A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. Concussions can also occur from a fall or blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth. In school aged children, many of these brain injuries can occur during a sports practice or event.
As of 2011, Massachusetts has required public schools and other schools subject to the rules of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) for grades 6-12 with extracurricular sports to develop an interscholastic head injury safety program. Schools must develop standardized procedures regarding the management and return to play decisions regarding students who incur head injuries while involved in extracurricular athletic activities in order to protect their health and safety.
Regulations on head injuries and concussions in extracurricular activities
The regulations below, Head Injuries and Concussions in Extracurricular Athletic Activities provides explicit guidance to school administrators, athletic directors, coaches, certified athletic trainers, medical providers, school nurses, parents and students on their roles in implementing sports concussion management programs in their schools.
Required forms for schools with extracurricular sports activities
The Pre-participation form must be filled out by the student and parent prior to the beginning of every sports season and reviewed by the coach and school nurse to ensure that it is safe for the student to play in school sports.
The Report of Head Injury Form should be filled out whenever a student has had a suspected head injury in school sports or outside of school sports.
The Post Sports-Related Head Injury Medical Clearance and Authorization Form should be filled out by a medical provider authorized to clear a student athletic diagnosed with a concussion to return to play.
You can also download Spanish and Portuguese translations of each form.
Required yearly reporting for schools
Year end reporting form
The Year End Reporting Form for Schools is required for all public schools and other schools subject to the rules of the MIAA with extracurricular sports grades 6-12 and should be submitted to the Department of Public Health annually by August 30.
- Electronic: Year End Report for 2017-2018
- Paper form: Year End Report for Schools 2017-2018
Additional materials: guidance for schools
- Head Strong: Guidance for Implementing Mass. Regulations on Head Injuries & Concussions in School Athletics PDF | (DOC)
- Revised Update to Head Strong, Effective August 1, 2014 PDF | (DOC)
- Sports-related Head Injury Regulations Frequently Asked Questions PDF | (DOC)
- MDPH Guidance on 504 or IEP Plans for Students Returning to Academic Work PDF | (DOC)
- Stop Addiction PDF Brochure PDF | (DOC)
- Stop Addiction PDF Brochure - Spanish PDF | (DOC)