Plain Writing 2026 – State of the Nation: Top 31 U.S. Agencies Audited (April 2026)

This report delivers the first AI-driven audit of plain language compliance across 31 federal High Impact Service Provider (HISP) websites. Findings reveal an average score of 57.4, with 45% of agencies receiving failing grades due to excessive jargon, unclear structure, and poor actionability. A total of 795 jargon terms and 370 undefined acronyms were identified, creating barriers to public understanding. While a few agencies demonstrate strong performance, most fail to meet basic communication standards. The report highlights systemic issues and recommends recurring AI-powered audits to improve clarity, accessibility, and overall government service delivery.