Is Ed Reform in Massachusetts About to Hit a Brick Wall?

AMENDMENT LANGUAGE

State Constitutional Provision

• Mass. Const. art. XVIII, ? 2: “All moneys raised
  by taxation in the towns and cities for the support of public schools,
  and all moneys which may be appropriated by the commonwealth for the
  support of common schools shall be applied to, and expended in, no other
  schools than those which are conducted according to law, under the order
  and superintendence of the authorities of the town or city in which the
  money is expended; and no grant, appropriation or use of public money or
  property or loan of public credit shall be made or authorized by the commonwealth
  or any political division thereof for the purpose of founding,
  maintaining or aiding any other school or institution of learning,
  whether under public control or otherwise, wherein any denominational
  doctrine is inculcated, or any other school, or any college, infirmary,
  hospital, institution, or educational, charitable or religious
  undertaking which is not publicly owned and under the exclusive control,
  order and superintendence of public officers or public agents authorized
  by the commonwealth or federal authority or both, except that
  appropriations may be made for the maintenance and support of the
  Soldiers’ Home in Massachusetts and for free public libraries in any
  city or town, and to carry out legal obligations, if any, already
  entered into; and no such grant, appropriation or use of public money or
  property or loan of public credit shall be made or authorized for the
  purpose of founding, maintaining or aiding any church, religious
  denomination or society.” (Passed 11/06/1917)