Support for Safe Return to In-Person School: COVID-19 Testing, Learning, and Consultation

The School TLC Study developed and implemented COVID-19 testing approaches in highly disadvantaged public school settings that addressed barriers to testing and returning to in-person school among vulnerable populations. The study included a COVID-19 test preference study and formative needs assessment to inform ongoing testing approach and services to support in-person schooling. In addition, the study augmented testing with tailored medical consultation and communication strategies in school settings and examined whether these services benefit in-person learning above and beyond testing. Methods included a verbal test preference questionnaire, parent surveys and interviews, and staff interviews. Secondary data sources included test enrollment rates and absenteeism rates.