Special issue introduction: Career and life planning key feature within comprehensive guidance programs

Career and life planning is viewed as a process that starts early in the el ementary school through adult life and it should be at the heart of any gui dance program. This journal discusses the value and process ideas at each o f the school and grade levels. The authors also discuss how parents, employ ers, and teachers enhance the career planning process by expanding student options, encouragement, motivation, mentoring, and providing career life ex periences. Career planning is viewed as a structured and expected series of events and activities a student would go through as a part of their school experience. It forwards the idea that to assure all youth have a plan for life transition and success takes state department of education policy and support, local district expectations, time, and resources, and students who see the value in participating. The counselor is viewed as the key agent i n such a program and needs to demonstrate that early, continuous and high q uality life planning improves not only academic achievement, but life and e mployment success.