<![CDATA[This study aims to examine the influence of gender, academic achievement, and parents' socioeconomic status on the interest of Grade IX students in public junior high schools across Serang City to continue their education to Vocational High Schools (SMK). The research background is based on the phenomenon of declining student interest in pursuing SMK education and the importance of understanding the factors influencing it. This study uses a quantitative approach with an ex post facto method. The research population consists of all Grade IX students in public junior high schools across Serang City, with sampling conducted using purposive sampling techniques. Data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using multiple linear regression. The results show that, partially and simultaneously: (1) Gender has a significant influence on student interest at 1%, (2) Academic achievement has a significant influence on student interest at 12.9%, (3) Parents' socioeconomic status has a significant influence on student interest at 20.3%, (4) Gender and academic achievement together have a significant influence on student interest at 13%, (5) Gender and parents' socioeconomic status together have a significant influence on student interest at 21.1%, (6) Academic achievement and parents' socioeconomic status together have a significant influence on student interest at 31.2%, and (7) Gender, academic achievement, and parents' socioeconomic status collectively have a significant influence on student interest at 31.9% in continuing to SMK.]]>
