Treffer: Programming Ability of Students with High School and Vocational School Education Background: A Study on the Informatics and Computer Engineering Education Program at Universitas Negeri Makassar

This study aims to analyze the differences in programming language proficiency between high school (SMA) and vocational school (SMK) graduates in the Informatics and Computer Engineering Education (PTIK) program at Universitas Negeri Makassar. Using a descriptive quantitative approach with an ex post facto design, the study assesses five indicators: syntax understanding, algorithm implementation, debugging skills, problem-solving, and code efficiency. The sample consisted of 88 PTIK students from the 2022 and 2023 cohorts, selected through proportionate stratified random sampling. The results show that overall, SMK graduates demonstrate higher programming proficiency than their SMA counterparts. However, an interesting finding emerged in the code efficiency indicator—SMA students from the 2023 cohort performed better, with an average score of 1.9 compared to 1.5 for SMK students. This difference is presumed to be influenced by the stronger focus on mathematical logic and theoretical approaches in the SMA curriculum, while SMK students excel in practical aspects due to a practice-oriented curriculum.