Confidence among small businesses rose in November, according to a survey by the National Federation of Independent Business.

The group’s optimism index gained 1.5 points to 93.2, following a 2.7 point-gain in October. The 93.2 reading is still “very weak,” the report said, and is closer to a recession reading than indicative of a recovery.

Still, it’s the highest confidence level recorded since the recession began three years ago.

“It was encouraging to see substantial improvement in expectations for economic performance – critical if spending and hiring are to elevate beyond survival and replacement levels,” William Dunkelberg, the group’s chief economist, said in a statement.

The report said that though the numbers show a modest improvement, there is no evidence of a “surge” as experienced in 1983 after the recessions of 1980-82. The index has risen above its recession low of 81, but is still well below the average value of the index prior to the start of the recession, “and far below values that have typified a recovery period.” The average reading in 2007 was 96.7, while the 2005 average of 101.6 was the highest of the last six years.