Something is clearly amiss with the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, the independent agency empowered to license and relicense teachers. Both the state auditor and some lawmakers have sounded the alarm bells, concerned that teachers are not getting the credentials they need in a timely fashion.

What's also clear is that the Legislature has not yet hit on the right solution. Senate Bill 1308 proposes shifting the duties of the HTSB to the elected Board of Education, something not appropriate to a policymaking body that is ill-equipped to handle ongoing licensure operations.

Rather, the HTSB must be held accountable for its weaknesses, including the inefficiencies and questionable practices that make it difficult for a qualified candidate to become a public school teacher in Hawaii. A lack of qualified teachers not only hurts our students, but our ability to meet federal standards as well.

The No Child Left Behind Act places great importance on teacher qualifications, so any snarls in the state licensing are critical concerns.

State Auditor Marion Higa underscored that federal imperative in the report released yesterday. It indicated, among other things, that the standards board has been extending licenses beyond its legal authority to do so. She also found that the HTSB, appointed by the governor, had ceded its authority and oversight to the executive director.

Higa said both of those actions have "clouded" the validity of thousands of teacher licenses. That's an appalling finding, demanding that the Legislature move to improve accountability of the board.

The standards board asserts that its extension process has been vetted by state attorneys but acknowledges its delays in making its license renewal process more efficient. That's not good enough; clearly, the HTSB can't be left to reform itself.

There's at least the germ of a good idea in Senate Bill 497: Create an advisory committee that would report to lawmakers and the BOE and, it is hoped, ensure that the board meets its responsibilities.

It's dismaying that such a device could be necessary; the standards board is supposed to hold the licensing staff and executives accountable.

The biggest question for educators this session is how much money schools will have. While lawmakers await updated revenue estimates, other education bills in the hopper face a final push before next week, when measures must "cross over" from the originating house.

Among other bills worth watching this session:

• Senate Bill 746 would launch a two-year pilot project to enable schools within a complex to share some resources — an approach that could help bridge budget gaps.

• Senate Bill 360, allowing homeschooled kids to join in with extracurricular activities at their district school, which would enrich their experience.

But the call to reform teacher licensing is the paramount issue, especially with the prospect of mass teacher retirements looming. Teacher shortages could become acute and widespread — something that can't be allowed.