The existence of Federal laws and policies supportive of educational equity for women was challenged with the election of President Reagan in 1980. The Reagan Administration's philosophy of providing block grants to States threatened to eliminate the Women's Educational Equity Act (WEEA) and Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, both designed to foster equal education for women. At the same time there were moves to restrict Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, a law which provides legal protection against sex discrimination in Federally funded schools and colleges. The conservative proposals prompted women and community groups to organize and lobby for Congressional support of the laws. These organized efforts succeeded to the extent that when the final budget reconciliation was signed by the President, WEEA and Title IV had been extended for 3 more years, and no major changes had been made in Title IX. The experience with Federal policy on women's rights in education demonstrates the feasibility of mobilizing the grassroots constituency and persuading conservatives in Congress to support feminist causes. At the same time, it is clear that proposed cuts in Federal education spending will make it increasingly difficult to defend women's rights and civil rights programs. (MJL)