From Theo’s Story to Action
Theo’s story shows what can happen when a student earns a diploma but does not receive a meaningful opportunity to participate in graduation because of circumstances beyond the student’s control. After six years of advocacy, Theo eventually crossed the stage—but it should not be that hard for a family to secure a moment that recognizes a student’s achievement.
Theo’s Law is proposed legislation in Georgia. It has not been enacted into law.
This page is about how you can support the effort to change that.
THE GAP THEO’S STORY REVEALED
Georgia law and State Board of Education rules establish requirements governing high school graduation, diploma eligibility, academic credits, and secondary school credentials. Theo’s experience brought a different issue into focus: what happens when a student has satisfied the applicable requirements, but circumstances beyond the student’s control prevent participation in the graduation ceremony?
What happens after a student has done the work and earned the diploma, when qualifying circumstances beyond the student’s control prevent participation in the graduation ceremony?
In Theo’s case, the issue was not whether he had earned his achievement. He had. The problem was what happened next.
The diploma was never the only issue. Theo had earned his achievement. What was missing was the moment that publicly recognized it.
Theo’s experience brought this issue into focus. Our review of Georgia’s existing graduation framework identified the need for clearer statewide guidance addressing what happens when an eligible student has completed the requirements for graduation but cannot participate in the scheduled ceremony because of qualifying circumstances beyond the student’s control.
Theo’s Law is proposed Georgia legislation intended to address that issue. It would not replace Georgia’s existing academic graduation requirements; its focus is the meaningful graduation opportunity that comes after those requirements have been met.
Theo’s experience revealed a problem that deserves a thoughtful solution. Now we are asking Georgia to consider one.
Community Outreach
Support the Petition
If Theo’s story matters to you, the most direct way to help is to add your name in support of Theo’s Law.
By signing the petition, you are:
- Supporting the effort to advance Theo’s Law as proposed legislation in Georgia, and
- Helping show that families, educators, and community members care about protecting meaningful graduation opportunities for eligible students who face circumstances beyond their control.
Every signature adds another voice asking Georgia’s leaders to consider this issue and the proposed solution behind Theo’s Law.
Theo’s Law is proposed legislation in Georgia. It has not been enacted into law.
Volunteer With Us
Volunteer With Us
Some people want to do more than sign. If you would like to help beyond the petition, we welcome volunteers who can:
- Share Theo’s story with their own networks,
- Help connect us with community groups, schools, or organizations that should hear about this issue, or
- Support outreach efforts as they develop.
We are a small, focused effort. We do not have a large formal volunteer program, but we do want to hear from people who are willing to help in practical, respectful ways.
Share the Story & Learn More
Share the Story & Learn More
Not everyone can volunteer, but everyone can help more people understand why this issue matters.
You can:
- Share Theo’s Story with friends, family, educators, and community members who care about students with disabilities and graduation.
- Learn about the proposal behind Theo’s Law so you can speak about it accurately and confidently.
Theo’s Law is proposed Georgia legislation and has not been enacted into law. The goal is to create a clearer statewide framework so that when an eligible student cannot participate in their scheduled graduation for qualifying reasons beyond the student’s control, school districts have guidance to provide a meaningful opportunity for that student to be publicly recognized.
Looking Forward
Theo eventually crossed the stage because his family kept asking questions, making calls, and looking for a path forward. Many families do not know whom to contact, what to request, or how to keep pressing when the answer is not clear.
The hope behind Theo’s Law is simple:
that Georgia will adopt a clearer path so another eligible student does not have to wait years for a meaningful graduation opportunity that should have been available when their class graduated.
Your support—whether by signing the petition, volunteering, or sharing the story—helps move that hope closer to reality.