"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) To Be Continued: Congress Passes Continuing Resolution to Keep Government Running, Buys Time to Pass Appropriations Bills; (2) "A Stronger Nation through Higher Education": A Call to the Nation to Vastly Improve College Attainment Rates; (3) "No Time to Waste": A Roadmap for SREB States to Lead the Nation in College Attainment Rates; (4) "Back on Track to College": Brief Profiles Successful High School Dropout Recovery Program in Texas; (5) "Closing the Talent Gap": New McKinsey Report Outlines Strategy for Attracting and Retaining "Top-Third" College Students in Teaching Field; and (6) Alliance Now Accepting Proposals on Digital Learning. (Contains 1 footnote.)