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

Year(s): 2017-2019

Los Angeles Unified (School District)Percent
Reason for AbsenceHighMediumLow
Didn’t Miss Any School51.2%42.3%36.1%
Illness (including respiratory and dental problems)20.7%20.6%17.4%
Felt Very Sad, Hopeless, Anxious, Stressed, or Angry0.1%0.1%0.3%
Didn’t Get Enough Sleep0.6%0.9%1.5%
Didn’t Feel Safe at School1.1%1.5%2.0%
Had to Work0.4%0.4%0.9%
Had to Care for or Help a Family Member or Friend1.0%1.1%1.3%
Wanted to Spend Time with Friends Not from School0.1%0.2%0.3%
Wanted to Use Alcohol or Drugs0.1%0.2%0.0%
Was Behind in Schoolwork or Unprepared for Class0.1%0.2%0.0%
Was Bored with or Uninterested in School0.1%0.4%0.4%
Was Suspended0.3%0.4%0.7%
Other Reason10.6%11.0%12.1%
Two or More Reasons13.7%20.7%27.1%