"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) Alliance President Bob Wise Named to "Nonprofit Times'" Top 50 Most Influential Executives; (2) Sound and Fury or Signifying Nothing?: Flurry of Congressional Activity on NCLB Rewrite As House Passes Charter Schools Bill, House Committee Holds Hearing, and Senate Republicans Introduce Legislation; (3) "Informing Writing": New Alliance Report Offers Evidence That Classroom-Based Assessments Can Improve Writing Skills of American Students; (4) International Incident: United States Continues Slide in World Economic Forum's Global Competitive Index; and (5) Anytime, Anyplace: New Alliance Report Says Expanded Learning Opportunities Can Provide a Comprehensive Approach to Preparing High School Students for College and a Career. (Contains 1 footnote.)