Will AI replace Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education?

AI can do 45% of the work Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 3 of their 28 tasks, while 8 more are ready but barely used so far. Robots can technically handle 7 physical tasks. 10 still need a person.

AI is already doing this3 · 27% of time

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

  • Tutor and assist children individually or in small groups to help them master assignments and to reinforce learning concepts presented by teachers.Mostly automated23% of time
  • Type, file, and duplicate materials.Mostly automated3% of time
  • Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.Mostly automated2% of time

AI could do this next8 · 18% of time

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

  • Prepare lesson materials, bulletin board displays, exhibits, equipment, and demonstrations.5% of time
  • Grade homework and tests, and compute and record results, using answer sheets or electronic marking devices.3% of time
  • Observe students' performance, and record relevant data to assess progress.3% of time
  • Organize and label materials and display students' work in a manner appropriate for their eye levels and perceptual skills.3% of time
  • Maintain computers in classrooms and laboratories, and assist students with hardware and software use.2% of time
  • Plan, prepare, and develop various teaching aids, such as bibliographies, charts, and graphs.2% of time
  • Take class attendance and maintain attendance records.2% of time
  • Participate in teacher-parent conferences regarding students' progress or problems.under 1% of time

Robots can technically do this7 · 8% 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.

  • Clean classrooms.Robots: purpose built settings2% of time
  • Distribute teaching materials, such as textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils, to students.Robots: purpose built settings2% of time
  • Distribute tests and homework assignments and collect them when they are completed.Robots: purpose built settings2% of time
  • Laminate teaching materials to increase their durability under repeated use.Robots: purpose built settings2% of time
  • Requisition and stock teaching materials and supplies.Robots: purpose built settings2% of time
  • Collect money from students for school-related projects.Robots: purpose built settingsunder 1% of time
  • Operate and maintain audio-visual equipment.Robots: purpose built settingsunder 1% of time

Still needs a person10 · 47% 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.

  • Supervise students in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, school yards, and gymnasiums, or on field trips.15% of time
  • Present subject matter to students under the direction and guidance of teachers, using lectures, discussions, supervised role-playing methods, or by reading aloud.9% of time
  • Discuss assigned duties with classroom teachers to coordinate instructional efforts.5% of time
  • Enforce administration policies and rules governing students.5% of time
  • Organize and supervise games and other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, and social development.5% of time
  • Teach social skills to students.3% of time
  • Assist in bus loading and unloading.2% of time
  • Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.2% of time
  • Conduct demonstrations to teach skills, such as sports, dancing, and handicrafts.2% of time
  • Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.2% 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 do most of this work faster, but a real part of the job still needs a person. Real use is still behind at 27 out of 100, so the change here is only getting started. The people who learn which tasks to hand off will pull ahead.

What to do next

  • Do the 3 tasks AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
  • Get ahead on the 8 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Keep an eye on the 7 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
  • Build on the 10 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Teaching Assistants, Special Education34%Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary64%Farm and Home Management Educators68%Instructional Coordinators77%Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education45%Special Education Teachers, Preschool45%

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