When my principal first introduced high stakes testing for sophomores at the Oregon high school where I taught—it was 2000 or just before—he told teachers, "Don't wait around for this to go away. Trust me, this one isn't going away." He was referring to the tendency of teachers to slow walk some changes suggested by higher-ups, especially ones that seem unproductive or counterproductive, expecting that they'll lose momentum and end up on the ash heap of ineffective school change ideas. But this time, my principal was right. High stakes testing had legs, and it's only grown stronger. Until, maybe, now.

A new poll from Phi Delta Kappa International, administered by Gallup, shows that people are starting to shift their ideas about the value of high stakes testing. Some 64 percent of people polled said they thought there was too much emphasis on standardized testing in public schools. Among people whose children were in public schools, the number was slightly higher, 67 percent. When asked if standardized test scores should be part of teacher evaluations, 55 percent said no. Among people whose children were in public schools, the number went up to 63 percent.

Gallup's analysis of the survey breaks down the data further. When people were asked the best ways to measure the effectiveness of a public school, student engagement with their classwork was at the top of the list and testing was at the bottom. Testing also placed at the bottom both in ways to create an accurate picture of a student's progress and ways to improve schools.

We've got four tickets to Wednesday's Diamondbacks games against the St. Louis Cardinals. The game starts at 6:40 p.m. in Phoenix. We'll draw the winner Tuesday ("tomorrow" from when this was published, "today" if you're seeing this in your newsletter) at Noon. You have to be able to pick the tickets up at our office (located near the Foothills Mall) before we close at 5 p.m. on either Tuesday or Wednesday.

If five hours notice is enough to get you to our office and on your way to Phoenix, enter here: 

It's still too hot to be outside, but summer is over and that means it's just about time for Stephen Colbert to step back into the spotlight. Colbert will slip into the host's chair on Sept. 8, and CBS just announced who'll be sitting opposite him.

The CBS website hates me, so I'll throw it to the New York Times to give us the details on this one:

Mr. Colbert, who similarly drew from a wide range of influences when he hosted “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central, had previously announced that the guests on his debut broadcast of “The Late Show” on Sept. 8 would be George Clooney and Jeb Bush. That episode will also include a performance by Mr. Colbert’s bandleader, Jon Batiste, and his group, Stay Human, as well as some undisclosed “special guests.”

CBS added to that lineup on Monday, announcing that Mr. Colbert’s Sept. 9 show will feature the actress Scarlett Johansson; Elon Musk, the chief executive of Tesla Motors and SpaceX; and the rapper Kendrick Lamar. The guests on Sept. 10 will be Travis Kalanick, the chief executive of Uber, and the country singer Toby Keith; and Sept. 11 will include the comedian Amy Schumer, the author Stephen King and a Paul Simon tribute band called Troubled Waters.

Arizona is getting ready to go all in on last year's AzMERIT scores. We already know the overall passing rates for the state. Scores are down from the AIMS test. And we know why: because the bar was intentionally set higher. But we have yet to learn the individual school scores. Before we see the scores, though, we have a pretty good idea which schools will be the high fliers—schools that draw students from high income families—and which will be criticized for failing their children—schools that draw students from lower income families. But which schools will beat the odds? We won't know that for awhile, nor should we feel confident those "Why can't other schools be that successful?" results actually reflect student achievement.

Here's something that, as Donald Rumsfeld might say, is a known known: Attaching high stakes to standardized tests decreases whatever validity the tests might otherwise have. If the test results are important enough, schools and teachers will find all kinds of legitimate ways to help students get higher scores than if they weren't coached. Take, for an example, oh, say, me. When I was teaching in Oregon during the first few years of our high stakes state tests, I'm reasonably sure I helped a number of students just make it over the passing line on their 10th grade writing tets by teaching them the best way to approach the writing sample. I tried to make them better writers in the process, but if I hadn't given them approaches focused on boosting their scores, some passing students wouldn't have made the cut.

And then there are the illegal ways of raising student scores that involve cheating, not by students but by teachers and/or administrators. How often does it happen? The probable answer is, it happens far more often than we know about.

Here are some cases of proven and possible cheating which have made the news:

Atlanta, Georgia. The biggest cheating scandal in the country was in the Atlanta schools, where eleven educators were found guilty of cheating and eight of them went to prison. That should have been enough to scare every other Atlanta teacher straight, but it doesn't looks like it did.

When a jury convicted 11 former Atlanta educators in a test-cheating conspiracy in the spring, some education experts thought it may signal the end of high-profile academic misconduct cases for the 49,000-student school system.

But the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has reported on multiple cases of possible improper grading practices in recent months, "including cases of principals pressured to alter grades; retaliation against those who balked; and supervisors allegedly ignoring or implicitly approving the signs of cheating," the Associated Press writes.

Why would the latest group of cheaters be so stupid after seeing what happened to some of their colleagues? Well, if they had cheated before and didn't do it this time, the significantly lower test scores would be a smoking gun pointing to earlier test fixing, and maybe they were under so much pressure to get those scores up and keep them up, they felt they had to continue regardless of the risk.

Before the scandal broke, I should add, Atlanta schools were considered some of the most successful in the country because of their high test scores. They got an award from Ed Sec Arne Duncan.

Zona Politics Eps.38 from Zona Politics with Jim Nintzel on Vimeo.

On this week's episode of Zona Politics with Jim Nintzel: Pima County Republican Party chair Bill Beard and Pima County Democratic Party chair Cheryl Cage talk about Donald Trump's immigration plan, Tucson's bus strike, whether former lawmaker and Republican-turned-Democrat Tom O'Halleran can win the congressional seat that U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick is giving up to challenge Sen. John McCain and more. Tune in online here or check it out on Sunday morning at 8 a.m. on the CW Tucson, Channel 8 on Cox and Comcast and Channel 58 on broadcast, DirecTV and Dish.

Here's a transcript of the show:

Hello, everyone. I'm Tucson Weekly senior writer Jim Nintzel, and we're talking Zona Politics. Joining me today, the chair of the Pima County Democratic Party, Cheryl Cage, and the chair of the Pima County Republican Party, Bill Beard. Thanks to both of you guys for being here

(Nintzel): So let's start today, Bill, with Donald Trump released his immigration plan this last week and it is a very, it's a tough plan. He's talking about trying to create a self-deportation situation. Is this trouble for the Republican party?

(Bill Beard) I think Donald Trump is one of those kind of political events that come along from time to time in our history that, regardless of what you may feel about the individual, and particular thing that individual is speaking to, they're talking to the broader language of where we are in our politics in this country If you look at where we were even just a few years ago the current occupant of the White House came in on hope and change. Well, I think for the average person that was sold on that line, they are coming up asking the question, where's my hope and where's my change. Someone like a Donald Trump comes along and just speaks to that average individual, regardless if they are Republican or Democrat or Independent, and he is drawing a resonance in the the American community in a way that few politicians have an opportunity to do, simply because he's speaking in a language that the average person relates to. Again you don't have to be a Democrat, you don't have to be a Republican. He is speaking to the heart and soul of what a lot of people You can argue about the specifics of any detail in his positions he may have but he's speaking to a broader audience out there, and I think that is something that folks in both political parties that do not pay attention to that will regret it come election day next year.

(Nintzel) Cheryl, what do you think about the idea that Donald Trump is the "anti-politician" of the campaign and also we're seeing something Ben Carson is doing really well in the polling, on the Republican side — sort of the weariness with traditional politicians.

In less than a year, we will know which legal marijuana initiative gets the spot on the November 2016 ballot (if any measure actually makes it. It's really too early to tell). 

Campaigns on both sides are in full swing, with organizations like the Marijuana Policy Project spending big bucks to ensure their measure lands on the ballot next year, and groups like Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy fighting hard to keep that from happening. 

Said group released today a list of 45 municipal leaders, whom we shall call allies in the anti-legal weed fight. There aren't any from Tucson, but a lot of names from the Phoenix area (Mesa, Chandler, etc.). Prescott and Sahuarita are also represented. 

“Our cities and towns know first hand the damaging effects of marijuana on their citizens and resources, and they are rightly concerned that making a dangerous substance legal and more available will only magnify the social and financial strain on their communities," says Chair Seth Leibsohn, chairman of Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy, in a statement to the media. "We're proud to have such a strong bipartisan municipal coalition of support in our effort to ensure drugs like marijuana stay illegal."

To this list add other names such as Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWall, Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk and Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery. 

Here's the list (which side are you on?):

Attorney General Mark Brnovich says it was an "honor and privilege" to attend the annual Conferencia Nacional de Procuración de Justicia, an annual attorneys general conference in Mexico. 

While there, Brnovich got to meet President Enrique "El Chapo Escapes from Maximum Security Prison While I Conveniently Am in France" Peña Nieto and Mexico's federal Attorney General Arely Gómez González. The focus of the talks was the continuous work to combat drug and human trafficking on both sides of the border, a press release from Brnovich's office says. 

Brnovich and Gómez discussed the "importance of collaboration between the U.S. and Mexico."

"They both agreed it is essential to build relationships and open lines of communication between state and federal attorneys general on issues of mutual concern," the release says.

(This is comical) Peña Nieto and Gómez González spoke about the importance of fighting corruption in Mexico and the implementation of the 2016 judicial reforms. 

From the release:

Brnovich attended the conference as part of the Conference of Western Attorneys General Alliance Partnership. The partnership helps establish and nurture cross-jurisdictional cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico on many law enforcement issues, from consumer fraud to drug trafficking and money laundering. CWAG's Alliance Partnership organizes bi-national exchanges and workshops with the National Associated of Attorneys General, Mexico’s Federal Attorney General’s Office, Mexico’s National Conference of Attorneys General, and Mexico state attorneys general.

This was Brnovich's second trip Mexico. In the past, he's met with state attorneys general from Sonora, Baja California and Guanajuato.

In, apparently, less valuable news, not worthy of discussing at the conference, El Chapo is still on the loose and the 43 students from Ayotzinapa are still missing. 

The Downtown Clifton (485 S. Stone Ave.) is melding the worlds of yee-haw and aloha to celebrate to summer rains. The small boutique hotel's Cowboy Monsoon Luau might seems a little muddled in concept, but you know what? Who cares? Grab your cowboy boots, slap on a grass skirt and do the hula or a line dance or something. I don't know. 

The event will feature a dip in the MOCA mobile pools for Localist and MOCA members, live music by Hey, Bucko! on the cowboy side of things, Hawaiian fare from Mama's Hawaiian BBQ on the luau side of things and "Sam's Secret Rum Punch" for thirsty attendees. Best of all, should you drink too much of that special rum punch, you can extend the luau into the night by getting lei'd in one of the Downtown Clifton's rooms. 

The Cowboy Monsoon Luau at the Downtown Clifton kicks off at 6 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m. on Saturday, August 29. Tickets are available online in advance for $10 or at the door for $15. $100 gets you and a friend into the luau and a room for the night, along with the regular Clifton perks like breakfast at 5 Points. The event is hosted by Local First Arizona's Localist Program, which you can learn more about by visiting the Local First website.

Remember when playing a video game with someone meant being in the same room as them? This Saturday, the people who used to run Arcade-in-a-Box are putting on the 1st Annual Offline Multiplayer Game Festival (also known as OMGFest). The event, which will feature games such as Windjammers and NBA Jam On Fire Edition, will benefit the Community Foodbank.  

The core idea here is to get people together to play some amazing offline multiplayer games. Offline multiplayer games are games you play all sitting together in the same room. Crazy, right!? I’m sure you remember the days growing up sitting around a tiny TV playing split screen Golden Eye, Mario Kart or Halo with your buddies. That is exactly what this event is for. We want to show off new games, as well as some classics, that bring you back to a time when gaming meant laughing yourself sick in a room full of your best friends!

Our goal is to make this a fun, casual, and family event. That is why all of the proceeds from this event will be going towards the Tucson Community Food Bank. Playing great games with great people for a great cause.

That’s not all, many of the games on display will also have a tournament with great prizes. There is no additional cost to enter these tournaments. A schedule has been posted on the website to show the start times for each tournament. We have over 70 prizes to give away, so the top 6 in each tournament will win something.

There's a minimum $10 door fee, though participants are encouraged to donate more, as all proceeds will go to the Tucson Community Food Bank. 

Starting today, Kingfisher Bar and Grill (2564 E. Grant Road) is going to be serving up Southern fare as the final stop on their summer Road Trip menu series. Of course, since it's Kingfisher, the menu highlights the best Southern seafood options with a distinct focus on Cajun and Creole cuisines.

Chef Fred Harris designed the "Down South" menu with offerings like a fried oyster po boy, fried green tomatoes and blackened catfish with a Tabasco aioli. Chef Marianne Bane contributed two desserts—coconut buttermilk pie and brown sugar pound cake—to the menu, while bartender Eric Smith is offering three cocktails to pair with dinner. The menu items are priced a la carte and range from $7 to $27.

You can stop into Kingfisher anytime between now and Sunday, Sept. 6 to try the limited time "Down South" menu. Reservations and more information are available by calling 323-7739.

Here's the full menu:

FIRST
Creole Barbecue Shrimp and Grits, Voodoo lager, garlic, butter, Worcestershire and scallions ($13)
Chicken and Andouille Gumbo, dark brown roux, Cajun mirepoix, okra and Texmati rice ($9)
Fried Green Tomatoes, pickled vegetables and roasted garlic aioli ($7)
Roasted Pork Belly, Red Beans and Rice and mango salsa ($9)

DINNER
Blackened Catfish, Tabasco aioli, green tomato jam, Texmati rice, red beans and honeyed carrots ($18)
Grilled Gulf Redfish, roasted peach gastrique, sweet corn relish, hoppin john and grilled zucchini ($27)
Fried Oyster Po Boy, remoulade, lettuce, tomato, potato bun, fries and slaw ($16)
Shrimp Jambalaya, tasso ham, Andouille, sauce picante, Cajun mirepoix, Texmati rice and scallions ($24)

DESSERT
Coconut Buttermilk Pie, blackberry sauce and freshly whipped cream ($8)
Brown Sugar Pound Cake, bourbon glazed grilled peaches and vanilla ice cream ($7.50)

DRINKS
Turkey Shoot: Wild Turkey, Wild Turkey rye and house smoked cola syrup with an absinthe rinse, served on the rocks ($10.50)
Pecan Dandy: Appleton’s rum, dry vermouth, house praline liquer and pecan bitters, served up with an orange twist ($10.50)
King Alfonse on Fire: iced coffee, cayenne infused cream and dark crème de cacao, served on the rocks ($10.50)