Tiger Paw Receives Prestigious QAR Distinction

Ozark administrators gathered with representatives from the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education at Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center on May 8 to celebrate the school’s achievement of quality designation of Exhibiting High Quality through the DESE’s Quality Assurance Report.

“This distinction highlights the level of quality of our early childhood programs at Tiger Paw — not only instructionally, but also the practices we utilize to support the students and families we serve beyond the classroom,” Tiger Paw Principal Dr. Elizabeth Dawson said. “This recognition is a reflection of the outstanding work happening in our schools and the strong opportunities we provide for students in early childhood education.”

“This recognition is a reflection of the outstanding work happening in our schools and the strong opportunities we provide for students in early childhood education.” - Tiger Paw Principal Dr. Elizabeth Dawson

Superintendent Dr. Lori Wilson said high-quality early childhood programs are more important than ever, and this distinction is a testament to Tiger Paw.  

“Ozark is fortunate to have Tiger Paw and the wide range of services and supports we offer to young learners,” Wilson said. “Earning the QAR designation reflects our continued commitment to excellence and aligns perfectly with our district motto: Excellence Drives Us, Tradition Unites Us.” 

According to DESE, the Quality Assurance Report, known as QAR, is “a system designed to recognize the unique aspects of quality in early learning and education programs throughout the State of Missouri.” Exhibiting High Quality is only awarded to programs that achieve at least four Operational Practices and four Responsive Practices Indicators. 

“It’s great to celebrate Tiger Paw’s designation as a QAR,” Quality Specialist Team Lead Dawn Holt said during the presentation May 8. “Not only did Ozark achieve this, but Dr. Dawson and her team went for high quality. This is a rare achievement throughout the state, and Ozark and Tiger Paw should be very proud.”

Dawson said Tiger Paw initially enrolled in QAR for six preschool classrooms in the 2024-25 school year. However, this school year the district elected to enroll all 20 classrooms in the program for evaluation. Throughout the year, all Tiger Paw teachers were observed and scored on multiple data points by the QAR team. 

“The teachers and staff at Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center are highly qualified teaching professionals who understand the importance of early childhood education and work hard each day to build the educational foundation for their students,” Dawson said. “I am extremely proud of them and the work they do each day. They deserve this acknowledgment, and I am excited to celebrate this honor with them.”