Given that a review of the available literature suggests links between the problems of school safety (both physical and emotional) and low student achievement, effective school reform needs to address both issues simultaneously. Most education reformers, though doubtless concerned about safety, have, in the wake of the outcomes-based movement in American education, focused mainly on raising student test scores through increasingly standardizing school structures. As well intentioned as outcomes-based reformers may be, they are only seeing part of the puzzle of student achievement. There exists a wealth of programs and curricula that have been shown through research to reduce school violence and to increase feelings of student security; precious little research has been done, however, on the effects of these programs on students' academic attainment. Social Constructivist theory provides a framework to suggest that school environments that encourage peace would also encourage student academic achievement.