The truth is out: Girls are smarter than boys. At least that's what a new study released by Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development says (OECD).

"It just blows you away," Dr. Barry McGaw, the OECD's director for education, said. "Fifteen years ago, we were saying that girls don't stay in school and don't go on to post-secondary education. Look what they have done in 15 years."

In 42 countries female students are better readers than male students according to the 453-page report released last month. Girls also have higher expectations than boys do of someday holding good jobs.

"I will definitely concede that girls show more enthusiasm than boys across the board in many areas," senior Landon Roussel said.

In addition, female college graduates now outnumber males in most industrialized countries. The study's results support the recent U.S. reports showing strong educational strides by women.

"I think that in this day and age woman understand they have a place in the 'man's world,' pursuing business careers," Jeanne Murphree, scholarship and college guidance counselor, said. "Women can go into these professions and do just as well if not better than men and therefore start at a younger age."

For example 3 out of 5 members of high schools' National Honor Societies today are girls. Girls also outnumber boys 124 to 100 in advanced placement courses.

"Girls mature faster than boys in high school and that's probably why girls tend to be more involved in grades and extra curricular," senior Aerin Williams said. "After high school I think it levels out and boys perform equal to girls."

Girls tend to get better grades based on a survey conducted on the SAT by the Princeton Review in 2000. It found that 44 percent of the young women reported A averages, while only 33 percent of young men did.

"Girls possess better study skills and are okay with good grades.”