Kevin Bedard is on his way to making the BOCES 2 Career and Technical Education Center the first school in Western New York to receive national certification for its Food Preparation course. After becoming personally certified this year, Bedard began working with the Pro Start School-To-Career Program to gain course certification.

Pro Start is a cooperative effort among the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the New York State Restaurant Association, their local chapters, high schools, employer and advisory board members, guidance counselors, school administrators and parents. The Pro Start Program was designed and developed by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. Currently, 41 other states have begun the program successfully.

"The program is developed by people in the industry, not just educators, so when our students go out in the world to get employment, the restauranteurs will know what the students went through to become certified," explained Bedard.

The two-year program requires that students master certain competencies, pass a nationally administered test at the end of each year (which is graded by the Educational Foundation) and do 400 hours of paid mentoring in a restaurant. As part of their membership in the National Restaurant Association, local restaurants agree to take in students and reinforce what they are learning in the classroom. The students also develop portfolios highlighting their accomplishments and showcasing their achievements.

The Educational Foundation also offers scholarships to students wishing to continue their education, and an agreement between the Foundation and local two- and four-year colleges provides a seamless curriculum leading from high school to college.

The BOCES Board of Education recently accepted a donation of $5,100 worth of textbooks, videotapes and teachers' tool kits from the Rochester Chapter of the National Restaurant Association for use in the Pro Start Program. Bedard is also receiving support from Instructional Specialist Sandy Ponticello in developing the curriculum for the enhanced course. The program will be implemented beginning in September.