To Encourage or Punish? Without discipline, there is chaos. Without orderliness, learning cannot occur(Simmons 70). Classroom disruption is being recognized by both conservative politicians and the American Federation of Teachers, as a key problem in schools. More and more teachers are resorting to punishment to solve these problems. Advocates of punishment believe it is a more effective method than encouragement to increase patience in studying. But when is the use of punishment necessary and when is it enough? Critics of punishment believe that when rules are clear and consequences are straight forward, children learn the importance of inner co