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Students urge PAUSD board to reconsider proposed Advanced Diploma, warn of stress and equity impacts
Summary
Three Gunn High seniors asked the board not to adopt an Advanced Diploma pathway they say would raise expectations without expanding opportunity and would increase stress and inequity among students.
Three seniors from Gunn High School used open forum to urge the board not to establish an Advanced Diploma pathway that would set an additional, high-achievement certification.
"It seems like another grading metric that could push students to add work to their plates and stress them out," said Leo Fidel, who described requirements he had heard about including multiple AP classes, high standardized-test scores, and an oral portfolio defense.
Marzi Zakott said raising the ceiling risks making "anything less than the highest achievement" appear as failure and could amplify pressure in a community already concerned about student mental health. "If we raise the ceiling even higher for students, it will likely happen anyway," she said.
Aurora Woodley echoed that students benefit from more opportunities but warned that adding a credential without additional learning content could amplify stress without delivering equitable benefits.
Board members acknowledged the students' concerns and said the district must weigh wellness and equity as it debates any credentialing or honors pathways. No action on an Advanced Diploma was taken at the meeting; the comments were entered into the public record during open forum.
