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This article analyzes the mission of the Superior Council of Education of Quebec, created by the Parent Commission which conceived it in 1964 as a “permanent commission of inquiry on education”. It is translated, on one hand, by a role of “go-between” involving civil society, educational actors and political bodies, and, on the other hand, by an analytical work of Quebec’s societal evolution. To accomplish such a mission, research of different kinds (historical, comparative, evaluative, etc.) provides an important resource, but does not dictate the conclusions of the deliberations, the formulation of which remains a political act. First, this article presents the origins of the Council and the particular context which influenced its birth; the contribution of research and the relationship between the Council and the polity are analyzed and discussed in a context strongly marked by its origins. Secondly, we analyze recent evolutions of the socio-political context which complexify the Council’s work, while rendering its mission as pertinent as previously. In conclusion, we discuss the originality of the Council.