Dr. John Readence, dean of UNLV's College of Education, has announced that he has resigned his deanship and will return to the curriculum and instruction department faculty, effective Sept. 15.

Readence, who has served as dean for more than two years, said he made the decision to step down in order to devote his professional energies to the "Reading Research Quarterly," a professional journal that he edits, and to advising doctoral students, among other instructional and research activities.

In a memo to the College of Education faculty Readence wrote, "I believe we have made great gains during this time, and the future looks potentially even brighter."

President Carol C. Harter credited Readence's leadership and the efforts of College of Education faculty members for "making significant progress in increasing student access to UNLV's teacher-education programs. Dr. Readence also played a key role in helping us bring the Paradise Elementary School and adjoining Bennett Professional Development Building to the UNLV campus," she said.

Provost Douglas Ferraro said, "John Readence served the college well, and I respect his reasons for wanting to focus on his faculty research activities. The college of education has set a fine course for the preparation of teachers for Nevada, and this course will not be impeded as we transition to a new dean."

Ferraro said an interim dean will be named in the next few days, after the college faculty and executive committee have a chance to provide input to the selection process. A national search will be conducted for a permanent replacement, who will fill the position prior to the start of the 1999-2000 academic year.