This study was to examine perceptions of general elementary school teachers on children with
borderline intellectual functioning(BIF). For this purpose, 11 teachers participated in the focus group
interviews. After the interviews were completed, the data were transcribed with four coding systems.
Based on the interview responses, a phenomenological approach was taken to conduct analysis under
the four subjects, which include the concept, characteristics, screening and diagnosis, and education of
children with borderline intellectual functioning. The major findings were as follows. First, teachers
had unclear concepts of children with borderline intellectual functioning and accordingly perceived
that children with BIF could be easily neglected in learning situation. They also believed that both
intellectual and adaptive behavior functions should be considered simultaneously. Second, the teachers
perceived that children with BIF exhibited their cognitive, affective, and behavioral characteristics in a
complex manner. Third, they had difficulties to identify children with BIF according to learning
situations due to the absence of guideline to screen and diagnose them. Fourth, the teachers
perceived that academic abilities of children with BIF has been inevitably limited because they did
not received proper educations and supports. Based on these finding, some discussions and suggestions
were offered.