Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ted Strickland and Republican candidate Ken Blackwell squared off in Cleveland today over the issue of education.

The hour-long debate consisted of questions from a four-member panel of local media representatives, and issues ranged from charter school funding to rising tuition of higher education.

Both candidates emphasized the importance of accountability in educational systems with a goal of improving Ohio’s schools – public, private, chartered and universities.

Rising tuition at public Ohio universities was one point of discussion.

Strickland advocated drawing funding from prospective students’ family, relatives and organizations as a source of income for college.

“I want to make it possible for every parent to open a savings account for their son or daughter,” he said, noting that he was the only one of his eight siblings to graduate from college.

“Too many of our young people don’t believe college is for them,” he said.

Blackwell proposed a rearrangement of higher education funds, funneling more money into more successful universities.

“We need to give resources to the universities that are the center of excellence,” he said.

The debate was the second of four between the two candidates, who will next face off in Cincinnati Oct. 4 to discuss the economy.

Read tomorrow’s edition of the Daily Kent Stater for more debate coverage, and check back to StaterOnline.com for video from our partners at TV-2 News.

Contact public affairs reporter Abbey Stirgwolt at [email protected].