The focus of the AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) Peer Educators project (based on Kohlberg's Cognitive Stage Theory of the Development of Moral Judgement) is to change behavior using a peer-based approach. Good mental preparation is essential if the Peer Educator is to be effective, for the AIDS Peer Educator is frequently required to help students resolve issues the AIDS Peer Educator may not have yet resolved for themselves. Additionally, there are a number of mental traps into which an AIDS Peer Educator can fall. This intervention model, loosely based on reality therapy. provides a useful framework from which the AIDS Peer Educators can base their specific interventions. The most significant aspect of the model is that it allows the AIDS Peer Educator to adjust the intervention to meet the individual student's developmental stage. The assessment phase of the model is the most critical and demands the most discipline on the part of the AIDS Peer Educator. The effective AIDS Peer Educator slowly illicits information and tests his or her understanding of the student's behaviors and motivations. Interventions take many forms, but should be based on the student's needs and developmental level, not with the feelings of the AIDS Peer Educator. With rare exceptions, an AIDS Peer Educator will need to engage in a series of interventions and provide support until the student is able to internalize the safer behaviors. (ABL)