IMPROVING READABILITY OF PSYCHOLOGICAL REPORTS

Psychological reports serve several purposes, including communicating information about a client's functioning and recommending intervention s. To accomplish these purposes, reports must be clearly written and e asily understood. Since the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, clients and parents commonly have access to reports. However, psychologists working in schools, clinics, and independent practice o ften write reports at levels higher than the education level of their audience, particularly parents. An example of rewriting to a simpler l evel is presented. Periodic evaluation of reading levels of reports ma y help psychologists write clearer reports.