This newsletter focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country, and is presented in an accessible format for everyone from elected officials and policymakers to parents and community leaders. First, this issue discusses the stimulating debate on the reduction of the overall cost of the economic recovery legislation, in which Senators remove portions of education funding. Second, it presents the fifth-annual "AP Report to the Nation" that reports on the increase of minority students participating in Advanced Placement (AP) exams, but these students remain underrepresented in AP courses. Finally, it presents a report on the governors' state of the state addresses focusing on budget deficits.