Implementing testing strategies can be a heavy lift for school administrators and staff. The Learn to Return program can lighten the load.

Learn to Return is a free and easy solution for school-based testing and vaccination events for the 2021-22 school year. The Washington State Department of Health, in conjunction with Health Commons Project, is making it easier for schools across the state to do both diagnostic testing and screening testing for COVID-19. Read full press release (May 2021)

Through a combination of safety measures, including COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, Washington schools can minimize transmission of the disease and help Washington communities get back to full-time, in-person learning with confidence.

The no-cost streamlined enrollment process allows districts to launch testing programs in 1 to 3 weeks.

Contact NCESD’s COVID Testing-Screening Coordinator today to get started.

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Vaccines are safe, effective, and essential, but it will take time to reach vaccination rates that will effectively limit transmission in schools so that other safety strategies, like testing, are no longer necessary.

Through a combination of safety measures, including testing and increased vaccinations, Washington schools can minimize transmissions of the disease and help Washington communities get back to school and back to life.

Learn why vaccines & testing are the dynamic duo that will help schools open and stay open with confidence

District Benefits

  • Free, low-barrier access to innovative testing technologies vetted by the Department of Health. Testing is free; there is no out-of-pocket cost or co-pay for schools or families. The Washington State Department of Health covers costs for school-based diagnostic and screen tests and funding continues through July 2022.

  • L2R tests are quick and painless. All tests available through L2R use a shallow nasal swab to collect samples from the participating students and staff. This is not the dreaded “brain tickler” or nasopharyngeal swab. The shallow nasal swab only enters half-an-inch into each nostril, makes several rotations, and is placed, swab-side down in the collection tube.
  • One-on-one strategic support and technical assistance from a L2R Program Manager. L2M Program Managers have solutions to your operational concerns like insurance billing, program costs, staff time, testing logistics, and more.

Screenshot from the L2R website | August 19, 2021

Resources

More Coming Soon!

Learn to Return Playbook

Washington State Department of Health
This Playbook shares learnings from a state-funded pilot in 13 WA school districts, and includes guidance on best practices and protocols to scale and sustain COVID-19 mitigation policies so that school buildings can open and stay open for in-person learning.

View Learn to Return Playbook

School-Based Vaccination Events

Learn to Return
Learn to Return districts can take the lead in supporting vaccine uptake in their communities. L2R program managers help districts connect the dots, mobilize stakeholders, and host successful vaccination events for school communities.

Learn More About School-Based Vaccination Events

Parent & Student Information

Learn to Return
School-based testing offered through Learn to Return is voluntary, free, painless, and private. The L2R website offers more info and resources for parents and students about the testing and program.

More Information for Parents & Students