"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) Focus on Dropout Factories: Associated Press Article Spotlights Low-Performing High Schools, Draws Criticism from Many School Officials; (2) "The High Cost of High School Dropouts": New Alliance Brief Pegs Cost of Class of 2007 Dropouts at $329 Billion; (3) Senate Passes Education Funding Bill by "Veto-Proof" Margin: Battle with the White House Over Spending Expected in Coming Weeks; (4) "Budget Showdown 2007": New Issue Brief Examines Facts Behind Education Funding; and (5) Who's SMART?: U.S. Department of Education Releases Grant Recipient Numbers for Academic Competitiveness and SMART Grants.