US EditionStudents Who Skip School Could Face New Punishments, Including Loss of Driver’s License
Senate Bill 513 targets chronic absenteeism by imposing sports bans and driver’s license suspensions, following a study showing over 20% of students missed 15+ days in 2024.
- On Thursday, the Georgia state Senate approved Senate Bill 513 to bar students with excessive unexcused absences from sports and potentially suspend their driver’s licenses.
- Rising absence rates — including a 42% rate for six‑to‑15 day absences — prompted the proposal after a legislative study committee found over one in five students missed more than 15 days in 2024.
- Schools would have to first identify students at risk and craft attendance intervention plans with students and parents, and districts must assemble systemwide attendance review teams with school-based teams in schools with at least 15% chronically absent.
- The bill won backing from both parties in the Senate and was co-sponsored by senate co-sponsors including leadership, though Sen. Jaha Howard, D-Smyrna, called it `wonderful` but warned it burdens teachers without funding.
- Supporters said the bill reinforces the link between responsibility and opportunity and limits sanctions to a last resort after noncompliance with signed plans.
10 Articles
10 Articles
Georgia lawmakers want harsher punishments for students who skip school
Students with too many unexcused absences would be barred from playing sports and could lose their driver’s license under legislation approved by the state Senate Thursday. “These are privileges,” said Sen. Jason Dickerson, R-Canton. “And this bill reinforces the connection between responsibility and opportunity.” He carried the bill to address “chronic” absenteeism in public schools, […] The post Georgia lawmakers want harsher punishments for s…
Students who skip school could lose driver's licenses
ATLANTA — Students with too many unexcused absences would be barred from playing sports and could lose their driver’s license under legislation approved by the state Senate Thursday. “These are privileges,” said Sen. Jason Dickerson, R-Canton. “And this bill reinforces…
Rockdale Citizen & Newton Citizen
Students who skip school could face new punishments, including loss of driver’s license
ATLANTA — Students with too many unexcused absences would be barred from playing sports and could lose their driver’s license under legislation approved by the state Senate Thursday. “These are privileges,” said Sen. Jason Dickerson, R-Canton. “And this bill reinforces…
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