Columbus City Schools and Franklin University Announce Education Partnership

Contact:

Sherry Mercurio
Executive Director, Office of Community Relations
(614) 947-6581
Email: sherry.mercurio@franklin.edu

Jacqueline D. Bryant, MBA
Director of Communications
Office of Communications & Media Relations
Phone: 614-365-5680
jbryant@columbus.k12.oh.us
 

(Columbus, OH) - Franklin University, one of the leading educators of working adults, is pleased to announce its partnership with Columbus City Schools. Through this new partnership, nearly three centuries of expertise in education are united to help shape Columbus’ current and future generations.

The partnership provides Columbus City School employees with a book benefit and a tuition discount from Franklin’s School of Education, as they work toward earning pre-licensure for instructional assistance. Further, the partnership benefit is extended to those Columbus City School employees looking to further their academic pursuits in undergraduate and graduate accounting and finance, management and marketing, public administration, health and nursing, safety, communications, computer science, psychology, and social sciences, and in the Ed.D. in organizational leadership program.

With nearly 50,000 students in grades pre-kindergarten-12, Columbus City Schools recognizes the need to provide high-quality programs to meet every child’s needs. As they continue to foster student success since 1845, Columbus City Schools has taken it a step further to support their teachers through professional development, backed by Franklin University. With six percent of the Columbus’ population making up the education sector (According the U.S. Bureau Labor Statics), along with the national teacher shortage rising, Columbus City Schools remain dedicated to its teachers and their advancement in and out of the classroom, so they can properly give back to their students.

“Columbus City Schools is excited to partner with Franklin University to offer these newly established tuition discounts,” said Superintendent/CEO Dr. Talisa Dixon. “These educational opportunities will help support the academic and professional growth that our employees seek and ensure that we are helping our students become lifelong learners.”

As a University committed to increasing educational access and opportunity, while strengthening Ohio, Franklin understands the challenges teachers face – working and going to school to provide their students the best learning environment. Through this partnership, Columbus City School’s employees are able to take classes on their schedule to continue their education, while investing in themselves and their students.

"Franklin University and our School of Education are proud to partner with Columbus City Schools to provide greater access to higher education and relevant professional development opportunities for school administrators, teachers, and staff,” shared Dr. David Decker, President, Franklin University. “As society experiences an accelerated digitization of learning and work activities, Franklin is uniquely positioned to support the evolving needs of educators."

Learn more about Franklin’s School of Education; providing 100% online coursework to complement the in-field teaching experience requirement for licensure: https://www.franklin.edu/degrees/degrees-college/school-education

About Columbus City Schools
Columbus City Schools, established in 1845, is the state of Ohio’s largest school district, serving the needs of 50,000 students in 112 schools. The district, which employs more than 9,000 teachers and staff, is under the leadership of its 21st superintendent, Dr. Talisa Dixon, and a seven-member Board of Education. The mission of Columbus City Schools is that each student is highly educated, prepared for leadership and service, and empowered for success as a citizen in a global community.

About Franklin University

Accredited, nonprofit, and dedicated to educating adults since 1902, Franklin provides onsite course options at our Main Campus in downtown Columbus, Ohio, and is an innovator in providing personalized online education. The University offers applied in-demand undergraduate, masters, and doctorate programs that enable adult learners to achieve their educational and professional goals. Through agreements with partner institutions, the University also offers international academic programs, including its top-ranked MBA.

Franklin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds specialized accreditations for specific academic programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education. The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Franklin University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE).