Will AI Replace Teaching Assistants, Special Education?

Provide assistance to students with special needs.

interpersonal — In-person special-needs teaching and supervision

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

interpersonal — Life-skill teaching is embodied relational work

Supervise students in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, school yards, and gymnasiums, or on field trips.

interpersonal — Live supervision of students is inherently human presence

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

interpersonal — In-person special-needs teaching and supervision

Carry out therapeutic regimens, such as behavior modification and personal development programs, under the supervision of special education instructors, psychologists, or speech-language pathologists.

interpersonal — Implementing therapy programs is hands-on clinical work

Tutor and assist children individually or in small groups to help them master assignments and to reinforce learning concepts presented by teachers.

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

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

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

Enforce administration policies and rules governing students.

interpersonal — Enforcing behavior requires in-person authority and judgment

Observe students' performance, and record relevant data to assess progress.

data analysis — Maintain structured student records in databases

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

Present subject matter to students under the direction and guidance of teachers, using lectures, discussions, supervised role-playing methods, or by reading aloud.

interpersonal — Leading live classes/events requires human presence

Discuss assigned duties with classroom teachers to coordinate instructional efforts.

interpersonal — Curriculum collaboration is professional consensus work

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

interpersonal — Life-skill teaching is embodied relational work

Prepare classrooms with a variety of materials or resources for children to explore, manipulate, or use in learning activities or imaginative play.

physical manipulation — Setting up classroom materials is physical arrangement

Distribute teaching materials, such as textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils, to students.

physical manipulation — Physically handing out materials to people

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

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

Clean classrooms.

physical manipulation — Physical cleaning of work areas

Organize and label materials and display students' work in a manner appropriate for their eye levels and perceptual skills.

physical manipulation — Displaying student work is physical placement

Prepare lesson materials, bulletin board displays, exhibits, equipment, and demonstrations.

text generation — Develop instructional materials; human reviews

Grade homework and tests, and compute and record results, using answer sheets or electronic marking devices.

data analysis — Maintain structured student records in databases

Assist in bus loading and unloading.

interpersonal — Live supervision of students is inherently human presence

Take class attendance and maintain attendance records.

data analysis — Maintain structured student records in databases

Maintain computers in classrooms and laboratories, and assist students with hardware and software use.

physical manipulation — Software side AI-assisted; hardware maintenance is hands-on

Prepare lesson outlines and plans in assigned subject areas and submit outlines to teachers for review.

text generation — Draft lesson plans from curriculum inputs

Participate in teacher-parent conferences regarding students' progress or problems.

interpersonal — Progress discussions need relationship and judgment

Assist librarians in school libraries.

interpersonal — Assisting colleagues needs contextual coordination

Requisition and stock teaching materials and supplies.

data analysis — Materials inventory records and forecasting automatable

Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.

interpersonal — Committee service requires presence, negotiation, accountability

Laminate teaching materials to increase their durability under repeated use.

physical manipulation — Setting up classroom materials is physical arrangement