Get Those Girls in School.

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What single strategy for developing countries will boost economic growth, improve health, and reduce child exploitation? Educating girls, says UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, in its annual State of the World's Children report.

More than 120 million children of primary school age are not in class, and most of them--65 million--are girls, says UNICEF. When girls go to school, everyone benefits because educated girls can better avoid exploitation and build healthy families, according to the report.

And it's in America's self-interest to promote girls' education worldwide, says Jill Christianson of NEA International Relations, because well-educated girls make the world a safer place for all of us.

"Education provides economic opportunities and lessens the desperation that leads to terrorism," says Christianson. "And the education of girls is the key element for economic development."

Although the ratio of girls to boys in school has improved dramatically, it will take a lot more work to get all primary-age children in school. So Education International, the global federation of educators' unions of which NEA is a member, is organizing Global Action Week for Education, April 19-25, to promote reaching this international goal by 2015. Educators can support the effort with activities and lesson plans available at www.campaignforeducation.org.

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