Will AI replace Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education?
AI can do 70% of the work Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 8 of their 32 tasks, while 9 more are ready but barely used so far. Robots can technically handle 2 physical tasks. 13 still need a person.
AI is already doing this8 · 48% of time
People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.
- Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.Mostly automated22% of time
- Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.Mostly automated6% 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
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.Mostly automated4% of time
- Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.Mostly automated4% of time
- Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.Mostly automated3% of time
- Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.Mostly automated2% of time
- Collaborate with other teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of secondary school programs.Mostly assisted1% of time
AI could do this next9 · 22% of time
AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.
- Assign and grade class work and homework.6% of time
- Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.4% of time
- Prepare for assigned classes, and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors.4% of time
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.2% of time
- Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.2% of time
- Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and to determine priorities for their children and their resource needs.1% of time
- Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.1% of time
- Administer standardized ability and achievement tests, and interpret results to determine students' strengths and needs.1% of time
- Provide students with disabilities with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities such as restrooms.1% of time
Robots can technically do this2 · 7% 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 settings6% of time
- Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
Still needs a person13 · 22% 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.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.3% of time
- Sponsor extracurricular activities, such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.3% of time
- Guide and counsel students with adjustments, academic problems, or special academic interests.2% of time
- Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.2% of time
- Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.2% of time
- Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.2% of time
- Perform administrative duties, such as school library assistance, hall and cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading.2% of time
- Enforce all administration policies and rules governing students.1% of time
- Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.1% of time
- Instruct and monitor students in the use of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.1% of time
- Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress.1% of time
- Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help.1% of time
- Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers, or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities.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.
What this means
AI can do most of this work faster, but a real part of the job still needs a person. People in this job already use it heavily. The people who learn which tasks to hand off will pull ahead.
What to do next
- Do the 8 tasks AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
- Get ahead on the 9 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
- Keep an eye on the 2 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
- Build on the 13 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
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