Comprehensive guidance program implementation and student success in high school: a path analysis

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] The study in this article examined the impact of comprehensive guidance program implementation in Missouri high schools on student success. Specifically, it was hypothesized that a more fully implemented guidance program would lead to lower discipline rates, higher attendance rates, and higher standardized test scores. Further, it was hypothesized that discipline rates, attendance rates, and standardized test scores would mediate the relationship between guidance program implementation and college enrollment rates. A total of 226 high school counselors from across the state of Missouri participated. Results partially supported the hypothesized relationships. Guidance program implementation did significantly predict attendance rates, discipline rates, and standardized test scores, however, only standardized test scores were found to be a significant predictor of college enrollment. Guidance program implementation was shown to have an indirect effect on college enrollment and was mediated by standardized test scores