AM News: Democrats -- Not Unions -- Lost In Midterms, Say Teachers Unions

Teachers Unions Say Midterm Losses Don't Reflect On Them HuffPost: Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, told The Huffington Post that she sees the election results differently -- and does not understand how Democratic reformers could possibly claim they were a success. “It’s hard for me to understand … what the business types and the testing types of this education debate think they won here.” 

Teachers unions defend their ground by getting Torlakson reelected LA Times: In races where education was the main issue, such as the Torlakson-Tuck contest, union-backed candidates and measures fared better, Weingarten said. Voters, she said, still side with teachers on issues such as the need to lower classes sizes, limit standardized testing and provide more funding for schools.

Torlakson victory ensures continuity in reforms EdSource Today: One immediate consequence of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson’s rebuff of challenger Marshall Tuck is to ensure the continuance of the cohesion in state education policy that has been forged since Gov. Jerry Brown returned to Sacramento four years ago.

Unions' Sliver Of Hope In Devastating Midterm Elections BuzzFeed: The success of progressive initiatives in typically red states is being treated by labor as a signal that what they are doing is working, even if those votes didn’t carry over into the governor and senate races.

Teachers unions spent $60 million for the midterms but still lost many elections Washington Post: The nation's major teachers unions suffered losses across the country Tuesday, despite pouring about $60 million into federal, state and local races in the midterm elections. 

See more news below (and throughout the day at @alexanderrusso).

Election Results Could Bring Relief to Phila. Schools; Leadership Stability to D.C. District Dossier: Philadelphia officials hope a new governor will bring some financial relief, while Washington's new mayor has pledged to keep schools chancellor Kaya Henderson.

Chicago Teachers Union delegates endorse Garcia for mayor over Emanuel Tribune: Fioretti campaign spokesman Michael Kolenc said the alderman initially was told the endorsement decision would take place in December after the union had heard from all candidates, but then the campaign received an endorsement questionnaire from the union Monday with no deadline.

In South Carolina, A Program That Makes Apprenticeships Work WAMU: Apprenticeship programs have been in decline, but South Carolina is bucking the trend. Nearly 11,000 apprentices have been trained there since 2007 in fields ranging from manufacturing to nursing.

Your Child's Teacher May Soon Be a Computer NPR: Education is becoming more and more expensive. But technology could lower the cost — and increase access to a college education or improve the quality of education for children. Elite universities like Harvard and Stanford are already leading the way.

Brooklyn Principal Apologizes for Remark Deemed Offensive NYT: Donna Taylor, the principal of the Brooklyn School of Inquiry, said she regretted telling a group of parents and children that “if you don’t speak Spanish, you’re going to clean your own house.”

Teacher Takes Plea After Gun Discharges at School ABC: Utah teacher whose gun went off in elementary school to pay fine, take gun safety class.

Harvard Launches Fellowship Initiative to Prepare Seniors to Enter Teaching TeacherBeat: Harvard will launch its own program to help undergraduate students to become secondary English, math, science, and history teachers.