Obama’s school choice (The Union Leader), New education priorities for Democrats (Education Week), All eyes on Paul Vallas in New Orleans (USA Today), and more in today’s Morning Shots.

Big Labor’s Comeback
Wall Street Journal, August 27, 2008
Forget for a moment the media fascination with disgruntled Hillary Clinton delegates or Michelle Obama’s makeover. One of the most underreported stories at this week’s Democratic National Convention is that Big Labor is making a big comeback.

School Choices: Obama Makes One You Can’t
The Union Leader, NH, August 28, 2008
And what does that future look like for the Obama girls? Whether their father wins or loses, it is bright. Little Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10, attend the elite University of Chicago Laboratory School.

New Generation of Democrats Embraces School Choice
Education Week, MD, August 26, 2008
At a breakfast supporting efforts to expand students’ ability to enroll in charter and other public schools, Colorado state Senate President Peter C. Groff explained that the demographics of school choice are changing.

New Orleans Superintendent Paul Vallas Occupies Spotlight
USA Today, August 26, 2008
As Vallas begins his second and probably final year trying to rebuild the ailing public school system, he not only has more teachers than he needs. He has eye-popping funding, nearly unchecked administrative power and “a sea of goodwill” that stretches across the USA.

Bribery or Motivation?
Washington Post, D.C., August 27, 2008
Last week, D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee unveiled a pilot program in which middle school students will be paid to meet academic and behavioral goals.

Squeezing Lousy Schools
Chicago Tribune, IL, August 27, 2008
The Democrats who run Springfield now are fretting about state school aid for only one reason: State Sen. James Meeks (D-Chicago) has thrown a hellacious tantrum. He doesn’t want the kids who routinely are cheated by Illinois’ worst-performing schools to lose another year.

Praise the Teacher, Not the Union
Waterbury Republican American, CT, August 27, 2008
Meanwhile, in Connecticut and 26 other states where teachers’ dues payment may be compelled, 1.3 million teachers pay forced union dues or fees as a condition of employment.

School Funding, Choice and Results
Las Vegas Review-Journal, NV, August 27, 2008
Back in August 2004, the first-ever federally funded school voucher program was launched in Washington, D.C. Eligible students would be able to attend a private school of their choice in the District of Columbia, proponents declared.

A Mind Club for Girls
Boston Globe, MA, August 27, 2008
Catch kids at this crucial age, give them full days of rigorous classes away from the distractions of the opposite sex, keep the school small so that none of them are overlooked, demand family involvement, and put role models before them constantly so that they see their own potential.

Different Children, Different Choices
Business Gazette, MD, August 27, 2008
The couple found a similar variety of school choices in Montgomery County. “Schools are like people. They have different personalities,” Karron said.