The comprehensive guidance and counseling program is an integral part of a school district's total educational program. It is developmental by design and includes sequential activities organized and implemented by professional school counselors with the active support of parents/guardians, teachers, administrators, and the community.

As a developmental program, it addresses the needs of all students by facilitating their academic, career, and personal/social, development as well as helping create positive and safe learning climates in schools. At the same time, the program assists students as they face issues and resolve problems that may prevent their healthy development.

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Empirical research conducted in the state of Missouri since the 1990's has shown that when certified, professional school counselors have the time, the resources, and the structure of a comprehensive guidance program to work in, they contribute to positive student academic and career development as well as the development of positive and safe learning climates in schools.

Students (22,964) in 236 small, medium, and large high schools in Missouri with more fully-implemented guidance programs as judges by school counselors reported that:
    • they had earned higher grades
    • their education better prepared them for the future
    • their schools had a more positive climate

Lapan, R.T., Gysbers, N.C. & Sun, Y. (1997). The impact of more fully implemented guidance programs on the school experiences of high school students: A statewide evaluation study. Journal of Counseling & Development, 75, 292-302. 

When middle school classroom teachers in Missouri (4,868) in 184 small, medium, and large middle schools rated guidance programs in their schools as more fully implemented, seventh graders (22,601) in these schools reported that:
    • they earned higher grades
    • school was more relevant for them
    • they had positive relationships with teachers
    • they were more satisfied with their education
    • they felt safer in school

Lapan, R.T., Gysbers, N.C. & Petroski, G. (2001). Helping seventh graders be safe and academically successful: A statewide study of the impact of comprehensive guidance programs. Journal of Counseling & Development, 79, 320-330. 

When school counselors in Missouri work in schools that have more fully implemented guidance programs, they make significant contributions to overall student success including student academic achievement.
    • Students had higher 10th-grade MAP mathematics scores.
    • Students had higher 11th-grade MAP communication arts scores.
    • More students are likely to attend school.
    • Fewer students have discipline problems.
    • Fewer students receive out-of-school suspensions. 

Lapan, R.T., Gysbers, N.C. & Kayson, M. (2006). The relationship between the implementation of the Missouri Comprehensive Guidance Program and student academic achievement. Columbia, MO: University of Missouri.