Introduction -- The power of evidence and girl's education -- "Especially girls" : never forgetting the boys -- Girls' education : progress and crisis -- A commitment to the evidence on what works -- Five compelling challenges -- The positive generation cycle of girls' education --The world's best investment : girls' education -- Increases economic growth -- Leads to better wages and jobs for women -- Saves the lives of children and mothers -- Leads to smaller and more sustainable families -- Results in healthier and better-educated children -- Reduces rates of HIV/AIDS and Malaria -- Reduces rates of child marriage -- Empowers women -- Increases women's political leadership -- Reduces harm to families from natural disasters and climate change -- Glass half full : there has been real progress, but a girls' education crisis remains -- The progress made -- The crisis remaining -- Six lenses for viewing the progress and crisis in girls' education -- Progress in girls' education to date -- What works : a catalogue of evidence on addressing girls' education needs -- Making schools affordable -- Addressing girl's health -- Reducing the time and distance to school -- Making schools girl-friendly -- Improving quality education -- Increasing community engagement -- Sustaining education during emergencies -- Five compelling challenges for the next decade -- A high-quality education : ensure that girls are truly learning both hard and soft skills -- Protecting education from attack : stopping the growing violence against girls -- Secondary education and adolescent girls -- Successful transitions : bridges from school to work -- Education that empowers girls to lead.