The current education policy environment places a heavy emphasis on scientifically based research. This article examines how whole school improvement models approach the development of a research agenda, including what influences and challenges model providers face in implementing their agenda. Responses also detail the advantages and disadvantages model providers see in using internal and external research teams to carry out their research agenda. In addition, the article addresses common themes about how model providers believe their research agenda interacts with the public realm, including how education consumers use research in selecting a whole school improvement model and how their models are portrayed in systematic reviews of their models' research.