Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R–Macon) has introduced Senate Bill (SB) 123 to address chronic absenteeism in Georgia schools. The bill aims to tackle a growing issue, as absenteeism rates doubled from 2019 to 2023, affecting nearly 360,000 students (21.7%) who missed 10% or more of school days in 2024, as per the Georgia State Senate Press Office release.
Senator Kennedy emphasized that absenteeism negatively impacts student potential, stating, "For far too long, absenteeism has affected our communities and inhibited Georgia students from reaching their full potential," in the same release. He pointed out that the state's law on chronic absenteeism hasn't been updated in nearly 20 years.
SB 123 proposes a new approach: instead of expelling students for absenteeism, schools will be required to create supportive policies and form attendance review teams. These teams will report to the General Assembly, focusing on proactive measures and support rather than punitive actions.
Senator Kennedy highlighted the importance of school attendance for academic success, stating, "This legislation will enable local school districts to identify and implement protocols that directly address this issue, get our chronically absent students back in the classroom and ensure they have the necessary resources to build a foundation for future success," in a statement obtained by the Georgia State Senate Press Office.
