<P> The ordinance was also significant for establishing a mechanism for funding public education . Section 16 in each township was reserved for the maintenance of public schools . Many schools today are still located in section sixteen of their respective townships , although a great many of the school sections were sold to raise money for public education . In later States , section 36 of each township was also designated as a `` school section '' . </P>
within the townships created by the land ordinance of 1785 one section was set aside for
the maintenance of public schools