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

Year(s): 2017-2019

Santa Barbara Unified (School District)Percent
Reason for AbsenceHighMediumLow
Didn’t Miss Any School52.5%43.3%34.6%
Illness (including respiratory and dental problems)23.4%20.3%18.3%
Felt Very Sad, Hopeless, Anxious, Stressed, or Angry0.1%0.1%0.8%
Didn’t Get Enough Sleep0.5%1.2%1.7%
Didn’t Feel Safe at School0.5%0.8%1.7%
Had to Work0.3%0.3%0.0%
Had to Care for or Help a Family Member or Friend0.4%0.6%0.8%
Wanted to Spend Time with Friends Not from School0.2%0.2%0.4%
Wanted to Use Alcohol or Drugs0.0%0.1%1.0%
Was Behind in Schoolwork or Unprepared for Class0.2%0.4%0.6%
Was Bored with or Uninterested in School0.1%0.4%0.8%
Was Suspended0.2%0.2%0.0%
Other Reason10.4%9.6%10.3%
Two or More Reasons11.1%22.6%29.1%