This report measures Illinois' educational performance from early childhood through postsecondary education. It tracks how students have performed during the past decade and how that performance compares with students in other states. The state knows that improvement does not happen overnight. By tracking what happens to students over time, Illinois can continuously refine strategies to support them. This report examines six key data measures that make up the rungs of Illinois' ladder to college success, which spans preschool to postsecondary completion. They show the numbers of: (1) Children starting school kindergarten-ready; (2) 4th-graders proficient in reading; (3) 8th-graders proficient in math, a critical measure of preparedness for high school; (4) High school students graduating college- and career-ready; (5) High school students enrolling in postsecondary education; and (6) High school students persisting through postsecondary education. After showing where Illinois stands on the rungs of the ladder to college success, this report examines the data supporting each rung in more detail, with special attention to changes over time, and gaps in achievement by race, ethnicity and income. To assess how well Illinois educates its students, the state tracks 55 metrics grouped into three categories: (1) early education; (2) K-12; and (3) postsecondary. These metrics not only assess student outcomes but also measure learning conditions and leading indicators that often change before student outcomes improve. Data for each metric show: (1) Current performance; (2) Past performance; (3) Leading states and Illinois' comparative national rank; and (4) Equity gaps by race and ethnic origin, as well as income and special education status where available. [For the previous report, "The State We're In: 2012. A Report Card on Public Education in Illinois," see ED573243.]