Will AI replace Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors?

AI can do 78% of the work Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 7 of their 37 tasks, while 18 more are ready but barely used so far. Robots can technically handle 1 physical task. 11 still need a person.

AI is already doing this7 · 21% of time

People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.

  • Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs, abilities, and interests.Mostly assisted5% of time
  • Observe and evaluate students' work to determine progress and make suggestions for improvement.Mostly automated5% of time
  • Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.Mostly automated5% of time
  • Provide information, guidance, and preparation for the General Equivalency Diploma (GED) examination.Mostly automated2% of time
  • Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.Mostly automated2% of time
  • Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.Mostly automated2% of time
  • Review instructional content, methods, and student evaluations to assess strengths and weaknesses, and to develop recommendations for course revision, development, or elimination.Mostly automated2% of time

AI could do this next18 · 57% of time

AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.

  • Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods, such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.25% of time
  • Conduct classes, workshops, and demonstrations to teach principles, techniques, or methods in subjects, such as basic English language skills, life skills, and workforce entry skills.6% of time
  • Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws or administrative policies.5% of time
  • Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.3% of time
  • Prepare and administer written, oral, and performance tests and issue grades in accordance with performance.3% of time
  • Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help.2% of time
  • Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems or special academic interests.2% of time
  • Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons that promote learning, following approved curricula.2% of time
  • Prepare for assigned classes and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors.2% of time
  • Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.2% of time
  • Select, order, and issue books, materials, and supplies for courses or projects.2% of time
  • Collaborate with other teachers and professionals in the development of instructional programs.2% of time
  • Participate in publicity planning, community awareness efforts, and student recruitment.2% of time
  • Advise students on internships, prospective employers, and job placement services.2% of time
  • Select and schedule class times to ensure maximum attendance.under 1% of time
  • Provide students with disabilities with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.under 1% of time
  • Confer with leaders of government and community groups to coordinate student training or to find opportunities for students to fulfill curriculum requirements.under 1% of time
  • Observe and evaluate the performance of other instructors.under 1% of time

Robots can technically do this1 · 5% of time

Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.

  • Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.Robots: purpose built settings5% of time

Still needs a person11 · 17% of time

No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.

  • Assign and grade class work and homework.5% of time
  • Prepare students for further education by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.2% of time
  • Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students for whom they are responsible.2% of time
  • Observe students to determine qualifications, limitations, abilities, interests, and other individual characteristics.2% of time
  • Register, orient, and assess new students according to standards and procedures.2% of time
  • Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress.2% of time
  • Attend professional meetings, conferences, and workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.2% of time
  • Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.2% of time
  • Train and assist tutors and community literacy volunteers.2% of time
  • Enforce administration policies and rules governing students.under 1% of time
  • Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers, contests, or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities.under 1% of time

Your week is not the average

Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.

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What this means

AI can already do almost all of this work at least twice as fast. Real use is still behind at 17 out of 100, so the change here is only getting started. Expect the role to shift toward deciding what to do, checking AI's work and owning the result.

What to do next

  • Do the 7 tasks AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
  • Get ahead on the 18 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Keep an eye on the 1 physical task robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
  • Build on the 11 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Tutors76%Self-Enrichment Teachers61%Substitute Teachers, Short-Term15%Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary78%English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary78%Instructional Coordinators77%

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