Reasons for School Absence in Past Month, by Parent Education Level

Year(s): 2017-2019

Merced CountyPercent
Reason for AbsenceDid Not Finish High SchoolHigh School DiplomaSome CollegeAt Least 4-Year Degree
Didn’t Miss Any School40.5%40.8%40.9%44.0%
Illness (including respiratory and dental problems)23.2%25.4%23.1%24.2%
Felt Very Sad, Hopeless, Anxious, Stressed, or Angry0.3%0.1%0.0%0.1%
Didn’t Get Enough Sleep0.6%0.6%1.1%0.4%
Didn’t Feel Safe at School0.7%1.0%0.6%0.9%
Had to Work0.0%0.2%0.1%0.0%
Had to Care for or Help a Family Member or Friend1.3%1.5%1.1%0.9%
Wanted to Spend Time with Friends Not from School0.1%0.3%0.0%0.1%
Wanted to Use Alcohol or Drugs0.1%0.1%0.1%0.2%
Was Behind in Schoolwork or Unprepared for Class0.1%0.2%0.3%0.1%
Was Bored with or Uninterested in School0.2%0.3%0.2%0.2%
Was Suspended0.4%0.3%0.4%0.2%
Other Reason10.6%10.8%10.1%11.9%
Two or More Reasons21.8%18.4%22.1%16.6%