Which aspect of public education was established by the Northwest Ordinance?

The Northwest Ordinance, enacted in 1787, laid the foundation for the governance and settlement of the Northwest Territory. It is significant for its role in establishing a framework for public education in the newly formed states. The ordinance specifically outlined that "religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged." This provision effectively created a precedent for the incorporation of public education systems into state constitutions. As a result, states formed after the adoption of the Northwest Ordinance often mirrored its educational principles, embedding support for public education into their foundational documents. This influence persists in modern state constitutions, highlighting the ordinance's lasting legacy on the American education system.