BFL (Below Foundation Level) is an assessment result shown when a student is working below the Foundation level expectations of the Victorian Curriculum 2.0.
It indicates that a student has not yet demonstrated the baseline understanding required for Foundation-level content. BFL provides an indication that additional support may be required and can help inform future teaching and learning decisions.
Why does a student receive a BFL result?
Essential Assessment assesses against the Victorian Curriculum 2.0, beginning at Foundation level.
If a student's responses indicate they have not yet demonstrated the baseline Foundation-level understandings assessed, the platform will display BFL (Below Foundation Level) as their assessment result.
This does not mean the student has been assigned a curriculum level below Foundation. Rather, it indicates that there is currently insufficient assessment evidence to place the student within the Foundation curriculum progression.
Why don't students receive a D-level result?
Under Victorian Curriculum 1.0, Essential Assessment included assessments aligned to the D-level curriculum, allowing student results to be reported against those curriculum levels.
With the introduction of Victorian Curriculum 2.0, the curriculum begins at Foundation level and Essential Assessment no longer includes assessments aligned to the former D-level curriculum.
As a result, Essential Assessment does not collect evidence against D-level outcomes and cannot accurately report a D-level result. Without assessment evidence aligned to the previous D-level curriculum, it would be inappropriate to assign a D-level achievement level.
Instead, students who have not yet demonstrated Foundation-level understanding are shown as BFL (Below Foundation Level). This ensures assessment results remain evidence-based and aligned to the curriculum being assessed.