Ohioans aren't familiar with the details of Gov. Ted Strickland's new school-funding plan, but they like what they've seen so far, a poll unveiled this morning shows.

A big reason might be that they like Strickland; the survey shows him swamping a pair of possible 2010 challengers, topping former Westerville Congressman John R. Kasich 56 to 26 percent, and former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine 54 percent to 32 percent.

Although fewer than half of those in the Quinnipiac University poll said they were even somewhat familiar with Strickland's plan, 42 percent said it will improve education in Ohio, compared to 22 percent who didn't think it would.

A bare majority -- 51 percent -- back Strickland's proposal to increase Ohio's school year from 180 to 200 days; 42 percent are opposed. But only 36 percent support the governor's plan to extend the school day; 56 percent oppose it.

Strickland's push to hold all-day kindergarten in every district got thumbs up from 62 percent, with just 34 percent against the idea.

About two-thirds of Ohioans support a standardized graduation test. And 45 percent say the state's current graduation requirements are about right, 38 percent say they're not strict enough, and 9 percent say they're too strict.

And despite Strickland's pledge of no new state taxes, 69 percent of Ohioans say they expect to wind up paying higher taxes to pay for the education plan. But that's OK with 51 percent, who say they are willing to fork over more to support education; 45 don't want higher taxes to fund schools.

The poll was conducted after Strickland outlined his school-funding plan in last week's State of the State address, but before budget details emerged Monday showing that 43 percent of Ohio school districts would be cut or see no funding increase.

The governor promised to revamp school funding during his 2006 campaign, as well as to "turn around Ohio." Just under a majority 46 percent say Strickland has kept his campaign promises; 27 say no.

The telephone poll of 1,127 Ohio voters was taken from last Thursday through Monday, with a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.9 percentage points.

drowland@dispatch.com