For years, school systems across Georgia have quietly pushed students out of classrooms—not for violence or serious misconduct, but simply for missing too many days of school. This practice disproportionately affected vulnerable kids, turning absences into expulsions and setting students up for failure instead of a future. But thanks to the passage of SB 123, Georgia is flipping the script.
As Atlanta Accident Attorney Jonathan Perazzo puts it:
“Too many kids were being expelled just for missing too many days of school. SB 123 puts a stop to that. It gives schools a better option — one that actually helps kids succeed.”
What Is SB 123 – School Expulsion Reform?
SB 123 is a groundbreaking new law that prohibits schools from expelling students solely due to unexcused absences. Instead of slamming the door shut, it pushes schools to open another one—offering support, resources, and intervention strategies before turning to harsh disciplinary action.
In short, SB 123 requires:
Academic Support Plans for Students Falling Behind
Under SB 123, schools must shift their approach from punishment to progress. Instead of treating absences as a disciplinary issue, they are now encouraged to identify academic gaps and create customized support plans for struggling students.
These plans may include:
- One-on-one tutoring
- After-school help sessions
- Modified assignments or adjusted workloads
- Progress tracking and regular teacher-parent communication
The goal? To catch students before they fall too far behind. Because missing school shouldn’t mean missing out on a future. These plans give every child a structured, compassionate path to get back on track — no matter how many days they’ve missed or what challenges they’ve faced.
Counseling and behavioral resources for students struggling with attendance
Let’s be real: when a student isn’t showing up to school, there’s almost always more going on beneath the surface. That’s why SB 123 requires schools to take a trauma-informed approach, offering mental health counseling, behavior intervention plans, and wellness check-ins before ever considering expulsion. These resources might involve:
On-campus school counselors or social workers
Having a school counselor or social worker on site isn’t just helpful — it can be life-changing. For students struggling with anxiety, depression, bullying, or trauma, access to a trained mental health professional can offer immediate emotional support right where they need it most: the classroom.
Under SB 123, schools are encouraged to actively involve their counseling staff early in the process — not as a last resort after behavior worsens. These professionals can:
- Identify the root causes of chronic absenteeism
- Provide coping strategies and emotional regulation tools
- Create a safe space for students to express what’s going on internally
- Coordinate with teachers to adjust academic expectations where needed
Rather than punish a student for disappearing, this approach asks,
“What’s causing them to withdraw in the first place?”
Referrals to community mental health programs
Not every school has the resources to provide comprehensive in-house counseling services — and that’s where community-based support comes in. SB 123 encourages partnerships between schools and local mental health organizations, ensuring that students and families can access care even beyond school walls.
These referrals might include:
- Licensed therapists who work with children and teens
- Crisis intervention programs for students facing acute mental health challenges
- Sliding-scale clinics for families without insurance
- Substance abuse or trauma recovery resources
By connecting students to professionals trained in real-world challenges, schools can address not only attendance issues but the underlying emotional distress that often drives them.
Peer support groups or mentoring programs
Sometimes, what a student needs most is someone who’s been there.
Peer support groups and mentoring programs create space for connection — where students can share experiences, feel less isolated, and build positive relationships with trusted role models.
These programs may be led by:
- Trained peer mentors (often older students)
- School staff or community volunteers
- Local nonprofits focused on youth development
Whether it’s a weekly lunch group or an after-school check-in, the message is the same:
You’re not alone — and you don’t have to figure this out by yourself.
This sense of belonging can be a powerful motivator for students who’ve disengaged from school life.
Meetings with parents to understand home-related stressors
Behind nearly every unexcused absence is a deeper story — and many of those stories start at home. That’s why SB 123 prioritizes direct communication with families before taking punitive action. Instead of blaming parents, schools are now expected to open the conversation with empathy:
- Is there food insecurity at home? A child who’s showing up hungry — or not showing up at all — may be skipping school because their basic needs aren’t being met, not because they don’t care about learning.
- Is the student helping care for younger siblings or sick relatives? In many households, older children carry adult-sized responsibilities, and school takes a backseat to survival when family members depend on them.
- Is transportation unreliable or unavailable? For some families, missing the bus doesn’t just mean being late — it means missing the entire day because there’s no car, no backup, and no way to get there.
- Is the student avoiding school due to conflict, fear, or shame? Bullying, academic struggles, or emotional distress can turn a school campus into a place of anxiety — and no child thrives when they don’t feel safe or supported.
These meetings allow educators to see the whole picture — not just the attendance sheet — and to collaborate with families on solutions that meet real-life needs.
Rather than asking, “Why aren’t you in class?”, schools now must ask,
“What can we do to help you come back — and stay?”
This shift reflects a broader understanding: emotional support is academic support. A student who feels heard, safe, and supported is far more likely to engage and succeed.
A fair process before any removal from school is considered
Before SB 123, students—especially those in underserved communities—could be expelled with little notice, no formal intervention, and no real chance to explain their circumstances.
This law changes that. Now, before any student is removed due to chronic unexcused absences, schools must:
- Document the support services already provided – Schools must keep a clear, written record of every intervention offered—proving that support, not punishment, was the first step taken.
- Involve parents or guardians in a formal discussion – Before considering expulsion, families must be invited to the table to share context, ask questions, and collaborate on a path forwar
- Explore every reasonable alternative to expulsion – Educators are required to exhaust all other options—such as tutoring, counseling, or schedule adjustments—before removing a student from the learning environment.
- Consider the student’s academic record, behavioral history, and overall well-being – Disciplinary decisions must be made with the full picture in mind, ensuring that one issue doesn’t overshadow a student’s potential or progress.
In other words, schools must exhaust all supportive strategies before resorting to removal.
At The Perazzo Law Firm, we know that fairness isn’t just about following rules—it’s about giving students the dignity of due process. When children are treated as individuals, not case numbers, the system starts working for them—not against them.
Why This Matters to Georgia Families
Missing school doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Often, it’s the symptom of something deeper: family instability, mental health challenges, transportation issues, or chronic illness. But for years, schools punished the symptom without ever addressing the root cause.
SB 123 recognizes that kids don’t need punishment — they need support.
At The Perazzo Law Firm, we’ve worked with countless families who’ve watched their children fall through the cracks because of outdated policies and zero-tolerance discipline. And we know the impact of being expelled can follow a child for life: lower graduation rates, increased chances of involvement with the justice system, and long-term barriers to employment and stability. This law sends a powerful message:
Education should lift kids up, not push them out.
From Personal Injury to Policy Protection: The Perazzo Law Firm’s Mission
At The Perazzo Law Firm, we’re known for being fierce advocates when someone is hurt in a car crash, a workplace incident, or any personal injury caused by negligence. But our mission goes beyond injury claims — it’s about justice, dignity, and a fair chance for every family we serve.
That’s why we care deeply about laws like SB 123.
Because when systems fail our children, it’s not just a school problem — it becomes a community problem. And as trusted personal injury lawyers serving Georgia, Florida, and Texas, we believe that preventing harm is just as important as seeking compensation after it happens.
Whether your child has faced unfair treatment in school or your family is dealing with another type of legal hardship, our team brings experience, compassion, and relentless dedication to every case.
What Georgia Parents Need to Know
- Your child can no longer be expelled just for missing too many unexcused days of school.
- You have the right to request academic support services instead of punitive measures.
- You can speak with an attorney if you believe your child’s educational rights have been violated.
Let’s Keep Georgia’s Kids in Class — And On Track
SB 123 doesn’t just reform school policy — it gives Georgia’s youth a second chance. A chance to learn, to grow, and to be understood instead of punished. And when laws like this help protect families, you can count on The Perazzo Law Firm to stand behind them. Whether it’s a personal injury claim or a school-related matter, our attorneys fight for what’s right — 24/7, bilingual, and fully committed.
Call 888-PERAZZO today for a free consultation.
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