Poor students of color attend schools that typically are low-performing. That’s true within almost every state or local context. But from state to state the performance of black, low income students varies significantly. That’s because of differences in public policy.

Take 4th grade reading scores for example. The U.S. Department of Education just released the state results of its highly-regarded NAEP test. Illinois ranked 40th in the reading performance of poor black students. Michigan ranked last. Massachusetts tops the list, with rising Florida now coming in 5th.

This chart is from Matt Ladner:

Illinois could begin its rise to the top by adopting a wide reform platform that Florida piloted over the last decade.