Quoted from the July 3, 1996 Daily Report Card
GP>*6   A STUDENT PERSPECTIVE:  MET LIFE'S NEW SURVEY
GP>     Students are more satisfied with the quality of their
GP>teachers than they are with other aspects of their education,
GP>according to a new survey released by MetLife.  The "Metropolitan
GP>Life Survey of the American Teacher 1996, Students Voice Their
GP>Opinions on:  Their Education, Teachers and Schools" is the
GP>second in a four-part series of surveys conducted by MetLife.
GP>     Three-quarters of students surveyed give their teachers a
GP>rating of "excellent" or "pretty good" on overall quality.  And
GP>students tend to have more positive feelings about their teachers
GP>(73%) than their overall education (66%).  Teachers received
GP>their highest mark for being knowledgeable on the subjects they
GP>teach (77%) and helping students who have difficulty with their
GP>courses (70%).  However, teachers are not rated as highly for
GP>making learning interesting (39%) and taking an interest in
GP>students' personal and home lives (27%).
GP>     More than half of students surveyed noted that the lack of
GP>basic skills among their peers is a very or somewhat serious
GP>problem in their schools.  According to the survey, the
GP>"deficiency is perceived as more problematic in urban schools
GP>(60%) than suburban (45%) or rural schools (52%).  African-
GP>American students find the lack of basic skills more of a problem
GP>(61%) than white (50%) or Hispanic students (56%).
GP>     Three trends that emerged from the survey are:  urban
GP>students, racial and ethnic minority students and students who
GP>perform poorly in school noted the most dissatisfaction with
GP>their teachers, school resources and the overall quality of
GP>education; students are more satisfied with the quality of their
GP>teachers than they are with other aspects of their schooling; and
GP>teachers hold more positive views of the education system than
GP>students.
GP>     Other findings from the report:  overcrowded classrooms and
GP>shortages of textbooks are "serious problems" for at least one in
GP>three students surveyed; more than half said lack of equipment in
GP>labs and athletic and exercise facilities are a problem; 72% said
GP>their school does not provide enough interesting experiences
GP>outside the classrooms; and school counselors receive their
GP>highest ratings on being knowledgeable about course requirements
GP>for high schools graduation (84%) and college admission (77%),
GP>and somewhat lower grades on being knowledgeable about non-
GP>academic programs (67%) and their level of interest in students'
GP>futures (68%).
GP>     A total of 2,524 questionnaires were completed for the
GP>survey by public school students enrolled in grades seven through
GP>twelve throughout the continental United States.
GP>     Copies of the report are available free-of-charge by writing
GP>to:  MetLife Teachers Survey 1996; P.O. Box 807; Madison Square
GP>Station; New York, N.Y.  10159-0807.
 * SLMR 2.1a *
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