This work explores the historical trajectory of screen media technologies in American education, revealing why they failed to deliver the promised educational revolution. Long before the advent of Chromebooks and remote learning, reformers championed film screenings, television programs, and computer games as solutions to educational challenges. Despite their enthusiasm, the anticipated transformation never materialized. The author chronicles key moments in the history of educational technology, highlighting the efforts of reformers, technocrats, and educators to leverage screen media for student development. Beginning in the 1930s, advocates viewed screens as vital for training citizens, showcasing films such as the racially charged *Birth of a Nation*. In the 1950s and 1960s, both technocrats and progressive educators utilized screens to prepare students for Cold War citizenship. From the 1970s to the 1990s, the introduction of commercial television and personal computers in classrooms signified a shift towards a more privatized approach to education and civic engagement. The narrative reveals that the challenges surrounding screens in schools extend beyond technological advancements, reflecting deeper issues of citizenship, racial dynamics, private funding, and mistrust of educators. Ultimately, the technologies intended to enhance education instead exacerbated existing inequalities.
