District leaders first introduced a change to some magnet programs in December, saying the idea here is to focus on skills that will better lead to jobs.
HISD officials have said they want to expand the career center while closing some programs at 10 high schools, including four magnet schools: Waltrip, Heights, Kashmere, and Northside.
The school board met on Thursday and voted unanimously to phase out the graphic design programs at those four magnet schools. Waltrip will also lose its Digital Communications program.
When district leaders first introduced the proposal, many parents spoke up, saying they wanted a chance to give input on such a big change.
HISD delayed the decision and held several community meetings. Still, many parents feel their opinions were not considered.
The Barbara Jordan Career Center offers 16 vocational programs, including automotive technology, welding, and culinary skills.
Senior Brisa Bustos is enrolled in the culinary program.
"I'm excited to be able to be like, I graduated with a certificate, and be able to go to any business I want," Bustos said.
The district said the change only impacts new students, not current students -- and that the four impacted schools will keep their magnet status.
"What we found is that there are graphic design studies that really aren't leading to very many living wage jobs in Houston," Gillian Quinn, HISD's executive director of Career and Technical Education, said.
Quinn said these changes would give students more opportunities, not fewer.
She said that even with the programs canceled, schools could still offer classes in those subjects.
Still, many families are asking a bigger question: what should high school education be for?
"Every school district," Quinn said, "every few years should be saying, 'Are we offering the right courses, do they align with jobs?'"
"It's not necessarily about them maximizing their income after high school, but it's about them finding out, do I want to do this or not, or just do it for fun," Ilya Martinalbo, who has two children in HISD schools, said. "I have thought of pulling my kids out, and I could, but I decided that I'm going to stay and fight for my kids and all kids to have a good public education that gives them opportunities."