The suggested process adopting and learning how to use the PAXIS system is as follows:

Contemplation and Investigation.  PAXIS recommends that schools examine any suggested approach for prevention or school improvement. The examination process at a school site needs to consider several factors:

How well can the proposed plan co-exist with current successful strategies?

How well can the proposed plan meet multiple objectives of the school site?

How soon can the proposed plan produce positive effects so that everyone feels encouraged by results rather than feeling continually overwhelmed or helpless?

How cost-effective (money, time and people) is the plan compared to other options?

How well does the plan provide for ongoing feedback for success?

How flexible is the plan if conditions change? How well can it be updated?

PAXIS provides tools and procedures to sites to answer these questions. PAXIS recommends that interested schools or districts order or download the pre-adoption tools. The title of the package is PAX IS: Creating a School Plan for Increased Academic Performance, Peace, Health and Happiness. The web site is www.paxis. org. The last page contains details on how to order the CD-ROM for sites that prefer or need a different mechanism. The web download is free, and the CD-ROM carries a modest charge.

Timing of Adoption. Schools may successfully implement PAXIS at any time of the school year, which eases the stress on school staff who often must cope with a host of new curriculum or programs at the start of a school year.

Becoming a PAXIS site. Schools (public or private) or school districts will need to complete a purchase order.

Preparation for Implementation. After an order is placed, schools will receive a PAXIS Demo CD-ROM. This will help the site get ready. In communities with PAXIS Partners or PAXIS Best Practices Partners, there may be local support available for preparing for implementation.

Implementation Orientation. Subscribing schools may choose to make use of multiple methods of orientation for the PAXIS system. Schools may choose to send a team to a session at a PAXIS Institute Campus, which is typically on location of schools and communities who are using approaches. Attending teams return with tools to orient their own campuses or to assist in the orientation of their sites. Schools may also choose to have qualified faculty from the PAXIS Institute conduct implementation orientation on location for their site. Both options may be chosen. Sites may also elect to purchase training delivered by PAXIS approved faculty on their own campuses.

Implementation Support. PAXIS maintains a number of strategies for assisting sites to maximize success. All sites receive email support prompts, web-access, and scheduled conference support calls. Additionally, site visits to locations by qualified faculty may be arranged, and PAXIS sites receive special notifications of events, conferences and seminars at PAXIS campuses.