ISSUE 84 | November 11, 2020

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From Around the Region and the State Economic and Policy News

Two local districts among most underfunded by state  According to a new analysis from Pennsylvania State University, the Hazleton Area and Greater Nanticoke Area school districts are among the most underfunded districts in Pennsylvania. The study supports a lawsuit alleging that a majority of the commonwealth’s school districts have funding shortfalls of more than $2,000 per student. These funding shortfalls are particularly harmful to lower-income communities.  Click here to read the full article Students stressed due to COVID-19 and school disruptions Social service providers in Northeast Pennsylvania have observed that stress and uncertainty from the pandemic are negatively affecting children in the region. Social isolation, household tension, and disruption from the closing and reopening of schools may exacerbate anxiety and depression among students, and may lead to new health or behavioral issues.  Click here to read the full article Pennsylvania at critical point in pandemic At a recent news conference, Pennsylvania health secretary Dr. Rachel Levine explained that the commonwealth is currently at a “critical point” in the pandemic, urging communities to take precautions such as wearing masks and avoiding gatherings. Cases in Pennsylvania have increased by more than 70 percent in the last two weeks, and more than half the state’s counties have “substantial” levels of community transmission. Click here to read the full article

From Around the Nation and the Globe Economic and Policy News

School nurses are helping students stay well – even virtually Many children in the United States rely on their school nurses for healthcare, medication, and support, but school closures have made it difficult for them to meet in person. Some districts have adjusted by establishing virtual clinics, and connect with families remotely in order to continue meeting student health needs. Click here to read the full article City rents are falling and suburban rents are climbing Rents have fallen sharply and vacancies have increased in major coastal cities such as New York, Boston, San Francisco, and Seattle. Meanwhile, rents have been increasing in the suburban areas surrounding those cities.  These trends are partly driven by the pandemic, which caused many renters to migrate from urban areas as workplaces and amenities closed, although housing market conditions prior to the pandemic may have been factors as well. Click here to read the full article Why has COVID-19 been especially harmful for working women? A new report from the Brookings Institution discusses how COVID-19 has been particularly harmful to working women and mothers in the United States. Before the pandemic, women – especially Black and Latina women – were disproportionately represented in low-paying jobs, many of which have been disrupted by the coronavirus.  Women have also taken on more of the childcare responsibilities exacerbated by the pandemic.  Click here to read the full article

Research Spotlight: Interested in reading more about the pandemic's effect on regional public school education? The Institute recently published a two-part report on this very issue! Read Part 1 Read Part 2

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