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Merrifield's blog comments on education reform assailed

April M. Washington And Lynn Bartels, Rocky Mountain News

Published May 23, 2007 at midnight

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Two Republican lawmakers who sponsored a bill to strengthen math and science standards this year are accusing the former House Education Committee chairman of taking cheap shots at them in a blog.

Republicans charged that remarks by Rep. Mike Merrifield, D-Colorado Springs, to the blog coloradoconfidential.com disparaged those seeking education reforms.

They claim Merrifield slurred two Republicans, Sen. Josh Penry, of Fruita, and Rep. Rob Wit-wer, of Genesee, when he implied that the decision to increase high school math and science requirements should be left to experts, not politicians who haven't been in a classroom for years.

Witwer said Merrifield's comments trivialize parents' concerns about public education.

"I think those comments are disparaging to people who care about public education but don't happen to be a part of the education establishment," Witwer said.

It marks the second time this year Merrifield has drawn criticism for his views on education reform. He was forced to resign his leadership position after he wrote in an e-mail that school choice supporters deserve a "special place in hell."

Merrifield could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Merrifield, who recently overcame a battle with throat cancer, talked to the blog about his health, his education views and other issues. He criticized Republicans' rush to require three to four years of math and science to graduate. He said backers have no data or research to support the need for the requirements.

Merrifield said he's hoping to pick up the gavel again next session as chairman of the education committee and pledged to be back "strong and full of vim and vigor," the blog reported.

Republicans said they would fight Merrifield's return as chairman. Penry said Merrifield made the House Education Committee a "graveyard for bipartisan education reform."

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