Last night was Meet the QLs (question leaders) where each question on the test was discussed as well as ideas for teaching the questions next year. However, the main attraction was the piloted test, which will be used for everyone in 2017. There are some significant changes coming. Ironically, several of the tweaks that I plan on making for my DBQ instruction for next year will need to be tweaked again (and in some ways back) the following year due to changes in the question. Honestly, it makes the DBQ more like the way that I have envisioned it. There's a lot more writing on the test, but one fewer long essay question (LEQ). Instead there will be a number of short answer questions (SAQs) which are quite similar to the writing prompts that I already have my students respond to nearly every day (yay me!).
One of the big things I learned is that next year they plan on holding two evening professional development seminars during the reading. Even though the reading will take place during the school year (June 3-9), I really need to make every effort to go. Considering the cash-strapped situation that our school is in, I may need to fight a bit for it. Maybe not, as my administration has been very supportive of my going to the reading.
Following the meeting (which went a bit longer than I expected--I didn't hang around for the open bar), I spent some time in the pool again, but am still rather sore. I might get the chance to do some more exploring today should we finish a bit earlier, although (as normal) I have very little money to spend. I hate constantly worrying about money. I'm glad that all of my meals have been paid for.
Only one more day...