Topeka ? State education officials voted Wednesday to remove some requirements that some say are a hindrance to getting more teachers into the classrooms.

On a 9-1 vote, the board adopted revisions to the teacher licensing process, aimed at making it easier for school districts to recruit and hire teachers from other states or nations. Board members said the changes had been under consideration for several years and that they will continue to look at the licensing process.

“This is not the end all, be all,” said Chairman Bill Wagnon, of Topeka, who agreed to have members of the licensing committee come before board in the coming months.

The changes approved Wednesday remove a requirement for out-of-state teachers, even those with years of experience, to have earned a 2.5 grade point average in college to be hired in Kansas. Teachers still would have to pass exams in the subjects they teach to obtain a license.

The new policy also would allow a licensed teacher with an endorsement in one science subject to gain an additional endorsement by passing the state’s content exam.

On Tuesday, the board heard from several superintendents from rural and urban districts who lamented that many of their best teacher candidates are stymied by the state licensing requirements. It is especially frustrating, they said, when teachers for critical subjects, such as math, science and English as a second language, are hindered by the regulations.

“This is the first step in looking at removing some of the barriers that have kept the districts from having good teachers,” said board member Carol Rupe, of Wichita.

Board member Steve Abrams, of Arkansas City, cast the lone dissenting vote, repeating his belief that the changes will lower the standards of quality of teachers and education overall.