How Much Should Be Spent on Education?

Before assigning a money value based on prior years spending and then defending that assessment, we should start by scoping out what we hope to accomplish and determine that cost. Valuation of a K-16 education and allocation of funds to support all the required inputs needed to provide that education is complicated, figuring all: from pencils & books, to salaries & benefits, to costs for improving teaching & technical capabilities. This effort would serve to inform what is needed to support an excellent/adequate education and what the public would be getting for their money.

Thingofitis from mobile...

The thing of it is...

I've heard this preface to a statement (of fact) all my life. I find it interesting that "it" usually requires lots more information before it's really nailed down. Also, "the thing," sometimes, really isn't.