INDIANAPOLIS -- A day after a heated hearing on plans to revamp Indiana's teacher licensing standards, the state's schools chief Tony Bennett is dismissing criticism from fellow educators.

During Tuesday's meeting of the Indiana Education Roundtable, an advisory group that includes lawmakers, educators and business leaders, Bennett said his proposed changes are needed to help bring more top-notch teachers into Indiana's schools.

Monday, representatives of several education colleges offered scathing criticism of Bennett's proposals at the last of three public hearings on the matter.

They said the proposals had been inadequately researched and would not improve the quality of the state's teachers.

"You should be concerned because perhaps some of these regulations, if they're passed, will allow someone with no experience and no background in education to run the school, the school corporation or even your child's classroom," said Teresa Meredith with the Indiana State Teachers Association.

Bennett rejected that criticism Tuesday. He said he hopes his licensing proposals can be approved by year's end by the Indiana Professional Standards Board.