Met Life just released its twenty-fifth-anniversary "view of education" survey conducted by Harris Interactive. A total of 902 students, 1000 teachers, and 502 principals from public schools were surveyed. One thing has remained consistent--most teachers are committed to and love teaching. But I was rather surprised at the change in many of the responses between 2009 and 1984, the year of the first survey. I think you may be as well.

The survey's good news indicates that more teachers feel respected by society, recognized for what they do, and adequately paid for their work. Student results indicate that they trust their teachers more and say that a teacher's interpersonal skills are what make them good. The not-so-good news is that urban teachers, principals, and students have a much more negative view of education than their suburban counterparts.

I thought you might be interested in some of the major findings, so here they are. Note the differences between 1984 and 2008. If you want to drill more deeply into the survey, go to survey. But be forewarned--it's a 191-page download.

• Fewer teachers today value standardized tests as a means of improving instruction.
•  A majority of teachers are very satisfied with their careers--40% in 1984 compared with 62% in 2008.
• A majority feel that their job pays them a decent salary--37% in 1984 compared with 66% in 2008.
• More teachers would recommend teaching as a career to their students--45% in 1984 compared with 75% in 2008.
• Twice as many teachers rate the availability of materials as good--22% in 1984 compared with 44% in 2008.
• 90% of teachers say technology enhances their teaching.
• 57% of teachers and 51% of principals rate student global awareness as fair to poor.
• More teachers rate school curriculum as good--81% in 1984 compared with 89% in 2008.
• Most teachers report students come to school prepared for grade-level instruction--44% in 1984 compared with 54% in 2008.
• In reading, more suburban teachers rate their students from excellent to good than urban teachers--61% for urban compared with 81% for suburban.
• In math, more suburban teachers rate their students from excellent to good than urban teachers--53% for urban compared with 76% for suburban.
• 43% of teachers say they never connect online with teachers outside their district.
• 72% of teachers say they have never written, read, or responded to an online blog. I guess those of you reading this fall in the 28% who do.

After reading a sampling of the response findings, would you have answered in the same way? I am confused that, while I constantly read and hear in the news about how poorly U.S. students are performing compared to their counterparts in other countries, by and large today's teachers believe that students are doing better than they were twenty-five years ago.