The Kansas State Board of Education is being rightfully cautious about approving a plan to allow some school districts to bypass teacher licensing regulations.

Last week, the board discussed, but didn’t act on, a proposal to allow the state’s six “innovative districts” to hire teachers who don’t meet the state’s licensing requirements. The six districts — Blue Valley, Concordia, Hugoton, Kansas City, Marysville and McPherson — are part of an initiative approved in 2013 that allows them to seek exemptions from certain state laws so they can pursue less traditional approaches to improving student achievement. Being able to hire teachers who don’t meet current licensing standards, those districts contended, might help rural districts recruit teachers and give larger districts more flexibility in hiring teachers to increase education quality. The teachers still would have to pass a background check and be approved by the local and state school boards.

The innovative districts are charged with trying new ways of doing education, but waiving teacher licensing requirements is a step that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Teaching is a profession, like many others, that requires specific skills and training. Even a person who’s a “natural” teacher may not be prepared to meet all the demands of a modern classroom. Fifteen people spoke in opposition to the districts’ proposal, including teachers, parents and representatives of university education programs. They accurately noted that the state wouldn’t consider lowering standards to address a shortage in doctors, lawyers or plumbers, so why would it be appropriate for teachers who interact with and help shape the future of the state’s children?

Although the board took no action last week, this proposal likely will be back. Board members criticized the innovative districts for crafting their proposal without collaborating with other state stakeholders like those represented at the meeting, and the districts agreed to invite additional input as they revisit their plans.

The profession of teaching too often isn’t afforded the respect that it deserves. Teaching and nurturing children with many different backgrounds and skill levels is a major challenge that requires teachers to use a broad range of educational approaches and research that are part of their professional training. There may be a place for teachers who don’t have all the training to meet state licensing requirements, but the state board is right to make sure they aren’t doing anything that will diminish the quality of K-12 education in the state.