Kansas education officials are preparing new regulations so school districts can hire more technical education instructors.
The state Department of Education is writing changes that would create rules for private-sector professionals to receive licenses to teach in public schools.
The Department of Ed is designing the changes to help districts hire people who have industry certification or career experience in technical fields like plumbing or welding.
People receiving the licenses could then teach on a full- or part-time basis.
Districts have seen more demand for technical education since 2011, when Kansas created an incentive program to help high school students accelerate their education to fill industry needs.