"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 Enacts Temporary Funding Mechanism to Keep Government Operating Until March 2013; Bill Provides Across-the-Board Increase in Funding of 0.612 Percent; (2) Sequestration Would Be "Deeply Destructive": OMB [Office of Management and Budget] Report Examines Impact of $1.2 Trillion in Spending Cuts Scheduled for January 2; (3) "The Condition of College and Career Readiness 2012": Only 25 Percent of 2012 High School Graduates Considered "College Ready" in Four Core Subjects, According to ACT Results; (4) "Education at a Glance 2012": Annual OECD Report Ranks U.S. Educational Performance Versus International Competitors; and (5) "Back on Track": New Report Highlights Dropout Recovery Programs in the Southwest. (Contains 1 chart and 3 footnotes.)