State Board of Education meeting (wibc.com photo by Ray Steele)

The State Board of Education has voted to allow Indiana school districts to hire teachers without teaching degrees.

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The new rules have been revised since they were introduced over the summer. But they would still provide alternate paths to certification. That drew opposition from schools of education at universities, since some teachers wouldn't need their services anymore. They were also opposed by the teachers' union and incoming State Schools Superintendent Glenda Ritz, who criticized them during the meeting.

The board approved the new rules on a 9-2 vote today (Wednesday). One board member pointed out that it is still up to local school boards on whether to hire teachers with alternative certifications.