Over 1,100 individuals who support Title I, the federal program that provides education support for underprivileged children, gathered in this location last week for a nationwide day of action. Their goal was to convince members of Congress to reject any proposed cuts to the program put forth by the Reagan Administration.
Adrienne Jackson, co-chair of the Coalition to Save Title I, which organized this grassroots lobbying effort, stated that as a result of the campaign, at least seven additional Congressmen have committed to supporting the Title I program. Furthermore, around 164 Representatives in the House have signed a letter known as the "Dear Colleague" letter, urging Congressional support for the program. Linda Brown from the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law also mentioned that approximately 20 other Congress members have promised to carefully consider Title I.
The coalition, consisting of representatives from more than 30 education, civil-rights, child-advocacy, and parents’ organizations, conducted a survey of 5,000 school districts to assess the impact of the Administration’s proposed cuts on the compensatory program. Based on this data, they created a list of targeted Congress members, including conservative Democrats from the South referred to as "boll weevils," and moderate Republicans from the North and Midwest known as "gypsy moths." Support from these individuals would be crucial in preventing a $411 million reduction in the Title I program proposed for 1983.
