Reformers have ignored one factor that could propel student learning: Restoring moral authority to relationships between students and educators

Attempts to raise student performance have focused primarily on either relationships between adults in the system or formal curriculum. Relatively ignored has been a focus on what sociologists believe is the primary relationship of consequence for student outcomes - authority relationships between students and educators. Successful school reform is akin to baking a cake: Many ingredients are needed to yield the desired outcome. An important component requires a school climate that is safe and orderly. Absent this, other school-level reforms will be ineffective.