Does Student Behaviour and Teacher Discipline Style Affect Learning?

While reading through chapter 6, one of the most alarming finds by Boaler for me was the fact that the badly behaved and unmotivated students did not under achieve on their examination results in comparison to other students at Phoenix Park.  Does this mean that the more free learning style actually works for these students? Or does it mean that these students may still be learning despite acting out in lessons?  

In addition, Boaler (2002) suggests that a stricter teacher does not yield better results than a teacher that gives students a lot more freedom (p.103).  This also seems to conflict with popular belief of what should work better in a group setting for ample learning.  

Both of these claims have me wondering how much of an impact teachers actually have on the learning of students or is the style of learning more important?  I am so intrigued that I plan to do some research on both topics!