It is worth noting, however, that it is not just our survey that has shown an improvement in individual investor sentiment.

FORBES: Investor Optimism At Highest Level Since August

Even with the improvement in sentiment, individual investors still remain concerned about the pace of economic growth, Washington politics and the European sovereign debt crisis.

FORBES: AAII Survey: Individual Investors Stay Optimistic

However, Klotz says it's possible to see results in individual schools by comparing the reading improvement of kids who participate in the program with kids who don't.

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Even with the improvement in bullish sentiment, individual investors remain cautious, however, given the events in Europe, the slow level of U.S. economic growth, and Washington politics.

FORBES: AAII Sentiment Survey: Bearish Sentiment At Lowest Level Since January

Despite the improvement, the percentage of individual investors who expect stocks to rise over the next six months stayed below the historical average of 39% for the second consecutive week.

FORBES: AAII Sentiment Survey: Undercurrent Of Optimism

So for example, a high rate of improvement in unemployment rates in individual states (even if the unemployment rate is high) has a bigger impact on votes than states with an actual low unemployment rate.

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Even with the improvement in optimism, a higher percentage of individual investors still expect stock prices to fall over the next six months than those who expect prices to rise.

FORBES: AAII Survey: Investors Favor Energy, Commodities, Tech

Specifically, they preach innovation, integrity, respect for individual initiative, tolerance for honest mistakes, product quality and reliability, reward based on merit and continuous improvement.

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