Empirical Education Inc. is a Silicon Valley-based R&D firm that uses its deep knowledge of education and its expertise in analytics, research design, and engineering, to help K-12 schools improve their programs and processes. We work directly with state and local education agencies as well as with the U.S. Department of Education, educational publishers, foundations, and leading research organizations that study and serve schools. Empirical has worked in and reported research in all regions of the country, engaging with thousands of educators, collecting and analyzing administrative, survey, and interview data, and conducting video-based observations. Our web-based software tools are currently being used in over 700 school districts supporting administrators at state and local levels to enhance professional development for teachers and school leaders. Empirical's work exemplifies the highest standards of evidence to support high-stakes decisions, while providing rich contextual information to help clients understand how their systems work and how to improve them.