forward, 74% said they are more willing to work hard to graduate from high school. And, 68% said they are more likely to go to college. Administrators reported improved attitudes toward learnings, homework completion rates and school attendance among students. Schools or districts who want to apply for the third year of the program, which begins with the 2019-2020 school year, can visit www.1millionproject.org to learn more. Applicants will receive a response by spring 2019. Anyone looking to support the program can visit 1millionproject.org/donate to make a donation via credit card.3 About The 1Million Project Foundation: About Sprint: 1 The Pew Research Center (http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/04/20/the-numbers-behind-the-broadband-homework-gap/) View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-1million-project-foundation-to-connect-1-500-cleveland-high-school-students-in-the-2018-2019-school-year-300732797.html SOURCE Sprint |