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

Year(s): 2017-2019

Santa Cruz CountyPercent
Reason for AbsenceHighMediumLow
Didn’t Miss Any School44.0%39.0%30.3%
Illness (including respiratory and dental problems)25.6%22.7%20.3%
Felt Very Sad, Hopeless, Anxious, Stressed, or Angry0.0%0.0%0.2%
Didn’t Get Enough Sleep0.6%1.1%1.6%
Didn’t Feel Safe at School0.4%0.9%0.6%
Had to Work0.1%0.2%0.1%
Had to Care for or Help a Family Member or Friend0.9%0.5%0.5%
Wanted to Spend Time with Friends Not from School0.1%0.2%0.4%
Wanted to Use Alcohol or Drugs0.1%0.0%0.0%
Was Behind in Schoolwork or Unprepared for Class0.1%0.3%0.0%
Was Bored with or Uninterested in School0.0%0.7%1.2%
Was Suspended0.4%0.6%0.2%
Other Reason7.8%7.4%7.2%
Two or More Reasons19.8%26.4%37.3%