The goal of school staff members is to support the teaching and learning missions of students by establishing an environment that promotes these missions. Adults and authority figures can help stabilize the environment by providing sufficient structure to guide the exercise of student freedom. Because of varied definitions and personal interpretations of the term "discipline," school staff members are often confused about what constitutes good discipline in their own school and classrooms. School administrators and teachers may benefit by establishing a clearer understanding of the basic concepts and principles of discipline. Comprehensive organization and planning to avoid discipline-related problems is referred to as "preventive discipline," and much can be accomplished through a preventive stance. A review of basic but essential concepts and principles can help teachers and administrators support the school and classroom environment by setting conditions that bring about the best in students' potential for learning. Four appendixes include a preventive discipline checklist, classroom behavior management form, and sample classroom standards. (RJS)