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

Year(s): 2017-2019

Kern CountyPercent
Reason for AbsenceHighMediumLow
Didn’t Miss Any School43.2%35.2%30.9%
Illness (including respiratory and dental problems)25.8%22.8%18.6%
Felt Very Sad, Hopeless, Anxious, Stressed, or Angry0.1%0.1%0.7%
Didn’t Get Enough Sleep0.4%0.9%1.9%
Didn’t Feel Safe at School1.1%1.4%1.8%
Had to Work0.2%0.3%0.6%
Had to Care for or Help a Family Member or Friend1.2%1.2%1.2%
Wanted to Spend Time with Friends Not from School0.2%0.2%0.3%
Wanted to Use Alcohol or Drugs0.1%0.1%0.5%
Was Behind in Schoolwork or Unprepared for Class0.2%0.3%0.4%
Was Bored with or Uninterested in School0.1%0.5%0.9%
Was Suspended0.3%0.4%0.3%
Other Reason11.2%10.2%8.7%
Two or More Reasons15.9%26.6%33.1%