EXHIBIT A 



Massachusetts SSET Program 

 Site Visit 



On September 15, 1978, Ed McClearen (SSET Researcher) visited 

 the Massachusetts General Assembly SSET Program to take a first- 

 hand look at that State's operation. The following is a basic 

 outline of the structure of the Massachusetts Program: 



Science Resource Network 

 (Massachusetts Legislature) 



I. Network Functions 



A. Inquiry Service 



1. Linkage between legislative inquiries and 

 technical resource people 



2. Telephone conversations with experts are 

 the main source of information 



3. Written responses 



a. Single-page typed responses 



b. Statement of question 



c. Key resource person contacted 



d. Background of SSET issue 



e. Response summarized and references 



B. Dialogue Program 



1 . Deeper probing of questions and issues than is 

 possible with the Inquiry Service 



2. Dialogue program emphasizes legislative "foresight' 

 as opposed to the more traditional after-the-fact 

 legislative review of proposals and programs 



3. Dialogue sessions typically range from one hour 

 face-to-face interviews between technical experts 

 and legislators 



a. Group background briefings for legislator 



b. Seminars for specific committees and groups 

 of legislators 



C. Technical Studies 



1 . Used whenever the network Inquiry Service or 

 Dialogue Program is not appropriate 



2. Science resource network seeks out individuals 

 or organizations to perform specialized in-depth 

 technical studies 



