U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has announce a significant initiative to improve science and mathematics skills among New York students and students throughout the country.

Unveiling what she calls her "innovation education agenda," Gillibrand said measures like hers could "help restore America’s competitiveness in the high-tech global economy."

Analysis of New York State's four math regents and four science regents from 2010 indicate that on average more than one-quarter of New York students tested poorly in math and science.

In the North Country, 24 percent of high school students score unsatisfactory in math and 16 percent score unsatisfactory in science, about average for students in the state.

To boost science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education programs in America’s elementary, middle and high schools, Gillibrand is introducing the Engineering Education for Innovation Act (E2 for Innovation Act), a targeted effort to increase the number of students who choose science and engineering as a career, and to maintain America’s competitiveness in the world economy.

The legislation is a three-year program that would award grants through the Secretary of Education in consultation with the Director of the National Science Foundation to plan and implement engineering education into K-12 instruction and cirriculum. It would also provide funding for one year to the Institute of Education Sciences for research and evaluation grants to assess the effectiveness of the funds used for planning and implementation.

The plan is to integrate engineering education into K-12 classrooms by designing challenging content and curriculum frameworks and assessments that include engineering.

It is also aimed at an increase in engineering and technology teacher preparation programs and recruiting qualified teachers to provide engineering education in high-need schools.

It would also provide for investment in afterschool engineering education programs, and would promote partnerships among K-12 school administrators and teachers, and engineering member bodies and engineering professionals.