How many New Yorkers actually understand teacher tenure? A recent report clearly indicates the answer to that question: far too few. According to a poll conducted by Zogby International, New York voters overwhelmingly support the protections given to teachers by tenure -- but have a negative, mistaken impression of what the word "tenure" means.

When asked directly by the Zogby poll if they supported or opposed tenure -- with no definition of tenure's due process protections offered -- respondents were 43 percent in support, 46 percent opposed, and 10 percent not sure. But when asked if they would support "replacing" tenure with a system that would give teachers the right to a fair hearing before a school board could fire them, 84 percent of New York voters said yes.

Since the "replacement" offered is nothing more than the system that already is in place, the logical conclusion is that a good many voters have been taken in by the disinformation campaigns of political demogogues who hope to use attacks on teachers as a route to electoral success. When offered an honest description of the process for disciplining teachers, though, more than 8 in 10 -- city and upstate residents, Democrats and Republicans alike -- all supported the current tenure system.

"The overwhelming support for such a system holds true across the board," the report said, with hefty majorities in favor regardless of age, race, gender, place of residence or political party. In addition, 72 percent said they would support tenure if it meant that school boards could still get rid of incompetent teachers -- another finding that confirms a substantial majority of New Yorkers support the principles of teacher tenure, but misunderstand what tenure protections actually provide.

The Zogby poll also revealed near unanimous support for the basic, individual protections guaranteed by the tenure law. With a margin of error of 3.8 percent, the poll found that:

• 99 percent of New York voters believe teachers should have the right to know the allegations against them at the time they are charged.

• 98 percent said teachers should be able to defend themselves before being disciplined or fired.

• Nearly two-thirds say an impartial observer -- not a school board, school administrator or fellow teacher -- should decide whether charges against a teacher are true.

Meanwhile, the Zogby poll also showed that New York's registered voters like their children's teachers -- and reject the idea that teachers' unions are blocking reform. By a 2-1 margin, voters said their local teachers union is a positive influence in their school community.

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