A Handbook for Improving Student Achievement in Secondary Schools

Democratic values, student achievement, and effective citizenship are intrinsically linked. The research, however, is that students, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, have few opportunities to practice democratic citizenship in secondary schools.

Alongside current threats to democracy, this should concern us all: professional learning communities, teacher-leaders, parents, consultants, administrators, school districts, human rights activists, minority leadership, the justice system, local communities, university faculties, state education departments, and citizens in general.

Democratic citizenship is a superordinate goal – a composite of communicative abilities, freedom with responsibility, inclusiveness, career preparation, community mindfulness, evidence-based thinking, collective ownership, distributed leadership, and support for those in need. Student leadership, including school research (their own school and others), not only benefits the school generally, but helps prepare high school students for freedom, responsibilities, and opportunities as democratic citizens.

Such leadership has foundations: student-chosen teacher advisors, daily advisories, collaborative learning expertise, student-led assemblies, self-regulation, leadership credit courses, and virtual/personal connections with student leaders in other schools, districts, and countries.

Expanded contributions are student feedback on teacher performance, student-led (parent-student- teacher) conferences, after-school activities leadership, reciprocal teaching, and participation in school/district decision making. All under the auspices of improved language capability, teacher modeling and encouragement, a learning to learn focus, and gradual release of responsibility.

Endorsements

John Hattie

“There is never a dull moment reading this book. Centred on the principles of democracy, it points to the need for broad participation and thus calls for schools to do more, do better, and do wonderful things to ignite a love of learning. Orchard masterfully outlines seven key theorems to make his case; a compelling roadmap for educators to foster effective learning strategies.”

Professor Emeritus John Hattie, Melbourne Laureate

Michael Fullan

“Jack Orchard’s 'Handbook for Improving Student Achievement in Secondary Schools' is powerful, timely, and an action-packed message for us to get going in transforming secondary schools. Orchard’s Handbook is grounded, urgent, insightful, and deeply practical. Anybody in high schools can act on this agenda. Read this book with others, be collectively inspired, and get down to the excitement and frustrations of engaging in breakthrough change. The good news is that students, teachers (and eventually parents and communities) will be excited to join in and make the long-awaited transformation of secondary schools.”

Professor Emeritus Michael Fullan, OISE/University of Toronto

The Great New Freedom State: How Five Nutcase Geeks Saved the World

This is a story of humanity’s future. Can we find remedies and resources to mend our often mismanaged world? Why do humans struggle to get along? What makes us worthy of heaven? These profound questions rest in the hands of five extraordinary teenagers, just 13 and 14 years old, who take on the challenge of creating a better world modeled after the visionary Great New Freedom State.

Dubbed ‘Geeks’ by their peers, these brilliant young minds are guided by a wondrous God spirit known as ‘Fa.’ Endowed with divine insight, they embark on a mission to devise a plan that could restore the earth to its pristine state.

Faced with the consequences of humanity’s past mistakes – the depletion of resources and the extinction of countless species – these unlikely heroes must find ways to replenish the planet’s bounty. Their journey is a testament to hope, ingenuity, and faith.

May God bless those who love the world, and may God bless the Great New Freedom State.

Hershey the Sweetest Dog Ever

Meet Hershey, the sweetest dog ever!

This heartwarming story follows a lovable, kind, and playful pup who teaches us valuable life lessons about patience, acceptance, and kindness. His unconditional love for both his furry friends and his human family is truly priceless.

Hershey may be a dog, but the lessons he shares are cherished by all who know him. Everyone who meets him falls in love!

Snuggle up and enjoy this delightful tale of love, friendship, and the joy a special pet can bring.

Shift

Sean is a modern-day hero in the year 2087 – but in his own time, few would recognize it. Most of his work takes place in the past. As a time-traveling agent, he corrects historical wrongs. However, when his latest mission fails to take hold, he and his team are tasked with uncovering why. What they discover goes far beyond fixing the company’s accounting books. They begin to unravel a shift of power that threatens their present.

How far back in time will Sean have to go to set things right? The rules of time travel are designed to protect the agents themselves, but when the past holds what Sean cherishes most, what rules will he break to protect it?

Around the World Not Counting Days

Having graduated without distinction in 1958 from Fresno State College, 22-year-old John Kessell had no job interviews lined up, no letters of acceptance from grad schools, so the natural course seemed what’s called these days a “gap year.” Why shouldn’t he travel to Australia, his father’s native land, and get to know his Aussie kin?

When these generous Australians refused to let the young American spend any money, he still had so many unspent travelers’ checks that he was able to trade his round-trip Sydney-San Francisco for a one-way Sydney-Gibraltar. Why not go on around the world, not his original plan?

John Kessell had no idea in 1958 what sailing on an ocean liner from San Francisco to Sydney might be like. Those were still the days when people took a boat to get somewhere, not just an over-hyped “cruise” on a floating amusement park. So let’s step back sixty-five years, retrofit our passports, and join John on a boat to somewhere!

The Fabulous Adventures of Minnie the Wonder Cat

The Fabulous Adventures of Minnie the Wonder Cat is a collection of stories about two extraordinary NYC-based cats, Minnie and Tashi. The cats hail from the mythical Himalayan realm of Cataleenia, where they studied such magical feline arts as invisibility, dental telepathy and flying.

Once in New York City, Minnie and Tashi apply their super-powers, flying around the Big Apple, righting wrongs and fighting injustice wherever they find it. With a light touch, the book explores issues of immigration; the rights of children, seniors and animals; prejudice and racism; the value of the arts; a bit of history; and the aspiration to be of benefit in this world and to serve others. It’s about the power of love.

In their adventures, Minnie and Tashi foil a kidnapping plot, rescue the residents of a poorly run nursing home, turn out an evil-doer from their beloved homeland, avert tragedy in a theatre, redeem an adolescent gang of would-be thugs, and put their magical paws on the pulse of the past, enabling a brighter future for us all. These stories are fables for all ages.

What if God Had Been Sleepy?

Have you ever wondered how our world might be, if God had been sleepy when He made you and me?

This whimsical picture book about the seven days of Creation is a fanciful tale for God’s littlest angels at bedtime or any time. Children will love the pictures and the rhymes. They can read along with mom or dad, or just relax and let their imagination run wild with the illustrations.

Experience God’s wonder and His love on every page. And know that once this fanciful week of Creation begins, the smiles will never stop.

It's a Sign

WHAT IF?

What if every coincidence in your life wasn’t random? What if it was the universe whispering in your ear? What if the signs you’ve been ignoring were actually guiding you toward your ultimate purpose?

We’ve all had those moments – events so random they feel almost deliberate. Most of the time, we dismiss them, caught in the noise of our everyday lives. But what if, instead of brushing them off, you stopped? What if you listened – and followed that nudge, the one that felt like the universe was pointing you toward something greater? What if you trusted it, just once?

The author did exactly that. He took a leap of faith, followed the signs, and embarked on a journey that transformed his life. That profound transformation is captured, step by step, in the pages of this book. It’s raw, unflinching, and deeply human.

If you’ve ever felt lost, if you’ve ever questioned your path: this is the sign you’ve been waiting for.

Your life purpose is calling. Will you answer?

Cartel Bands On

The American immigration system is often described as broken, with calls for Congress to completely rewrite the laws. Many believe that foreign gangs are taking over the streets, drug cartels control the border, taxpayers are funding the lives of migrants, and American workers are being replaced by those willing to work for less.

But are these claims true?

Cartel Bands On takes a deep dive into the realities of the American immigration system. Written by a retired Border Patrol Agent, this book combines factual analysis with firsthand experiences from the author's career.

With a clear and accessible approach, it explores the history and laws governing immigration while providing a closer look at what both legal and illegal migrants encounter upon entering the country. Readers are invited to challenge their assumptions and critically assess whether the system is truly broken. If it is, how should it be fixed?

Mars Trek

Mars Trek chronicles the first human mission to Mars in the year 2076, a joint endeavour between the United States and Russia. The American team travels aboard a rotating spacecraft that simulates gravity, while the Russian team opts for a zero-gravity vessel.

Although a work of science fiction, Mars Trek offers broad appeal to general readers, much like Andy Weir’s The Martian. It combines visionary technology and scientifically grounded detail with a compelling portrayal of the human side of space exploration. From the journey through deep space to life on the Martian surface, the novel captures both the excitement and the emotional weight of such a mission.

With its unique approach and thoughtful execution, Mars Trek is especially timely in light of current discussions surrounding the feasibility of human travel to Mars, including Elon Musk’s highly ambitious timelines.

Blending technical accuracy with vivid storytelling, the novel presents thrilling moments as the crew faces unexpected emergencies, while also exploring the personal challenges and triumphs of the individuals on board.

English Language Structure in Context for English Second Language Learners

This book is an A-to-Z guide to English grammar, designed to help learners, especially those whose home language is not English, achieve proficiency.By presenting grammatical concepts in a variety of real-world contexts, this book not only enhances language skills but also encourages self-reflection and personal growth. Each lesson equips learners with fundamental skills, including speaking, writing, listening, reading, and reasoning.Mastering English will be an essential key to unlocking opportunities in various lucrative professions worldwide.

Love Comes More Than Once

Grace Wallace found herself a single mother, left to raise two daughters on her own. She poured her energy into becoming an extraordinary jewelry designer and gemologist, sought after by royalty, celebrities, and wealthy patrons for her talents. When a famous fashion designer requests that Grace create some extraordinary jewelry pieces, she eagerly accepts, hungry for the next challenge. Her search for rare and fabulous gems to incorporate into her designs takes her deep into the mountains of Colombia, where she suddenly finds herself kidnapped. Her partner and benefactor Charles Winslow desperately seeks help from a friend to find Grace. What follows is a thrilling and perilous journey to locate Grace and uncover why she was taken. Through resourcefulness, courage, and the enduring power of human connection, Grace must fight to take back her freedom as those who care for her refuse to give up the search.