Chronic absenteeism — when a student misses 10% or more of the school year — has dropped to 19.5% in Georgia, its lowest rate since before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019-20.

“There’s a lot of really good schools in the Middle Georgia area, and we just want to be one of them,” Absher said. “I’m excited for the program, and I hope it does a lot of good things.” ...

Georgia lawmakers and sports leaders held a press conference at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to promote House Resolution 347, urging all state high schools to establish girls flag football teams.