Do students get enough homework? That’s the question that many parents are asking as their kids test poorly on the FCAT and other statewide tests.

The real question is, do students have enough hours in the day in this demanding society.

In a busy 24-hour period, it is recommended that students get eight hours of sleep. Six hours are occupied for school. The average amount to time spent on homework according to U.S. Department of Education, is 30 to 90 minutes. Then if these students plan on attending college in the future than more than likely they also have a job. Minors clock in an average of five hours. If they want their college application to standout then they should be involved in extracurricular activities and here at Lakeland High the football team spend 3hrs practicing to become great. For those who don’t participate in sport youth should spend 90 minutes exercising. With this all totaled up to about 24hours, there would be very little flexibility in the lives of our teens.

Here at Lakeland Senior, the students are more active then the LHS alumni from the 50s and 60’s. In a world were the standards are pushed up everyday from new technology to the curriculum for 1st graders. The standard for succeed 15years ago was to get a college degree, now the standard to succeed is to have a masters degree. According to Florida October current population surveys, from 1997 to 2000 the college enrollment is at a total of 739,279. With All this attention to thrive and with only 24 hours in the day something has to drive. Now given that at LHS 62 percent of the students read below grade level according to the Annual Report Card. Obviously we need more homework but as a society the focus is on the extras. In sports athlete’s head to professional levels as soon as possible not honing their skills. The phrase that best describes the mentally is “ GET IT WHILE YOU CAN”. “With all these standardized test and requirements we’ve taken away the craft of teaching,” says Mr. James Fream. Maybe more homework is not the answer afterall.