Lawrence Woodmere Academy in Woodmere

Governor Andrew Cuomo extended the “pause order” for New York State until April 29 and the New York State Education Department announced that Regents Exams are canceled for the 2019-2020 school year.

The limited shutdown — which began March 22 and requires all non-essential workers to stay at home — will remain in effect, and includes schools statewide, Cuomo said during his daily briefing from Albany.

“I know what it does to the economy, but as I said from day one, I am not going to choose between public health and economic activity,” Cuomo said.

Cuomo reported 599 people died between Sunday and Monday, bringing the state’s total death toll to 4,758. New York now has at least 130,689 confirmed cases of COVID-19, Cuomo said.

The decision regarding Regents Exams was part of a packed agenda for the state education department regarding requirements for state aid, grade promotion, special education mandates, certification and other issues if the schools do not meet for the minimum 180 days.

The New York State Education Department issued a press release Monday that they will amend the Commissioner’s regulations to provide that an alternative form of evaluation for students receiving home instruction, in lieu of an annual assessment, will be permitted for all grades in the 2019-20 school year due to the State of Emergency declared by the Governor.”

The department of education said it would clarify the order tomorrow.

“There is no doubt that the New York state board of regents had to grapple with the difficult situation we all face,” said Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman, Rosh Mesivta of Rambam Mesivta in Lawrence. He added that the state was in a difficult position balancing the limitations of distance instruction and the responsibilities of “maintaining educational standards and integrity for high school students.”
“I truly believe they reached a decision that they thought was in the best interest of New York State students.”

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