Even though a majority in the Quinnipiac University survey admitted they weren't familiar with the details of Strickland's proposal, 42 percent said it will improve education in Ohio, compared with 22 percent who didn't think so.

"This can only be interpreted as an indication they like Strickland," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of Quinnipiac's polling institute.

The survey shows Strickland's job approval is at a peak, and that he is swamping two possible 2010 challengers, former U.S. Rep. John R. Kasich of Westerville by 30 percentage points and former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine by 22 points.

"These are the kind of numbers that make governors very strong favorites for re-election," Brown said. He pointed out that Strickland is winning approval even from white born-again evangelicals -- a "remarkable" feat that a Democrat anywhere in the country would celebrate.

About the only downside for the governor in the poll: 56 percent oppose his push to extend the school day. But a majority favor his plan to lengthen Ohio's school year from 180 to 200 days during the next decade.

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

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.

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 receive no funding increase.

The governor promised to revamp school funding during his 2006 campaign, as well as to "turn around Ohio." Just less than a majority -- 46 percent -- say Strickland has kept his campaign promises; 27 percent say he hasn't.

His job approval rating has climbed to 63 percent, the highest measured by Quinnipiac since Strickland took office 25 months ago and an increase of 9 points since December.

The telephone poll of 1,127 Ohio voters was taken Jan. 29 through Monday, with a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.9 percentage points. It can be seen at www.quinnipiac.edu/images/polling/oh/oh02052009.doc.

drowland@dispatch.com