Six Pioneering Pilot Sites in the K-12 Testing Protocol Demonstration Project
Six school sites across the country partnered with The Rockefeller Foundation to pioneer rigorous Covid-19 testing strategies that would keep children safe and schools open for learning. The preliminary report released by Mathematica mid-way through the demonstration project in January paved the way for the federal government to allocate $10 billion to support in-school testing programs.
Implementing Covid-19 Routine Testing in K–12 Schools: Lessons and Recommendations from Pilot Sites offers key lessons learned and questions for school districts and public health partners to consider in their reopening plans for the 2021-2022 school year. Read the testimonials from school officials and report excerpts below:
School leaders have been working overtime to protect our children in this constantly-evolving pandemic. Sharing what they’ve learned and their best practices will ensure our schools are even safer this fall.
Divya VohraSenior Researcher, Mathematica
1. New Orleans, Louisiana
Demand for mobile PCR testing is high among teachers and staff, especially after vacation days
- 71
number of participating sites
We’re not epidemiologists or Covid-19 testing experts—we’re educators. Schools need all the help they can get, so I’m hopeful that our peers use what we learned last year to keep kids safe this year.
Dina HasiotisChief School Support and Improvement Officer, New Orleans Public SchoolsThe critical move that needs to happen is that testing and vaccination can’t occur in silos but need to be a single strategy and a large component of your Covid-19 response strategy.
Testing Lead Testimonial
2. Tulsa, Oklahoma
Nursing staff has successfully administered testing at school sites. In addition, they have dedicated nursing staff willing to conduct testing for summer school programs
- 68
number of participating sites
3. Washington, D.C.
Students and staff have become familiar with antigen testing and have not shown signs of testing fatigue. The staff mentioned that the program has “created an environment that incentivizes testing.”
- 8
number of participating sites
Routine testing—deeply integrated into our proactive Covid-19 response strategy and school safety program—continues to be critical to maintaining a remarkably low positivity rate.
Patricia A. BrantleyChief Executive Officer, Friendship Public Charter Schools in Washington, D.C.The data management side is important. If I had known how big it was going to be, or how long we would have to store the data, I would have advocated that we procure some kind of data management system.
Testing Lead Testimonial
4. Los Angeles, California
Significant support from partners, parents, and city government; many parents and students have expressed enthusiasm for testing and its role in promoting public safety
- 60alternative learning centers
number of participating sites
- 5public schools
number of participating sites
We had a lot of people and volunteers help out, and they did a good job for [our] peace of mind. We were in and out pretty fast: 15 minutes is nothing.
School StaffWith plenty of PPE, I didn't feel unsafe at any time.
School StaffIt's worth the effort and time for us to test the students. We could all feel safer.
School Staff
5. Louisville, Kentucky
Jefferson County Public School District maintained positive relationships with its testing vendor and the community learning hub directors, which has allowed the expansion to the 12 regional sites to run smoothly. Engaging community partners provided a layer of trust and credibility. Additionally, by testing nutrition staff, the school cafeterias could stay open to provide food to students and families as needed. Testing enabled the district to quickly identify and respond to an outbreak among this group
- 12
regional testing sites in middle/high schools
- 17
learning hubs as participating sites
- 1
Central Office Nutritional Center as participating site
Testing is an important layer to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 in our schools and buildings and an important component of the work to keep our schools and buildings open and children in school.
Dr. Eva StoneManager, District Health at Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, KentuckyThere are lots of different reasons [people don’t participate in testing.] We need strong communication between trusted learning leaders and parents.
Testing Lead Testimonial
6. Rhode Island
Despite continued vaccinations, even among educators, there is still support for continued access to testing. School participation increased from 78 to 109 sites. Central Falls School District staff credit its low positivity rate (.21%) and zero in-school transmission cases to strong communications, processes, structures, and commitment to creating safe and healthy learning environments.
- 109
number of participating sites
- Report
Implementing Covid-19 Routine Testing in K–12 Schools: Lessons and Recommendations from Pilot Sites
The Rockefeller Foundation partnered with six school sites across the country to pioneer rigorous Covid-19 testing strategies that would keep children safe and schools open for learning. The effort, called the K-12 Testing Protocol Demonstration Project, launched in October 2020 in 335 schools and affiliated locations across Louisville, Ky.; Los Angeles; New Orleans; Tulsa, Okla.; the District of Columbia; and State of Rhode Island—unearthing key guidance and considerations applicable to peer schools nationwide.Download PDF