What is more important than planning, designing and implementing a comprehensive school counseling program? Ensure the program is aligned with the ASCA National School Counseling Program Model. How is this achieved? By implementing a program audit early in the program design phase and annually thereafter. The program audit guides future program actions and ensures that student needs are met (ASCA, 2005). The program audit, provided by the American School Counselor Association, serves to set the standard for the school counseling program. The program evaluation aligns with the four components of the ASCA National Model and serves as an instrument for analyzing each component (ASCA, 2012). Using all components of the audit, program strengths and areas for improvement are determined and goals for the following year are created (ASCA, 2005). Components of the Program Audit The first component of the program audit is the foundation of the program. The Foundation covers program beliefs and philosophy, mission of school counseling programs, program areas and goals, and ASCA National Standards and Competencies (ASCA, 2005). Foundation addresses the elements that underlie each school counseling program. The foundation “serves as a solid foundation upon which the remainder of the comprehensive school counseling program rests” (ASCA, 2012, p. 21). The second element of program audit is the delivery system. The delivery system includes the guidance program, individual student planning, tailored services, and system support (ASCA, 2005). This component focuses on the method of implementing the school counseling program with students. ...... middle of document ......evaluate the future of the program and its capabilities to achieve the chosen objectives. The results provided by the program audit determine program goals, training, and behavior for the following school year (ASCA, 2012). Professional school counselors, as well as administrators, want the best for their students and strive to meet all students' needs. Implementing a program audit each year helps ensure the success of existing programs and shows progressive growth trends each year. The student body will flourish thanks to the supportive actions of the teaching team.Works CitedASCA. (2005). The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs (Second ed.). Alexandria, VA: American School Counselor Association.ASCA. (2012). The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs (Third ed.). Alexandria, Virginia: American School Counselor Association.