AR HB1651

Modifies professional development credit for teachers by changing the conversion rate from 3 graduate-level credit hours counting as 15 professional development hours to 5 hours of credit per 1 hour of college credit, with approval allocated to school districts or the Department of Education.

Prohibits employment of individuals whose teaching licenses are suspended or revoked for disqualifying offenses or ethical violations at school districts, public schools, or public charter schools, including as substitute teachers, with restrictions expiring when suspension terms end.

Expands the definition of "educator" to include preservice teachers (unlicensed students in educator preparation programs) for purposes of ethics violations and enforcement.

Changes the audit cycle for teacher preparation programs from 5 years to 7 years beginning July 1, 2016, and increases the compliance timeframe from 1 semester to 2 full semesters for institutions to address audit findings.

Requires ethics complaint forms to bear original signatures (not facsimile or electronic) and authorizes the Department of Education to publish information on ethics violations on its public website, including the violated standard, sanction imposed, and final board order.