The Georgia Department of Education is starting new initiatives to reduce chronic absenteeism, which is when students miss 10% or more of school days.

With a current absenteeism rate of 20. 7%, Georgia aims to improve access to instruction for all students. State School Superintendent Richard Woods emphasizes the need for daily attendance to support academic recovery after disruptions caused by the pandemic. The goal is to remove barriers to attendance and address issues that lead to student disengagement.

On December 4, 2024, the Office of Whole Child Supports held an Attendance Summit with various state agencies and education representatives to discuss ways to reduce chronic absenteeism. Attendance Works, an organization focused on attendance practices, led the discussions, allowing participants to explore data and brainstorm solutions.

Future work sessions and partnerships with schools will be planned to support long-term changes. Justin Hill, Deputy Superintendent for Whole Child Supports, stated that while the absenteeism rate is decreasing, there is still more work to do to significantly improve attendance rates with the help of policymakers, educators, and community members.