Diboll ISD Students Outperform Texas in End-of-Course Exams, Post Major Gains in 2026 STAAR Results

DIBOLL, Texas — Preliminary 2026 STAAR End-of-Course (EOC) results show Diboll High School students outperforming the State of Texas in four of the five tested subjects, with especially strong gains in Algebra I, Biology, and English courses.

The results, released Wednesday by the Texas Education Agency, reflect a year of significant academic growth for Diboll ISD and mirror statewide trends of improvement. Across Texas, the percentage of students achieving the “Meets Grade Level” standard increased in all five EOC subjects in 2026. Biology, English I, and English II performance statewide now exceeds pre-pandemic levels.  

What makes Diboll’s results stand out, however, is that the district exceeded the state average in most tested subjects—and often by substantial margins.

Algebra I: Diboll’s Biggest Success Story

Algebra I produced the most dramatic improvement.

• Diboll 2026 Meets: 59%
• Texas 2026 Meets: 54%
• Diboll Improvement from 2025: +42 percentage points
• Texas Improvement from 2025: +7 percentage points

While Texas saw notable growth in Algebra I this year, Diboll’s gains were six times larger than the statewide increase. Diboll students not only recovered from a difficult 2025 testing cycle but moved ahead of the state average in one year.  

Biology: Diboll Extends Its Lead

Biology has long been a district strength, and the 2026 results further widened the gap between Diboll and Texas.

• Diboll 2026 Meets: 73%
• Texas 2026 Meets: 71%
• Diboll Improvement: +14 points
• Texas Improvement: +9 points

Even after the state’s Biology assessment was updated to fully reflect revised science standards, Diboll students continued to outperform statewide results while increasing the percentage of students meeting grade-level expectations.  

English I and English II Show Strong Growth

Diboll students posted impressive gains in both English assessments.

English I

• Diboll: 62% Meets
• Texas: 55% Meets
• Difference: +7 points

English II

• Diboll: 62% Meets
• Texas: 60% Meets
• Difference: +2 points

The results are particularly noteworthy given that reading and writing performance has been an area of concern across Texas in recent years. Statewide gains in English I and English II were modest, while Diboll’s improvements were significantly larger.  

U.S. History Remains a Strength

U.S. History continued to be one of Diboll’s strongest tested subjects.

• Diboll 2026 Meets: 67%
• Texas 2026 Meets: 70%

Although the state average remains slightly higher in U.S. History, Diboll improved five percentage points from 2025 and maintained strong performance levels. The district also posted a 25% Masters rate.

Beyond “Approaches”

Education leaders often focus on the Meets Grade Level standard because it indicates students are prepared for success in future coursework with minimal intervention. The Texas Education Agency considers the Meets and Masters levels stronger indicators of college, career, and military readiness than simply passing at the Approaches level.  

Using that benchmark, Diboll’s gains are especially significant:

A Year of Academic Momentum

The 2026 EOC results suggest Diboll ISD’s emphasis on data-driven instruction, targeted interventions, tutorial support, and campus accountability systems may be paying dividends.

Perhaps most encouraging is that the district’s strongest gains came in subjects that have historically been among the most challenging statewide. Algebra I, often considered a gateway course for future academic success, improved by more than 40 percentage points in Diboll, while Biology and English courses also posted double-digit gains.

With STAAR results for grades 3-8 still to be released later this month, district leaders say the EOC outcomes provide an early indication that Diboll students are making substantial academic progress.

“These results reflect the hard work of our students, teachers, campus leaders, and families. While there is still work to do, we are encouraged by the growth we’re seeing and remain focused on ensuring every Lumberjack is prepared for success after graduation,” noted Superintendent Dr. Igor Gusyakov.