Will AI Replace Special Education Teachers, Middle School?

Develop or write Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students.

decision support — Drafts program outlines; institutional design and approval human

Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.

interpersonal — Rules need school culture and accountability judgment

Develop and implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of handicapping conditions.

decision support — AI suggests strategies; individualized special-needs judgment human

Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.

physical manipulation — Setting up classroom materials is physical arrangement

Instruct students in daily living skills required for independent maintenance and self-sufficiency, such as hygiene, safety, and food preparation.

interpersonal — Life-skill teaching is embodied relational work

Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement.

interpersonal — Life-skill teaching is embodied relational work

Modify the general education curriculum for students with disabilities, based upon a variety of instructional techniques and instructional technology.

interpersonal — Accommodation requires knowing the student

Employ special educational strategies and techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, and memory.

decision support — AI suggests strategies; individualized special-needs judgment human

Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.

interpersonal — Progress discussions need relationship and judgment

Coordinate placement of students with special needs into mainstream classes.

decision support — AI suggests strategies; individualized special-needs judgment human

Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, and professionals to develop individual educational plans (IEPs) for students' educational, physical, and social development.

interpersonal — Curriculum collaboration is professional consensus work

Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.

text generation — Drafts instructional objectives; educator refines and validates

Maintain accurate and complete student records, and prepare reports on children and activities, as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.

text generation — Draft student activity/performance reports from records

Teach students personal development skills, such as goal setting, independence, and self-advocacy.

interpersonal — Life-skill teaching is embodied relational work

Guide and counsel students with adjustments, academic problems, or special academic interests.

interpersonal — Career guidance drafted; mentor relationship human

Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.

decision support — Grading aided; rubric judgment and accountability human

Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.

interpersonal — Selecting and applying methods to real learners is human

Collaborate with other teachers that provide instruction to special education students to ensure that the students receive appropriate support.

interpersonal — Curriculum collaboration is professional consensus work

Monitor teachers and teacher assistants to ensure that they adhere to inclusive special education program requirements.

interpersonal — Directing subordinates carries accountability and motivation

Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and to determine priorities for their children and their resource needs.

interpersonal — Progress discussions need relationship and judgment

Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.

data analysis — AI grades and tracks metrics; human interprets holistically

Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.

text generation — Drafts activity plans; educator adapts to learners

Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.

text generation — Generate learning content; human owns pedagogy

Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.

text generation — Drafts instructional objectives; educator refines and validates

Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.

interpersonal — Curriculum collaboration is professional consensus work

Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.

text generation — Item writing from specs, human reviews validity

Prepare for assigned classes, and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors.

text generation — Draft lesson plans from curriculum inputs

Administer standardized ability and achievement tests, and interpret results to determine students' strengths and needs.

interpersonal — Test administration requires proctoring and live interaction

Meet with parents and guardians to provide guidance in using community resources and to teach skills for dealing with students' impairments.

interpersonal — Progress discussions need relationship and judgment

Provide additional instruction in vocational areas.

interpersonal — Vocational instruction blends demo, supervision, hands-on

Organize and label materials and display students' work.

physical manipulation — Displaying student work is physical placement

Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.

interpersonal — Committee service requires presence, negotiation, accountability

Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.

interpersonal — Attending meetings requires physical human presence

Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers, or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities.

decision support — Plans activities on paper; facilitation and context human

Perform administrative duties, such as school library assistance, hall and cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading.

interpersonal — Live supervision of students is inherently human presence

Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.

decision support — Routine ordering automatable; human approves purchases

Provide assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.

interpersonal — In-person special-needs teaching and supervision

Supervise, evaluate, and plan assignments for teacher assistants and volunteers.

decision support — Staff evaluation needs observation and accountability

Organize and supervise games and other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, and social development.

text generation — Drafts activity plans; educator adapts to learners

Visit schools to tutor students with sensory impairments and to consult with teachers regarding students' special needs.

interpersonal — AI can tutor content; diagnosing learner needs is human