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A Neuroscientific Approach to the Examination of Concussions in Student-Athletes
Published on: December 8, 2014
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Variations in State Laws Governing School Reintegration Following Concussion
Leah L Thompson1, Vivian H Lyons2,3, Melissa McCart4
1Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington.
Pediatrics
|December 13, 2016
Summary
State laws for concussion school reintegration, or Return-to-Learn (RTL), are uncommon and lack specific guidance. Few laws mandate education for school personnel, highlighting a need for improved legal frameworks to support students post-concussion.
Area of Science:
- Public Health Law
- Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury
- Educational Policy
Background:
- Concussion management in youth requires clear guidelines for academic reintegration.
- Current state concussion laws' effectiveness in addressing school reintegration is not well-understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the prevalence, scope, and specificity of school reintegration provisions in state concussion laws.
- To assess the legal landscape governing Return-to-Learn (RTL) for student athletes.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and independent coding of state concussion laws enacted as of May 2016.
- Classification of laws based on mandates for institutional action related to academic reintegration post-concussion.
Main Results:
- Return-to-Learn (RTL) provisions were found in laws of only 8 states.
- Most RTL laws (75%) assigned responsibility to schools, but only 25% mandated education for school personnel.
- No laws offered guidance for persistent postconcussive symptoms, and only one cited an evidence-based standard.
Conclusions:
- State concussion laws provide limited and vague guidance on Return-to-Learn (RTL).
- There is a significant opportunity for legislative improvement to better integrate laws with current research and best practices.
- Enhanced legal frameworks are needed to support students with concussions effectively.
