Useless, Reformy Polls

While I'm sure the corporate reformers here in Jersey will be jumping up and down, this question in the latest Qinnipiac poll is basically meaningless:

32. Governor Christie wants to limit teacher tenure. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Good idea 60% 79% 45% 63% 62% 59% Bad idea 32 13 46 29 31 33 DK/NA 8 8 9 7 7 9 Union HAVE KIDS.... Philly HsHlds <18 PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Good idea 53% 64% 68% 47% 55% 81% 57% 66% Bad idea 40 30 25 46 35 16 35 26 DK/NA 7 6 7 7 10 3 9 8

If we interpret this question literally, the NJEA "wants to limit teacher tenure" as well, as they have proposed extensive reforms to the current law. Given that, I'm amazed 32% are against "limiting" tenure.

Tenure is about due process - period. Teachers can and are removed from the classroom regularly under tenure, and at rates that are comparable to other professions. But Christie and far too many in the press have convinced the public that the Tenure Boogeyman is coming to eat their school.

We've seen this far too often in polling on education issues, like vouchers: phrasing the question differently can lead to dramatically different results. The only thing polls like this tell me is that teachers and their unions have not done a very good job of explaining to the public what exactly tenure is. Of course, it's tough to cut through the scary stories the corporate reformers tell every day about the Tenure Boogeyman...

I'm gonna eat your school! Yarrggghh!

ADDING: Have I mentioned lately how much I loathe Blogger? I'll try to fix it later.