Matthew Snapp spoke about his experience at a 2011 Vellore, India, International School Psychology Association conference entitled Educational Psychology in the Context of Globalization, Diversity, and Societal Challenges.

2.  As Director of Student Development with the
Austin Independent School District from 1970
to 1980, Matthew Snapp helped the district
adapt to the larger social changes during the
decade. Mr. Snapp joined a school district in
which many administrators lacked
psychological perspective and a systems
orientation. Moreover, many were nearing
retirement.

3.  The administration was accustomed to
controlling student behavior through
punishment-based discipline. Meanwhile, the
district was undergoing a distinct shift, as the
Civil Rights Movement was changing social
norms, and drugs were becoming an increasing
problem with students. An opportunity occurred
for the participation of counselors and
psychologists in disciplinary matters when
administrators were becoming overwhelmed by
a drug problem in one of the schools.

4.  In this case, an 8th grade student was suspended for drug
possession. That student was to be suspended for the
school year and the drug problem was continuing to get
worse. Rather than simply pursuing the usual long-term
school suspension strategy, the school psychologist got
permission from the Superintendent of Schools to try a
systemic approach to the school's growing illegal drug use
problem. He engaged actively with students to keep the
campus “clean” and free of drugs for the rest of the
semester and in return, the student would only receive a 3-
day suspension and would be able to graduate with his
peers.

5.  Matthew Snapp spoke about his experience
at a 2011 Vellore, India, International School
Psychology Association conference entitled
Educational Psychology in the Context of
Globalization, Diversity, and Societal
Challenges.