Parents of current eighth-graders will be receiving a phone call from HISD at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 29 that will allow them to participate in a live “Tele-Town Hall” meeting to learn about changes coming next school year to high school courses, graduation requirements, and college and career pathways.

A surprise caller will invite parents to click in to a live “meeting,” conducted by ABC-13’s Cynthia Cisneros in English and a separate meeting in Spanish, to learn more about how the state legislation known as House Bill 5 will affect their students’ planning for high school, higher education, and careers.

HISD principals will be on hand to discuss HISD’s 26-credit Distinguished Level of Achievement graduation plan that requires Algebra II and the choice of an “endorsement” – the equivalent of a college major.

They will also describe the five endorsements – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), Business and Industry, Arts and Humanities, Public Services, and Multidisciplinary – and the kinds of courses and career pathways available.

Listeners will have a chance to ask their own questions simply by following instructions and tapping a button. HISD has had success using this tele-town hall format in the past to inform large numbers of families about issues without them having to attend a meeting. If you have questions now, please post them in the comments section below and we’ll pass them along to the principals and administrators participating in the meeting.

Those missing the call can join in from 6-7 p.m. by phoning 855-756-7520 and pressing ext. 24664# for English or ext. 24665# for Spanish.

For more information about the changes to high school, visit HISD’s Plan Your Path website, or contact a counselor at your school.