[DonRotolo]

Go to youe guidance counselor, explain, and ask for advice. Or an administrator that you know. I need a lot more info to give an opinion, but those who work in the school may have better insight. On the other hand, a long essay that will interfere with other important exams may have an overly significant impact.

Fair? A fair is a place you take your kids. I get assignments at work that keep me late sometimes, weekends too, but that's the nature of the beast.

But if the teacher is just being sadistic, perhaps someone in authority should be made aware.

Of course, no matter what: Turn in the big essay.

Don