Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 71, § 75

If the school committee of any city or town determines that sufficient need exists in such city or town for providing a course of school instruction beyond the regular high school course of instruction, it shall submit in writing a plan of such course to the state department of education for its written approval, and may thereafter establish and maintain such extended course of instruction on junior college level, and public funds may be appropriated for the purpose; provided, that the course of instruction proposed in said plan shall conform to such standards as said department may establish and shall be maintained by said school committee under the general regulations of said department.