Bessie B. Moore Center
for Economic Education
The Bessie B. Moore Center for Economic Education is dedicated to promoting an understanding of the American economic system for Arkansans. We believe that this can only be done by training teachers, giving them effective curriculum materials, and instilling an enthusiasm for teaching economics.
The center was dedicated in 1979 and named after Bessie Moore, Ph.D., a pioneer in economic education in Arkansas. It is an outreach unit of the College of Education and Health Professions of the University of Arkansas, having begun in the U of A Walton College of Business. It is affiliated with the Economics Arkansas and the Council for Economic Education and has received national recognition for exemplary teacher education programs and curricula. The founding director was Thomas McKinnon, Ph.D., followed in 2004 by Rita Littrell, Ph.D., and in 2025 by Sheri Deaton, Ph.D.
Objectives
- Develop engaging online educational resources that enhance understanding of the American economic system and its power to facilitate business and societal development.
- Distribute these educational resources among teachers and facilitate the use of these resources in K-12 schools in Arkansas.
- Create experiential programs that stimulate the entrepreneurial mindset of K -12 students and empower them to be innovative and proactive in their life choices and activities.
Mission — To deepen understanding, among Arkansas K-12 students and teachers, of the entrepreneurship-related opportunities afforded by the American economic system and to inspire students to pursue these opportunities.
Vision — To promote economic development in Arkansas by empowering K-12 educators to integrate the entrepreneurial way of thinking thereby supporting statewide startup initiatives.
Teaching Resources
