Many rumors exist at Palo Alto High School about the restrictions upon tests and work that that bind teachers the week before finals, which is colloquially known as dead week. Because of this, students may be wondering exactly what the school academic policy stipulates for dead week and how it applies to them.

The student handbook provides clarification on page 19 under the entry “Final Exam Study Days (Review Days),” and for students expecting a sweeping no homework or test policy, this excerpt may come as somewhat of a letdown:

“There will be no field trips and activities that interrupt class time, excluding athletics, during the week before final exams. Teachers should not remove students from classes other than their own during review days or finals week. Teachers should adhere to policies regarding departmental test days and quizzes. Major projects should not be due during finals. There should be at least two days set aside for review for finals, and no major tests at least two days before finals begin. (Definition of a final is a quarter or semester’s worth of work; a unit test is not a final.)”

In short, it is permissible for a teacher to test during dead week unless the tests are administered Thursday or Friday. AP classes are not exempt from this policy.

If students feel that a teacher has violated the rules regarding school testing policy, they may speak to any of the assistant principals to resolve that issue, according to Assistant Principal Todd Feinberg.

“Whenever we receive a concern or complaint regarding a testing day or review week policy we follow up with the teacher and/or the instructional supervisor,” Feinberg added.