U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer presented legislation that would assist schools in recruiting and retaining qualified math and science teachers.

“Math for America” is part of the America Competes Act that the Senate was expected to vote on this week.

The America Competes Act provides federal funding to enhance research in advanced and experimental research and creates educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math.

Cayuga County had 4,100 manufacturing jobs in February 2000. This year, the county offers 3,400, according to Schumer's analysis. The downward trend is similar in other central New York counties.

The number of highly technical jobs will increase in the coming years, Schumer predicted. He said he hopes this measure will help prepare students after they graduate and begin their careers.

“The bottom line is our tech boom could be on the verge of bust. The number of high-tech jobs in upstate New York is going way up, but if we don't act fast, we won't have the well-trained workers needed to fill those jobs,” Schumer said in a press release.

The legislation would create two programs, the National Science Foundation Teaching Fellows and the National Science Foundation Masters Teaching Fellows Program.

Selected instructors can receive a scholarship to attain a master's degree and then get a bonus if they commit to teach for four years at a high-need school. Teachers already employed can receive bonus payments by becoming leaders in their schools.