"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) Moving from Technology Optional to Technology Essential: Alliance President Testifies Before Michigan Senate Education Committee on Importance of Digital Learning to Preparing All Students for College and a Career; (2) Secretary Duncan Announces $400 Million Race to the Top Competition for School Districts; (3) "Condition of Education 2012": Report Includes Special Focus on High Schools, Finds that One-Quarter of High Schools Are "Low-Retention"; and (4) "Common Core State Standards and Career and Technical Education": New Report Outlines Greater Role for CTE in Common Core Implementation. (Contains 1 footnote.)