ATLANTA — As Georgia’s public schools grapple with a surge in student violence, a controversial piece of legislation known as the Parent Accountability Act is gaining traction ahead of the 2026 General Assembly session.
Championed by the Georgia Federation of Teachers (GFT), the proposed bill aims to hold parents criminally liable for their children’s assaults on educators, igniting a fierce debate over accountability, family rights, and the root causes of classroom disruptions.
With recent high-profile incidents in Atlanta-area schools underscoring the urgency, supporters say it’s time for parents to step up, while critics warn it could exacerbate inequities and fail to address deeper issues.
The Rising Tide of School Violence
The push for the Parent Accountability Act comes amid alarming statistics on school safety. According to a review of state data by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgia public schools reported 755 instances of students being disciplined for violence against teachers during the 2023-2024 school year alone…