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

Year(s): 2017-2019

Merced CountyPercent
Reason for AbsenceHighMediumLow
Didn’t Miss Any School46.9%41.1%32.6%
Illness (including respiratory and dental problems)26.2%22.3%20.2%
Felt Very Sad, Hopeless, Anxious, Stressed, or Angry0.0%0.1%0.7%
Didn’t Get Enough Sleep0.3%0.7%1.3%
Didn’t Feel Safe at School0.8%1.2%0.8%
Had to Work0.1%0.0%0.2%
Had to Care for or Help a Family Member or Friend1.1%1.4%0.8%
Wanted to Spend Time with Friends Not from School0.0%0.1%0.8%
Wanted to Use Alcohol or Drugs0.0%0.1%0.4%
Was Behind in Schoolwork or Unprepared for Class0.1%0.3%0.2%
Was Bored with or Uninterested in School0.2%0.3%0.4%
Was Suspended0.3%0.3%0.4%
Other Reason11.5%10.8%10.9%
Two or More Reasons12.5%21.4%30.4%