New state senate committee looks to tackle chronic absenteeism in Georgia schools

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Georgia General Assembly is increasing its efforts to fight chronic absenteeism in schools.

The state senate recently announced the creation of a new, bipartisan study committee to identify the root causes of chronic absenteeism, along with possible solutions. According to the Georgia Department of Education, more than

21% of students across the state were chronically absent in 2024

, meaning they missed 10% or more of enrolled school days. State Sen. John F. Kennedy (R-Macon) will serve as chair of the committee, which will travel the state this summer and speak with school districts most impacted.

“We can talk to the different school systems and areas around the state that are having a problem with it so that we can learn what the problem is and then try to fashion some solutions at the local level going forward,” Kennedy said.

Senate Bill 123 became law in April and will require School Climate Committees in each school district to develop a comprehensive framework to improve student attendance when it goes into effect on July 1. Kennedy says absenteeism goes far beyond making good or bad grades. He says policies aimed at strengthening Georgia’s economy are ineffective when you don’t have enough candidates ready to fill high-demand jobs.

“If the kids aren’t in their seats learning, they’re not going to be literate,” Kennedy said. “If they’re not literate, they can’t graduate. If they don’t graduate, they won’t get a part of the American and Georgia dream that we want for them.”

Chronic absenteeism has hit the Bibb County School District even harder than the state average, with 28.3% of students missing 18 or more days during the 2024-2025 academic year.

“When I looked at the number of students that were chronically absent, 62% of those were chronically absent the previous year,” said Jamie Cassady, Assistant Superintendent of Student Affairs for the Bibb County School District.

Cassady says chronic absenteeism is a parent-based issue at the elementary school level and becomes more of a student issue for middle and high schoolers. He says the district works to identify barriers.

“Social workers get involved on day seven,” Cassady said. “That’s when we start knocking on doors, making phone calls, just trying to find the students, trying to find the reason why they’re not coming to school.”

Cassady says he’ll be listening for solutions the study committee and other districts come up with to tackle the issue. But he says the most important thing Bibb County School District leaders can do is control what they can.

“That’s making sure that we continue to build relationships with students and provide a safe environment where they can come every day and where learning can take place,” Cassady said.