The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of general education elementary
teachers on characteristics of students with emotional and/or behavioral problems and
classroom support plans through focus group interviews(FGI). A total of sixty-four teachers
participated in focus group interviews which were based upon two opened-questions. After
the interviews were completed, the data were transcribed and coded by three coding
systems. The major findings of the FGI were as follows: First, the characteristics of students
with emotional and/or behavioral problems fell into two categories: (a) internalized
behavioral characteristics and (b) externalized behavioral characteristics. Internalized
behavioral characteristics included emotional fluctuation, anxiety, selective mutism,
depression, atrophy, and suicidal tendencies. Externalized behavioral characteristics included
aggressive behaviors, hyperactivity, TV/computer game/internet addition, taletelling,/lies,
lack of self-regulation, defiance,/insulting remarks, subordination to authority/use of power,
autistic tendencies, shop-lifting, attention deficits, school refusal, sexual behavior, negative
response/self-defensiveness, and lack of language skills. Second, Classroom support plans fell
into two categories: (a) behavioral support plans and (b) academic support plans. Behavioral
support plans included providing emotional support for the target students and changing
classroom management strategies. Academic support plans included changing instructional
strategies, providing appropriate learning materials based on the academic achievement level
and learning pace for individual students, and providing small group or one-on-one
instruction. According to these results, it is crucial for teachers to develop competencies that
meet the needs of students with emotional and/or behavioral problems in their own
classrooms as well as to seek support from outside experts.