Breaking: Georgia sets target date for concert in Sanford Stadium
Education
Education

Lawmakers to schools: stop suspending students

Sen. Emanuel Jones, D-Decatur, sponsored Senate Bill 152 to encourage schools to send students to alternative education programs rather than suspend or expel them. The House Education Committee approved the bill Monday in a 9-6 vote.

Credit: Jason Getz, jgetz@ajc.com

Credit: Jason Getz, jgetz@ajc.com

Sen. Emanuel Jones, D-Decatur, sponsored Senate Bill 152 to encourage schools to send students to alternative education programs rather than suspend or expel them. The House Education Committee approved the bill Monday in a 9-6 vote.
By Will Robinson
March 21, 2017

The House Education Committee voted 9-6 Monday to approve a bill to make alternative education Georgia’s preferred school disciplinary policy rather than suspension or expulsion.

By stating "it is preferable," Senate Bill 152 preserves local control over disciplinary decisions, but the bill draws attention to schools that excessively suspend or expel students.

"This bill does not interfere in any way with the disciplinary process," said the bill's sponsor, Senator Emanuel Jones, D-Decatur.

The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 52-0 on March 1. Its next step will be to come before the House for a full vote.

RELATED: Track bills, lawmakers: Georgia Legislative Navigator

About the Author

Will Robinson
More Stories

Keep Reading

A Georgia student warned friends about a shooting threat. He was expelled for it. (Abbey Edmonson/AJC)

Credit: Abbey Edmonson

Georgia student going to court after being expelled for warning of threat

The middle school student was expelled after he sent messages to friends about a video he'd seen with someone threatening to shoot up area schools.

School starts in about a month in metro Atlanta. Check the dates here.

Most students in metro Atlanta will start school the first week of August, while others go back in July. Some school districts are already preparing for the return.

Supreme Court rulings could factor into case of Cobb teacher fired over book

Two Supreme Court rulings could impact a lawsuit by a Georgia teacher fired over a book she read to her class.

The Latest

A Georgia student warned friends about a shooting threat. He was expelled for it. (Abbey Edmonson/AJC)

Credit: Abbey Edmonson

Georgia student going to court after being expelled for warning of threat

Supreme Court rulings could factor into case of Cobb teacher fired over book

School starts in about a month in metro Atlanta. Check the dates here.

Featured

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. (center) is flanked by GOP whip Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (left) and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as Thune speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earlier Tuesday, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Credit: AP

Senate GOP passes budget bill Democrats describe as ‘a catastrophe’

Republicans in the U.S. Senate have passed the “big, beautiful bill” championed by President Donald Trump, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tiebreaking vote.

State Farm Arena top 5 globally in box office — behind only Sphere, MSG in U.S.

State Farm Arena brought in about $76.2 million across 60 events.

At a store that never closes, an armed comedian keeps the midnight watch

At JJ Food Mart on the west side of Atlanta, an armed comedian keeps the midnight watch. If you misbehave, Connell Daniels Jr. might put you on Instagram.