"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) Appropriations Process Underway...Sort Of: Senate Appropriations Committee Passes Education Funding Bill While House Appropriations Committee Delays; Final Decisions Not Expected Until 2009; (2) Spellings Continues Push for NCLB Improvements: "New York Times" Article Captures Secretary's Role in NCLB's Creation and Modification; (3) "Reach Higher, America": National Commission on Literacy Finds Ninety Million Americans Unprepared for Demands of Twenty-First-Century Workforce; (4) "Has Student Achievement Increased Since 2002?": Yes, Says New Report from the Center on Education Policy, But With Caveats; and (5) Mayors Call on Federal Government to Ensure Greater College Preparation and Access for America's Students: Resolution Endorses Graduation Promise Act and GRADUATES Act.