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DLVA student presents survey-based project urging data-driven approach to teen stress
Summary
Eleventh-grader Maya Salim presented an 11-response survey showing frequent school-week stress and recommended a student feedback loop; DLVA leaders told the board participation and graduation rates rose after staff restructuring and targeted outreach.
Deeper Learning Virtual Academy student Maya Salim told the West Allis-West Milwaukee School Board on May 11 that students report feeling stressed "almost every day" and urged the district to use student data to guide supports rather than add standalone programs. "Students want structure changes, not coping workshops," Salim said during the student showcase.
The presentation followed an overview from Dr. Smith of DLVA, who described a "teaching with intent" model (20% synchronous, 80% asynchronous) and credited system changes with sharply higher test participation: preACT testing rose from about 27% in 2023—24 to 97% this year; ACT participation rose from about 47% to 93%. "We restructured the entire teaching staff," Dr. Smith said, citing a roundtable spreadsheet, a proprietary credit tracker and standardized outreach cycles as key practices to improve engagement and graduation projections.
Board members praised the student work and asked about sample size and outreach methods. Board member Becker noted the student survey had 11 responses and asked whether the sample represented DLVA broadly; Salim said responses were gathered via social media and invited broader participation in future iterations.
Why it matters: The board heard a student-driven proposal that frames mental-health supports as matters of instructional design and pacing, not solely as extra programming. District staff said the showcase aligns with ongoing efforts to boost participation, accountability and graduation rates.
Board next steps: The student showcase concluded without formal action; administrators said they would continue outreach and monitoring and incorporate student feedback loops into local planning.
