The Kansas State Board of Education plans a special meeting next week to approve regulations for a new law that allows applicants without education degrees to obtain teaching licenses.

The law takes effect July 1 and was included in a school finance bill approved by the Legislature in early April.

State education officials said the change would increase the available pool of teachers in science, math, engineering and technology. The law will allow people with bachelor’s degrees and significant work experience in the designated fields to teach in secondary schools.

Another section makes it easier for teachers licensed in other states to obtain Kansas licenses.

The state board will meet via conference call Tuesday to approve the necessary regulations.