Our Ecosystems: In Balance or Out?

The metaphor of our educational community as an ecosystem is quite powerful. And it’s useful: it helps us understand that what each of us does is a part of a larger whole, that the pieces fit together, and that we need to understand the relationships between those pieces. But there’s a critical question few ask: is it healthy? Biologists tell us that a healthy ecosystem is sustainable. Like the circulation of rainwater, or the cycling of oxygen and carbon dioxide, an ecosystem is self-sustaining. That’s what makes it healthy. No subsidies required.