Calvin's father always used to tell him that "anything worth having is worth fighting for." Generations of parents and families of children who have disabilities know the truth of that statement firsthand. We have had to fight for decades to establish and maintain our children's fundamental rights to education.

After so many years, we should not be surprised that we tire on occasion. And now, here we are again, having to fight to keep the special education status quo for 6.5 million children whose very futures depend on the fundamental rights and decency embraced in current special education law. When will the fighting end?

We parents, families, and advocates have been in a fighting mode for nearly 15 months now, since the House of Representatives began the formal reauthorization process of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [IDEA] in March 2003. The fight has been long and hard, and perhaps our biggest success thus far has been that 6.5 million children have enjoyed the benefits of current IDEA law while the battle has been being waged. Every day with the present law is a victory over what Congress promises us with any new law.

So what is it about fighting that both exhausts us yet restores us? There are several answers. First, we are once again reminded of the purpose for our fight – our children. We know there never will come a day that their needs are not worth the fight. Evidently there are those in government – and perhaps even in the more formal national advocacy organizations – who wish we would just let politics run its course and allow IDEA to be amended as Congress proposes. We cannot do that and remain true to our children who then must live with the results.

Second, we realize that with every fight comes the opportunity to recognize our friends and educate our foes. Education is just one part of the larger agenda for the community of people with disabilities. Unfortunately education is not the only part or arm of disability policy that is under attack at the national level. This last year we have gained a clearer view of which organizations and national leaders are focused on the needs of people with disabilities, and which are more focused on their own political organization or power. This reawakened reality reminds us that we must continue to place a high priority on educating both our allies and adversaries about what life is like for families in the trenches. We cannot build or maintain a special education system that meets the needs of its most privileged or least needy students. It must meet the needs of its least economically privileged and most needy students. It seems that some have forgotten this and others still just do not get it.

Third, we realize the cycle of battle. We have been up and down so many times over these past 15 months that it is hard to know from moment to moment where or how the next battle will emerge. We are still recovering from May's brutal Senate activity. But with the end of the Senate stage, and the subsequent regrouping, we are again focused on the battle and the next battleground: the Conference Committee. While not as well rested as we might wish, we are ready for this new cycle.

Finally, we realize that there is a difference between fighting FOR something and fighting ABOUT something or merely fighting for fighting's sake. For our children, and us this remains a fight FOR fundamental rights a solid majority of Americans take for granted. Every day thousands of parents are taking direct contact and quality time away from children and are giving it to the fight to save IDEA. We are sacrificing our time with our families and children so that our children and their children can succeed. We know the battle is worth it, and always will be.

Of all the things that can be worth "having," education ranks right at the top. We consistently have referred to the IDEA reauthorization process as a "fight" or "battle" because for us and for our children, IDEA is worth fighting FOR. To those who do not yet understand our passion for or commitment to a strong IDEA, we hope this commentary gives some guidance about the source of our motivation. We are too committed to be misinformed and we are too passionate to acquiesce to conventional political forces. Our fight is FOR our kids and for their futures. It is that simple.

What you can do RIGHT NOW

Tricia & Calvin Luker, today's parentvolunteer@ourchildrenleftbehind.com