The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, in partnership with the National Center on Inclusion Towards Rightful Presence, continues to support schools and districts in advancing inclusive practices that ensure every student experiences rightful presence, belonging, and meaningful engagement in high-quality instruction.
Through the partnership with the National Center on Inclusion Towards Rightful Presence, participating districts receive coaching, professional learning, and technical assistance to build sustainable, inclusive systems. These systems improve outcomes for students with disabilities, specifically those with significant support needs, while enhancing educational experiences for all students.
In May of 2026, the School District of Altoona, one of Wisconsin's demonstration sites, welcomed educators from across the state to observe inclusive systems and student-centered practices in action at elementary and secondary levels. Visitors observed collaborative planning, inclusive instruction, and strong co-serving partnerships that promote equitable learning opportunities for all students.
"Our partnership with the National Center on Inclusion Towards Rightful Presence continues to strengthen Wisconsin's commitment to inclusion," said Iris Jacobson, Consultant for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. "Altoona demonstrates what is possible when schools intentionally build systems that honor the inherent value of each and every student."
As a demonstration site, Altoona exemplifies how inclusive practices can be embedded throughout school culture and daily instruction. The School District of Altoona will be hosting Model Demonstration Site visits in the fall and spring of the 2026-2027 school year. The visits are open to educators and leaders across the state. Contact Missy Lesik at mlesik@altoona.k12.wi.us or Iris Jacobson at iris.jacobson@dpi.wi.gov for more information.
The Wisconsin DPI and the National Center on Inclusion Towards Rightful Presence remain committed to expanding opportunities for schools across the state to learn from these successful models and advance inclusive education for every learner.
This content is sourced from
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
. It reflects the author's views and has not been edited by our newsroom. It may have been generated using AI assistance.
