The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of trained hearing peer tutors on the physical activity levels of deaf students in integrated elementary physical education classes. This study utilized a single subject multiple baseline design across subjects. Eight deaf 4th and 5th grade students and eight hearing 4th and 5th grade peer tutors participated in the study. The students were observed during their physical education class and data were analyzed on physical activity levels and peer tutor behavior. The deaf students and peer tutors were first observed during a baseline period of 4-6 classes with no intervention. The peer tutors were trained toward the latter part of the baseline period. The peer tutor intervention lasted from 11-13 classes. During the intervention, the peer tutor and deaf student participated in pairs for the fitness portion of the class. The results of the intervention demonstrated that the implementation of trained hearing peer tutors improved the physical activity levels of both the deaf students and peer tutors. The training of the peer tutors consisted of signs pertaining to: instruction, physical fitness, and teaching techniques in the areas of: cueing, feedback and reinforcement. The cueing approach followed the system of least prompts and included verbal cueing, modeling, and physical assistance. Feedback consisted of positive general and positive specific reinforcement. Peer tutors were trained over four to five 30 minutes sessions. Pre-established criteria required the peer tutors to implement the teaching behaviors with the researcher a minimum of 4 out of 5 times, and receive a score of 90% or better on the peer tutor quiz. All peers were successful at meeting this criteria. Data were collected on the peer tutors tutoring behavior throughout the study by systematic observation. The results of the peer tutor data revealed that the tutors were able to implement the tutor training program. The results of this study demonstrate that elementary aged deaf students and their hearing peers can improve their physical activity levels upon intervention of trained hearing peer tutors. It was also shown that elementary aged peer tutors can be trained to provide assistance to deaf students in integrated physical education classes. Recommendations for future research are provided based on the results of the study. / Graduation date: 1996

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education