When students, parents, educators, and partners have the right information to make decisions, students excel. One of the most powerful sources of information for families, educators, and policymakers about education is the high-quality analysis and research conducted by trained and engaged experts across the country. Their work gives us answers that cannot be found anywhere else--the answers that inform our decisions about programming, staffing, how to use limited resources, and how to support each student's growth. Research identifies areas of unmet need and areas of opportunity, helps education leaders invest in effective and innovative practices, and pinpoints factors that keep kids on track for success. In addition research uncovers dynamics that might challenge conventional wisdom and guide practitioners to more effective solutions. Without high-quality and trustworthy education research, communities will be making decisions in the dark, and more students will be left behind. [The contents of this paper were developed with input from: Juliane Baron, Felice J. Levine, Dan Goldhaber, Augustus Mays, David Figlio, Macke Raymond, Ron Haskins, and Amelia Vance.]