How to Launch a Baseline Testing Program for Your School District: A Step-by-Step Administrative Guide

Implementing a district-wide baseline concussion testing program is one of the most impactful brain safety initiatives a school district can undertake. Here’s a practical roadmap based on best practices from programs that have done it successfully.

Step 1: Choose your testing platform

Consider your budget, staff capacity, and the domains you want to assess. Options range from ImPACT Baseline alone ($15–$20/athlete, cognitive only, at-home) to comprehensive in-person multi-domain protocols ($40–$75/athlete). Many districts use a hybrid: ImPACT cognitive testing supplemented by athletic trainer-administered mBESS balance assessment.

Step 2: Budget and secure funding

For a typical high school with 300 athletes, budget $4,500–$22,500 annually. Funding sources include athletic department budgets, booster club fundraising, parent-paid testing fees, community sponsorships, and in some states, Title IV-A student safety and health funds. See building the budget case.

Step 3: Train your administrators

Baseline tests should be administered by trained professionals — athletic trainers, school nurses, or designated staff who have completed platform-specific training. ImPACT requires online training and certification. The NATA recommends that baselines be administered by professionals who understand both the testing protocol and the factors that affect data quality.

Step 4: Schedule testing

Integrate baselines into pre-season physical examination windows. Many districts designate specific “baseline testing days” during the first week of each sport season. Avoid scheduling immediately after conditioning workouts or during exam periods.

Step 5: Manage consent and data

Develop a parent consent form that explains the purpose, process, and data handling of baseline testing. Ensure compliance with FERPA (student education records) and, if partnering with an external healthcare provider, HIPAA. Establish secure data storage with defined access permissions. See consent, HIPAA, and FERPA for baseline data.

Step 6: Integrate with your concussion protocol

Baseline testing is only valuable if the data is accessible and actionable when an injury occurs. Ensure your district’s concussion management protocol specifies when and how baseline data is retrieved, who interprets it, and how it informs return-to-play and return-to-learn decisions.

At Headquarters, we provide turnkey implementation support for school districts — from platform selection and staff training to consent form templates and protocol integration. Contact us for a consultation.

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