Homeland Security gets an A, Education gets a D on Federal Plain Language Report Card

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Center for Plain Language issued its annual Federal Plain Language Report Card yesterday grading government agencies on how well they communicate with the nation's taxpayers. The Department of Homeland Security tied for top grades with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Social Security Administration. The Departments of Education, Interior, and State received the lowest grades.

The annual evaluation, announced by Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-IA), grades federal government agencies on their adherence to the Plain Writing Act of 2010. The yearly Federal Plain Language Report Card shows how well the agencies are doing, giving grades from A to F on:

• Compliance with the requirements of the Plain Writing Act
• Plain writing
• Information design

"In an age where information is at our fingertips and easily accessible, we must adapt and simplify our federal government to keep up with the needs of the American public," said Congressman Dave Loebsack. "Throughout my time in Congress, I have been a strong supporter of efforts to improve transparency, which is why I'm proud to be a voice in ensuring that federal agencies are communicating in plain language."

View the 2014 report card and criteria for the grades.

"When we started the federal report card three years ago, we wanted the focus on performance, not lip service," said Susan Kleimann, PhD, Center for Plain Language Chair. "Today's scores show that most agencies are complying and they are performing better as well. The American public deserves clear communication from the government and we're happy to help make that happen.

"The public review process works," said Kath Straub, PhD, Center for Plain Language Board Member and Report Card Analysis Lead. "With the help of the press, we have nudged federal departments to demonstrate their commitment to Plain Language. In 2014, nearly every agency is now in compliance with the Plain Writing Act. The grades show that agencies are embracing both the letter and the spirit of the Plain Writing Act."

The Center for Plain Language, a non-profit organization, supports those who use plain language, trains those who should use plain language, and urges people to demand plain language in all the documents they receive, read, and use. For more information and to become a member, visit www.centerforplainlanguage.org.

SOURCE The Center for Plain Language

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http://centerforplainlanguage.org