What's more important than educating our kids? Nothing, in my view. Colorado needs strong leaders in public education. Good superintendents make a big difference in the quality of our schools. An outstanding superintendent is also an exceptional educational leader.

We could have that kind of leadership at the state level, but we don't. We have a state Commissioner of Education, Bill Moloney, who loves to call a press conference to blast schools when test scores aren't up to snuff. But, when respected organizations, using careful and thoughtful research, point out the failings in the underpinnings of our educational system, like underfunding schools and underpaying teachers, he sneers.

Education Week is a highly regarded publication that regularly rates states on the quality of their educational effort. For the last several years, it has pointed out that Colorado is 49th out of the 50 states in funding our schools. That's something we need to know-and do something about. It's something to fix, not discount.

This year, Education Week gave Colorado a D-plus for our efforts to improve teacher quality. The biggest reason was the low salaries teachers are paid. So, what did our state's top educational leader have to say? "You've got to take these things with a grain of salt. . . .Some of their barometers are suspect." And, he said, teachers work on a 9 month contract. Granted.

So, let's look at the salary comparison of teachers with other educated professionals. Colorado teachers with a bachelor's degree make $24,475. Other Colorado professionals with the same degree average $41,138. Since teachers work 9 months, a fair comparison would be ¾ of $41,138, or $30,854. Our teachers earn $6,000 less per year than their professional peers. At the master's level, the comparison is $37,579 for teachers and $59,579 for other professionals. Take ¾ of $59,579 and you get $44,921, a $7,000 differential in annual salary.

We all know excellent teachers are key to good schools. It mystifies me that the person charged with providing educational leadership in Colorado isn't willing to look at barriers to attracting the best teachers.

I'll give Commissioner Moloney credit for strongly advocating standards and testing. These are important ingredients of accountability in public education. There is much more to good schools, however, than standards. Intelligent, well-educated, creative people have to teach kids those standards. In a tight labor market, those thoughtful professionals have lots of options that pay better than teaching. Moloney needs to recognize that.

What an inspiration it would be if our Commissioner of Education provided some real leadership in solving the underlying problems that plague our schools. It's a disgrace that Colorado, arguably the most prosperous state in the country, is at the bottom of the heap in school funding. Where is Commissioner Moloney on that issue? Silent.

Wouldn't it be exciting if he advocated ways to improve teaching? For example, urging the legislature to fund mentor teachers who would help new teachers learn to be outstanding professionals. Or, supporting business efforts to provide summer internships for teachers so they can gain "real world" examples and experience to use in their classrooms.

What if he pushed for a Colorado Teachers' Corps? We could offer full college scholarships to our brightest high school graduates if they would commit to spend four years teaching in under-performing schools. Or, how about an advanced teaching institute where teachers could learn--and teach colleagues--about the most successful educational methods and materials?

It's not enough to criticize public schools. That's easy. The tough part is providing the leadership, the energy and the creativity to make our schools better. Leadership is not about criticizing others and making excuses. Leadership is about inspiring people and taking action. We have many excellent public schools. An exceptional leader would highlight those schools and help others understand why they succeed.

We don't have that kind of leadership at the state level. We voters elect our State Board of Education. We should expect them to ensure that Colorado's top education official is truly a leader. Accountability starts at the top.