The U.S. Department of Education finally is taking finances seriously.

For years, reports of mismanagement and fraud were met with silence or dismissed as politically motivated. But new Education Secretary Rod Paige has responded to the latest findings with a promise of action. In light of the most recent disturbing news, Paige's moves could not be more welcome.

Just this month, federal officials told a House subcommittee about ongoing problems in financial controls. The department has mismanaged at least $450 million since 1998, according to its inspector general. It has failed to address more than half of the 639 recommendations it has received from auditors. And its records have been so poorly kept that it has been unable to get a complete audit in three years.

Paige, who arrived with a reputation as a tough leader in his previous job as Houston's superintendent of schools, announced a three-pronged plan to attack his agency's management problems.

Republicans hailed his announcement, while Democrats insisted that his predecessor, Richard Riley, should not be blamed for the department's failings.

Yes, Riley inherited an agency rife with mismanagement eight years ago, and by some accounts managed some improvements. But he never took the aggressive, public stand Paige has taken.

The new secretary appears determined that every dollar be spent in the best interests of the nation's schoolchildren.