Reasons for School Absence in Past Month, by Level of School Connectedness

Year(s): 2017-2019

Berkeley Unified (School District)Percent
Reason for AbsenceHighMediumLow
Didn’t Miss Any School47.4%39.8%38.8%
Illness (including respiratory and dental problems)27.4%26.6%24.6%
Felt Very Sad, Hopeless, Anxious, Stressed, or Angry0.0%0.3%0.0%
Didn’t Get Enough Sleep0.7%1.8%3.7%
Didn’t Feel Safe at School0.5%1.5%0.7%
Had to Work0.1%0.0%0.7%
Had to Care for or Help a Family Member or Friend0.7%0.5%0.7%
Wanted to Spend Time with Friends Not from School0.1%0.5%0.7%
Wanted to Use Alcohol or Drugs0.2%0.2%1.5%
Was Behind in Schoolwork or Unprepared for Class0.1%0.8%0.0%
Was Bored with or Uninterested in School0.3%0.3%0.7%
Was Suspended0.0%0.5%0.0%
Other Reason7.9%8.6%6.7%
Two or More Reasons14.5%18.5%20.9%