Schools Chancellor Joel Klein last week showed off fancy new cellphones that are part of a pilot program to encourage excellence in school.

A Klein statement said: “Students will earn text messages, talk time and other rewards . . . through their performance in school.”

School staff will be able to communicate with kids to encourage studying – and the pursuit of middle-class dreams.

Hmm. Department of Education policy – which Team Bloomberg has gone to court to enforce – is that cellphones are banned in school.

Thus, Klein appears to be the first chancellor ever to encourage good behavior by giving students contraband that will be confiscated if found in schools.

There’s a lesson here somewhere.

Those students trying to figure it out should call or text DOE or the city Law Department.

But not on school grounds, please!