What's Happening?
A Georgia Senate committee has recommended that students who are chronically absent from school be barred from participating in athletic teams and other extracurricular activities. This recommendation
is part of a broader effort by the Study Committee on Combating Chronic Absenteeism in Schools, which has held multiple meetings to address the issue. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing more than 10% of a school year, and Georgia's rate was 21.3% in 2024, up from 12.1% in 2019. The committee's recommendations include expanding the authority of local attendance review teams, requiring parents of chronically absent students to appear before these teams, and potentially revoking driver's licenses or learning permits for affected students. The committee also suggests developing a statewide real-time attendance dashboard and prohibiting cellphones in high schools.
Why It's Important?
Chronic absenteeism is a significant factor in high school dropout rates, which have substantial economic and social implications. High school dropouts cost the nation $337 billion in lost wages, and they are more likely to be involved in criminal activities. In Georgia, 70% of prison inmates did not complete high school, highlighting the link between education and incarceration. The committee's recommendations aim to address these issues by implementing data-driven solutions to improve student attendance and outcomes. By focusing on absenteeism, Georgia hopes to strengthen communities and improve educational outcomes, ultimately reducing dropout rates and associated economic losses.
What's Next?
The committee's recommendations will likely lead to legislative action, with potential changes to state laws governing student participation in extracurricular activities and driving privileges. Local attendance review teams may gain more authority to enforce these measures, and schools could implement new policies to monitor and address absenteeism. The development of a statewide attendance dashboard could provide real-time data to help schools intervene early when attendance issues arise. These steps are expected to transform Georgia's approach to combating chronic absenteeism and improving student success.
