Georgia is among six states selected to participate in a new “Deep Dive” cohort as part of The 50% Challenge, an initiative designed to support states that are accelerating efforts to reduce chronic absence and improve student engagement. The Challenge, sponsored by Attendance Works, was launched with Denise Forte, CEO of EdTrust and Nat Malkus, senior fellow with American Enterprise Institute. 

State School Superintendent Richard Woods committed to The 50% Challenge in 2025, pledging to cut Georgia’s chronic absenteeism rate by 50% over five years. Statewide efforts have already pushed Georgia’s chronic absenteeism rate to its lowest level since before the COVID-19 pandemic, and state leaders are committed to continuing those improvements.

Participation in the new Deep Dive cohort will allow Georgia to access customized coaching, strategic planning, cross-state learning opportunities, and enhanced data infrastructure support.

“Strong leadership at the state level is critical to reducing chronic absence so students can learn and thrive,” Attendance Works CEO and Founder Hedy Chang said. “Under the leadership of Superintendent Woods, the Georgia Department of Education has advanced a cross-agency, data-informed and comprehensive approach that builds the capacity of districts to adopt effective strategies for reducing chronic absence. Georgia’s leadership and momentum from awareness to implementation made the state a strong fit for this deeper partnership.”

The other states invited to participate in the new partnership are California, Connecticut, Maryland, Nebraska, and West Virginia. The work is grounded in The 50% Challenge State Road Map, which helps states like Georgia build effective and sustainable approaches and policies that support district leadership and systems.

“It is urgent that our state continues to tackle chronic absenteeism, which rose in Georgia and states across the nation after the pandemic,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “We’ve seen real progress in Georgia over the last few years, and I’m proud of the work our districts, schools, families, and communities have done. We also know there’s more work to be done. I’m thankful to Attendance Works for their recognition of Georgia’s leadership on this issue and the opportunity to continue learning from partners across the country as we double down on our efforts to keep students in school and learning.”

Inside Georgia’s Work to Address Chronic Absenteeism

Rates of absence increased sharply nationwide after the pandemic, a phenomenon that leads to missed learning opportunities and reduced academic achievement. Leaders and policymakers across the state have made addressing chronic absenteeism a top priority – including through the passage of Senate Bill 123, authored by Sen. John F. Kennedy, in 2025. The law outlines proactive measures to further reduce absence rates across the state.

GaDOE has brought together statewide partners for Attendance Summits to plan next steps to reduce chronic absenteeism; launched a public-facing dashboard to provide data on attendance rates; produced a public service announcement in partnership with Georgia Public Broadcasting to elevate the issue for families, provided extensive training and technical assistance for school districts; and developed a new statewide school climate survey to supply schools with actionable data to improve their safety, climate, and attendance rates.

Districts can click here for attendance resources.