Dr. Osgood examines the origins of special education in the United States through the lens of the intentional marginalization and disempowerment of persons with disabilities. He traces events and perspectives dating to the first half of the nineteenth century up to the mid-1900s.

This presentation is part of "Disability, Race, and Education," a year-long colloquium series that critically examines the longstanding challenges that minoritized children and youth face in the special education system. Scholars with multiple disciplinary perspectives, such as history, education, disability studies, sociology, and educational statistics, consider issues of equity, access, and inclusion. The series aims to uncover underlying reasons for this problem and consider alternatives for achieving equitable education for all students.