Oregon’s Transformative Social and Emotional Learning (TSEL) Framework and Standards

Oregon’s Transformative SEL Framework and Standards were adopted by the State Board of Education on June 15, 2023 and to be implemented in districts by July 1, 2024 (ORS 329.045, Section 4).

The framework and standards utilizes and expands on CASEL’s definition of Transformative SEL to help build capacity for strengthening school cultures that center equity, and support student and adult well-being through a systemic approach. Together, they create coherence and clarity for Transformative SEL in Oregon that:

• Responds to House Bill 2166, now implemented as ORS 329.045 section 4, to develop an SEL framework and standards;
• Aligns to Oregon’s Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPSC) Educator SEL Framework and Standards;
• Builds on the Preliminary Description of the Proposed Social Emotional Learning Standards Framework for Oregon report developed by the Phase 1 SEL Advisory Group;
• Extends Oregon's Early Learning and Kindergarten Guidelines to include K-12 standards; and
• Expands on the SEL pillar of ODE’s Integrated Model for Mental Health.

Framework & Standards Documents:

• Oregon's Transformative SEL Framework & Standards - Full version
• Oregon's Transformative SEL Framework and Standards - Overview
• Oregon's Transformative SEL Framework - At-A-Glance
• Oregon’s Transformative SEL Standards - Only

Oregon’s Transformative SEL Framework Components

Oregon’s SEL Framework is grounded by four components that are essential to creating an ecosystem for Transformative SEL to thrive in classrooms, schools, and communities:

1. Guiding Principles: Serve as the foundational values and beliefs that are woven throughout the framework to guide decisions about how the Transformative SEL Standards are implemented.
2. Conditions for Learning & Thriving: Describes how partnerships, policies, and practices cultivate an ecosystem of Transformative SEL.
3. Adult Transformative SEL: Focuses on improving adult well-being, creating a positive work environment, and increasing competence so that adults can teach, model, coach, and nurture SEL with their students.
4. Student Transformative SEL: Fosters opportunities for students to develop and practice their knowledge, skills, habits, and dispositions. Oregon’s Transformative SEL Standards are a pathway to nurturing Student SEL.

All of the components are necessary to support the success of Transformative SEL in schools and districts. Each component intentionally complements and reinforces the others in a reciprocal and dynamic way.

Oregon’s Transformative SEL Standards

Oregon’s Transformative SEL Standards support schools in ensuring Student Transformative SEL. The five standards were developed by braiding CASEL’s descriptors for each of the five competencies (Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision-Making) with the five transformative SEL focal constructs (Identity, Agency, Belonging, Collaborative Problem-Solving, and Curiosity).

Oregon’s Transformative SEL Standards describe what a person needs to know, understand, and be able to do when it comes to Transformative SEL. Each standard includes 3-4 practices that demonstrate progression towards meeting the standard with more focused knowledge and skill. Each practice also includes a set of four growth indicators organized by Webb’s Depth of Knowledge (Webb, 1997, 1999), providing guidance on what these may look like in action and indicate growth towards the practice and standard. The growth indicators are also intended to help guide adults in making decisions about what learning opportunities are most appropriate for use with individual students and the learning community as they learn, practice, and reflect on how they are making progress towards the standards. The growth indicators serve as a useful guide for implementation and are an optional resource.


Standard 1: Self-Awareness & Identity: Identify and reflect upon one’s thoughts, emotions, behaviors, intersectional identity, and capabilities across situations and environments.

Standard 2: Self-Management & Agency: Use management strategies to build personal and collective agency that lead to achieving goals and aspirations.

Standard 3: Social Awareness & Belonging: Develop social awareness that fosters a sense of belonging and leads to co-constructing equitable, thriving communities and a vibrant society.

Standard 4: Relationship Skills & Collaborative Problem-Solving: Establish and maintain healthy, supportive relationships and effectively navigate diverse settings in order to collaboratively solve problems.

Standard 5: Responsible Decision-Making & Curiosity: Demonstrate curiosity and analysis of oneself and society in order to make caring choices that impact personal, social, and collective well-being across situations and environments.