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

Year(s): 2017-2019

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified (School District)Percent
Reason for AbsenceHighMediumLow
Didn’t Miss Any School41.3%36.2%22.8%
Illness (including respiratory and dental problems)29.9%27.9%26.5%
Felt Very Sad, Hopeless, Anxious, Stressed, or Angry0.1%0.0%0.0%
Didn’t Get Enough Sleep0.5%0.4%0.0%
Didn’t Feel Safe at School0.7%0.8%0.7%
Had to Work0.0%0.1%0.3%
Had to Care for or Help a Family Member or Friend0.6%0.6%0.3%
Wanted to Spend Time with Friends Not from School0.3%0.1%0.0%
Wanted to Use Alcohol or Drugs0.0%0.0%0.3%
Was Behind in Schoolwork or Unprepared for Class0.1%0.4%0.3%
Was Bored with or Uninterested in School0.1%0.2%0.3%
Was Suspended0.1%0.6%0.0%
Other Reason9.4%6.8%9.4%
Two or More Reasons16.6%25.8%38.9%