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Published: March 19 2012

A bill recently passed by both houses of the state legislature, and currently awaiting the Governor’s signature, addresses the need for high school athletic coaches, student athletes and parents to be informed about the nature and risk of certain head injuries, especially concussions. Broward County Public Schools (BCPS), however, is ahead of the game on this issue.

With the welfare of student athletes in mind, the District established guidelines on concussion management for the 2011/12 school year.   An additional measure will go into effect with the beginning of spring football season on May 1. In order to participate in any BCPS high school interscholastic sport, male and female students will be required to have a baseline neurocognitive test.  

A baseline neurocognitive test can be an invaluable tool in assessing the nature and/or seriousness of any head injury a student athlete might receive during the course of the season.

Personnel from the District’s sports medicine partners, Broward Health, Memorial Healthcare System and Nova Southeastern University, will conduct the baseline tests using computers located on-site at the high schools. Approximately 15,000 student athletes will be tested.  Those who participate in more than one sport will not be required to repeat the baseline test, which is good for three years.

The cost of the tests for this school year will be covered by a grant from the University of Pittsburgh.  A grant from Dick’s Sporting Goods will cover the cost for the 2013/14 school year.

To increase awareness, the School Board is expected to adopt a resolution in support of concussion management, and specifically baseline neurocognitive testing for all interscholastic high school athletes at its March 20 meeting, (11:10 a.m. time certain). The meeting will be held at the Kathleen C. Wright Administration Center, 600 SE 3rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale.

Additionally, BECON, the District’s television station is producing a video on the topic and concussion fact sheets will be distributed to athletes and parents at the beginning of each season.  Student athletes will be asked to notify a member of the coaching staff immediately if they suspect they, or a teammate, may have a concussion.

ABOUT BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Broward County Public Schools (BCPS), the nation's sixth largest public school system, is an “A” rated School District. BCPS is the largest fully accredited district in the nation, with over 258,000 students and approximately 150,000 adult students in 234 schools and education centers and 76 charter schools. For more information about BCPS, visit (www.browardschools.com). Follow BCPS on Twitter (@Browardschools). Find us on Facebook at (www.facebook.com/browardschools).