Unlocking Georgia’s Potential

Georgia loses over $14 billion each year when students don’t graduate high school.
This groundbreaking study from Georgia State University shows that exclusionary discipline—like suspensions and expulsions—drives down graduation rates and drains Georgia’s economy.

Using data from the 2022 graduating class, researchers found that:

• 21,000 students didn’t graduate, leading to
  – $1.8 billion in state fiscal costs
  – $1.9 billion in federal costs
  – $10.7 billion in lost lifetime income

• Most long-term suspensions were for minor behavior, not serious safety threats.

• Each high-school diploma adds about $500,000 in lifetime income and reduces public costs for health care and crime.

The takeaway is clear: keeping kids in school isn’t just good for students — it’s a high-return investment in Georgia’s economy, public safety, and community well-being.

Read the full report: Unlocking Georgia’s Potential: The Long-Term Economic and Social Benefits of Keeping Students in School