Research has shown that students and teachers can benefit from structured in-school helping relationships in which peers assume formal roles as tutors. For the student in need of academic help, peer tutoring programs provide an opportunity to learn in a more nonthreatening environment than the classroom. Immediate feedback and clarification of information is possible. For the student tutor, these programs reinforce their own knowledge, build their self-esteem, and develop a sense of responsibility. The experience may result in improved attitudes for both the tutor and the learner, and can also foster cross- cultural and interracial awareness. The use of peer tutors in the classroom can make teachers more flexible and enable them to better target their efforts toward individual students. Effective peer tutoring programs have used the follow steps to guide their work: (1) establish a planning group; (2) assess student needs; (3) develop measurable goals and objectives; (4) determine faculty, material, and equipment needs; (5) develop a draft plan for school staff and parental review; (6) formally present a revised plan; (7) conduct an orientation; and (8) conduct ongoing evaluation. Peer tutoring is an underutilized instructional strategy in urban schools. (VM)