The Georgia House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 123on Tuesday to address chronic absenteeism in schools. The bill, led by Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy from Macon, focuses on support rather than punishment. It bans expulsions for absenteeism and encourages a more personalized review of student attendance, as per the Georgia State Senate Press Office release.
Sen. Kennedy highlighted that nearly 360,000 students missed 10% or more of the school year last year. He explained that SB 123 will require local school systems to investigate the reasons behind absenteeism and provide targeted interventions. The goal is to respond to absenteeism in a fair and constructive manner.
The bill received bipartisan approval and now awaits Governor Kemp's signature. Once signed into law, it will create School Climate Committees to develop strategies to improve student attendance. These committees will also form local attendance review teams to address individual student absenteeism.
The School Climate Committees will be responsible for reporting their findings to the Georgia General Assembly, ensuring ongoing attention to student attendance. The committees' proactive approach and continuous feedback are seen as key to creating a more supportive educational environment.
