The purpose of the newly implemented Activity Period for the Drew Central High School is new to the 2005-2006 school year to assist students in remediation and in compliance with the law.

Two major factors went into the administration’s decision to add the activity period. One was the large number of students not making proficient or advanced on their benchmark or end of course tests, it was determined by the administration that something had to be added in order to incorporate more study time.

The other factor was the Arkansas General Assembly passed a law that required 360 minutes of instructional time per day. In order to incorporate the additional time to the school time and the activity period the time for the start of the school day, time between classes, and the end of the school day was adjusted. The end result was an additional fourteen minutes to the students’ day.

Frank Ferguson, high school principal stated, “Although the seniors will not be tested in these areas the activity period is an ACT Prep.”