HB639 Summary: Jobs and Education Reform Act of 2012

• Establishes mandatory school improvement plans for "priority schools" with students scoring one or more grade levels below state assessment norms, requiring multi-year intervention strategies including self-study, technical assistance, and eventual state takeover if insufficient improvement occurs.

• Creates Jobs and Education Reform Commission composed of Governor, state superintendent, education association leaders, business representatives, and legislative members to monitor education reform initiatives and provide recommendations on funding and policy.

• Implements three-tiered intervention system: local improvement efforts (year 1), state-assigned specialist teams and comprehensive plans (year 2), and direct state management through appointed administrators for schools showing no progress.

• Requires state oversight of local educational agency finances including appointment of Chief Education Financial Officer to monitor fiscal integrity; allows state superintendent to appoint chief financial officers for agencies in unsound financial condition.

• Expands career and technical education by requiring all high school students to select career pathways by 8th grade and complete at least two career and technical education courses; mandates school counselors dedicate 50 percent time to college/career counseling and 10 percent to career and technical education counseling.