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Smyrna Today
By the People, for the People
Georgia Students Face Penalties for Chronic Absenteeism
New legislation would bar students with too many unexcused absences from sports and revoke their driver's licenses
Published on Feb. 27, 2026
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The Georgia state Senate has approved a bill that would impose penalties on students with chronic absenteeism, including barring them from participating in extracurricular sports and revoking their driver's licenses. The legislation aims to address the rise in student absences, which nearly doubled between 2019 and 2024. Schools would first have to identify at-risk students and develop attendance intervention plans before the sanctions could be triggered.
Why it matters
Chronic student absenteeism is a growing concern in Georgia, with over 20% of students missing more than 15 days of school in 2024. The new legislation seeks to incentivize better attendance and hold students accountable, though some lawmakers worry it may place an undue burden on teachers.
The details
The bill, known as Senate Bill 513, would define chronic absenteeism as missing a tenth or more of the school year. Students who fall into this category would first have to work with their school to develop an attendance intervention plan, which they would have to sign. If they fail to comply, they could face penalties such as being barred from extracurricular sports and having their driver's licenses suspended.
- In 2024, over 20% of students missed more than 15 days of school, nearly double the rate in 2019.
- The state Senate approved the bill on February 27, 2026.
- The bill now heads to the state House for consideration.
The players
Sen. Jason Dickerson
The Republican state senator from Canton who carried the bill to address chronic absenteeism in Georgia's public schools.
Sen. RaShaun Kemp
A Democratic state senator from Atlanta who previously served as a high school principal and now sits on the board of an Atlanta charter school.
Sen. Jaha Howard
A Democratic state senator from Smyrna who served on the Cobb County school board and expressed concerns about the bill's potential burden on teachers.
What they’re saying
“These are privileges, and this bill reinforces the connection between responsibility and opportunity.”
— Sen. Jason Dickerson (valdostadailytimes.com)
“If we do not have kids' butts in seats, they are not going to learn.”
— Sen. RaShaun Kemp, Former high school principal, current charter school board member (valdostadailytimes.com)
“The idea was 'wonderful,' but he also thought it burdensome for teachers, since the state would not help fund the mandates.”
— Sen. Jaha Howard, Former Cobb County school board member (valdostadailytimes.com)
What’s next
The bill now heads to the Georgia state House for consideration after passing the state Senate.
The takeaway
This legislation highlights the growing concern over chronic student absenteeism in Georgia and the state's efforts to address the problem, though some worry the proposed solutions may place additional burdens on teachers without adequate funding support.
