The Missouri Commission on Higher Education initiated a comprehensive study of existing and developing state junior colleges in order that a master plan for the orderly development of a state system of comprehensive junior colleges might be developed. Among the areas examined by the study were: (1) the status of public junior colleges; (2) the direction of junior college development in Missouri; (3) the functions of the junior college; (4) statewide districting; (5) cooperative interstate planning; (6) statewide planning and coordination; (7) the need for vocational-technical education; (8) patterns of financial support for junior colleges; (9) criteria and procedures for establishment of new college districts; (10) the relationships of the junior college to other higher education elements and governmental agencies; and (11) population characteristics, trends, and prospects in relation to a statewide plan of junior college districts. Among the results of the study were 22 recommendations for needed legislation. (JDS)