PBIS Cohort 12 graduates — Marshall and MACCRAY schools

Four Cohort 12 schools in the SWWC region participated in their final Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) certification training on March 14 in Mankato. As part of the cohort graduation, the schools received a PBIS “certification of training completion” signed by Gov. Mark Dayton. Marshall Public Schools’ Park Side Elementary and all three schools in the MACCRAY School District completed nine days of training together.

The PBIS school-wide philosophy strives to find consistent ways to handle behavior while making sure that plenty of students are recognized for positive behavior.

For more information about PBIS, visit www.swsc.org/PBIS.

Bismarck State College to start cybersecurity partnership

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Bismarck State College has partnered with a California-based company to address a growing gap in computer safety jobs.

The school is teaming up with Palo Alto Networks to expand its current cybersecurity program, the Bismarck Tribune reported. Palo Alto CEO Mark Anderson announced the partnership at a cybersecurity conference in May.

The college has been known for its energy industry programs, but President Larry Skogen said he’d like to shift focus.

“This is huge that a company … would sign its first education partnership with Bismarck State College to address the issue of cybersecurity in the nation,” Skogen said.

Bismarck State will offer classes using curriculum from the cybersecurity firm. It will also add more networking equipment, create an online training center and open a cybersecurity academy for teachers on how to incorporate cybersecurity education into K-12 classrooms.

“With this partnership, we’ll grow our program, increase our student base and not just reach Bismarck, but the region and hopefully the nation at some point,” said Matt Frohlich, an associate professor of computers and office technology.

Cybersecurity jobs are in high demand and are expected to grow 28 percent through 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Ransomware attacks increased by 36 percent in 2016 compared with the previous year, software company Symantec reported last year.

The college aims to use the partnership to help train more women and other demographics. Skogen said the partnership also aligns with Gov. Doug Burnum’s K-20 workforce initiative to bolster cyber education in K-12 schools and higher education.

Temple business school dean forced out over falsified data

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The dean of Temple University’s business school has been forced out over falsified data submitted to rankings organizations about its online master’s program.

Temple president Richard Englert said in an email that Moshe Porat was asked to resign on Monday. Porat refused, but the university says he no longer heads the school. He still retains a teaching appointment.

In January, the Fox School of Business reported it had submitted inaccurate data to U.S. News & World Report. As a result, the publication removed the school’s No. 1 online MBA program ranking.

The university retained a law firm to review the business school’s data reporting processes.

The firm found the school reported inaccurate data to the U.S. News for multiple years.

Messages seeking comment from Porat weren’t returned Tuesday.