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

Year(s): 2017-2019

CaliforniaPercent
Reason for AbsenceHighMediumLow
Didn’t Miss Any School48.9%41.2%32.7%
Illness (including respiratory and dental problems)23.6%22.5%18.4%
Felt Very Sad, Hopeless, Anxious, Stressed, or Angry0.0%0.1%0.4%
Didn’t Get Enough Sleep0.4%0.7%1.4%
Didn’t Feel Safe at School1.0%1.1%1.6%
Had to Work0.1%0.2%0.3%
Had to Care for or Help a Family Member or Friend1.0%0.9%0.8%
Wanted to Spend Time with Friends Not from School0.1%0.1%0.4%
Wanted to Use Alcohol or Drugs0.0%0.1%0.3%
Was Behind in Schoolwork or Unprepared for Class0.2%0.3%0.3%
Was Bored with or Uninterested in School0.1%0.5%0.6%
Was Suspended0.2%0.3%0.4%
Other Reason9.9%8.8%8.6%
Two or More Reasons14.3%23.4%33.8%