homework policy det

School operations

The purpose of this policy is to ensure all schools work with their school communities to develop and communicate a considered homework policy.

• Victorian government schools are required to have a homework policy and communicate it to staff, parents/carers and students.
• The content of this policy is not prescribed, but should be evidence-informed and comprehensive, and must be developed in consultation with the school community.
• School council approval of a school’s homework policy is not required.
• A homework policy template is available on the School Policy Templates Portal External Link (staff login required); schools are encouraged to adapt this template to suit their needs.

Victorian government schools are required to have a homework policy.

The content of this policy is not prescribed by the Department, but should be evidence-informed and comprehensive, outlining:

• a rationale for the elements of the school’s policy
• the responsibilities and expectations of teachers, students and parents/carers in setting, completing, monitoring and responding to homework

The school’s homework policy must be developed in consultation with the school council, as representatives of the school community, and school staff and students. School council approval of a school’s homework policy is not required.

Victorian government schools must periodically communicate their homework policy to staff, parents, carers and students through available communication channels (such as the school newsletter, or by placing the policy on the school’s website).

The setting of homework can be seen as one way of:

• complementing and reinforcing classroom learning
• fostering good lifelong learning and study habits
• developing self-regulation processes such as goal-setting, self-efficacy, self-reflection and time management
• supporting partnerships with parents/carers by connecting families with the learning of their children

The effectiveness of homework can be enhanced when:

• it is set at an appropriate level for each student, supporting those who are experiencing difficulty and extending those of high-ability
• it is related to essential learning at school
• choice in tasks is provided
• it is assessed by teachers, either formally or informally, with feedback provided
• it supports students to have a balance of school-related and non-school related activity in their lives (i.e. where the amount of homework set provides sufficient additional time for students to engage with family, sport and recreation, cultural pursuits and employment, where appropriate)

Definitions

Homework Tasks assigned to students by school teachers that are meant to be carried out during non-school hours.

Reviewed 11 January 2024

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Policy last updated

15 June 2020

Teacher Professional Practice Unit

Creating a Homework Policy With Meaning and Purpose

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We have all had time-consuming, monotonous, meaningless homework assigned to us at some point in our life. These assignments often lead to frustration and boredom and students learn virtually nothing from them. Teachers and schools must reevaluate how and why they assign homework to their students. Any assigned homework should have a purpose.

Assigning homework with a purpose means that through completing the assignment, the student will be able to obtain new knowledge, a new skill, or have a new experience that they may not otherwise have. Homework should not consist of a rudimentary task that is being assigned simply for the sake of assigning something. Homework should be meaningful. It should be viewed as an opportunity to allow students to make real-life connections to the content that they are learning in the classroom. It should be given only as an opportunity to help increase their content knowledge in an area.

Differentiate Learning for All Students

Furthermore, teachers can utilize homework as an opportunity to differentiate learning for all students. Homework should rarely be given with a blanket "one size fits all" approach. Homework provides teachers with a significant opportunity to meet each student where they are and truly extend learning. A teacher can give their higher-level students more challenging assignments while also filling gaps for those students who may have fallen behind. Teachers who use homework as an opportunity to differentiate we not only see increased growth in their students, but they will also find they have more time in class to dedicate to whole group instruction .

See Student Participation Increase

Creating authentic and differentiated homework assignments can take more time for teachers to put together. As often is the case, extra effort is rewarded. Teachers who assign meaningful, differentiated, connected homework assignments not only see student participation increase, they also see an increase in student engagement. These rewards are worth the extra investment in time needed to construct these types of assignments.

Schools must recognize the value in this approach. They should provide their teachers with professional development that gives them the tools to be successful in transitioning to assign homework that is differentiated with meaning and purpose. A school's homework policy should reflect this philosophy; ultimately guiding teachers to give their students reasonable, meaningful, purposeful homework assignments.

Sample School Homework Policy

Homework is defined as the time students spend outside the classroom in assigned learning activities. Anywhere Schools believes the purpose of homework should be to practice, reinforce, or apply acquired skills and knowledge. We also believe as research supports that moderate assignments completed and done well are more effective than lengthy or difficult ones done poorly.

Homework serves to develop regular study skills and the ability to complete assignments independently. Anywhere Schools further believes completing homework is the responsibility of the student, and as students mature they are more able to work independently. Therefore, parents play a supportive role in monitoring completion of assignments, encouraging students’ efforts and providing a conducive environment for learning.

Individualized Instruction

Homework is an opportunity for teachers to provide individualized instruction geared specifically to an individual student. Anywhere Schools embraces the idea that each student is different and as such, each student has their own individual needs. We see homework as an opportunity to tailor lessons specifically for an individual student meeting them where they are and bringing them to where we want them to be. 

Homework contributes toward building responsibility, self-discipline, and lifelong learning habits. It is the intention of the Anywhere School staff to assign relevant, challenging, meaningful, and purposeful homework assignments that reinforce classroom learning objectives. Homework should provide students with the opportunity to apply and extend the information they have learned complete unfinished class assignments, and develop independence.

The actual time required to complete assignments will vary with each student’s study habits, academic skills, and selected course load. If your child is spending an inordinate amount of time doing homework, you should contact your child’s teachers.

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Growing In Knowledge

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Although there is little consensus in literature as to whether homework raises student achievement there is some evidence that schools who do homework tend to be more successful. Staff at Berry Public School strongly believe homework has a positive impact on our cohort of students and their learning. Staff have found that homework has assisted in consolidating new skills, increase confidence and fluency in Reading, helped students develop self-motivating work patterns and routine, and has shown improvement in Mathematics and Spelling. The majority of the Berry Public School parent/carers and students either strongly agree or agree that they understand the benefits of homework.

Homework strengthens home and school links. It should be seen by teachers, students and parent/carers as a vital part of the home-school partnership and as an opportunity for parents to see how their child is progressing in their learning. Homework should also be achievable and relevant for the students. At Berry Public School most parents believe the amount of homework their child currently receives is ‘just the right amount’. 

Policy statement

The NSW Department of Education and Communities Homework Guidelines state that homework should be relevant to the needs of students, developed in consultations with key community stakeholders including parents/carers, students and teachers and communicated to all.

The aim of this policy is ensure that the expectations of homework at Berry Public School are effectively communicated and that there are clear roles and responsibilities of the students, teachers and parents/carers.

Implementation

What constitutes are homework at Berry Public School:

Homework may include spelling, reading, or Mathematics practice and consolidation or projects based on topics being studied in class.

School Executive Responsibilities:

·         Ensure homework policy is communicated at time of student enrolment

·         Ensure homework is consistent across each stage and age appropriate

Teacher Responsibilities:

·         Inform parents/carers at the beginning of the year at the parent information night about the homework expectations and requirements including routines of when homework may be set and due and how parents and student can access assistance if needed

·         Send home a note (attachment A) at the beginning of the year outlining homework requirements and giving parents the option to support homework or opt out

·         Set homework that is relevant to students’ level of understanding, age and what they are currently learning about and in line with what the Stage has decided

·         Keep records of homework completion.

·         NOTE: it is not a requirement of a teacher to set work for a student who is on leave.

Parent/Carer Responsibilities:

·         Take an active interest in their child’s/children’s homework

·         Support their child in completing their homework

·         Assist teachers in monitoring homework and contact the class teacher if they believe their child is finding the homework unachievable or if they have concerns about their child’s approach to homework.

·         Encourage their child to organise their homework time to ensure quality homework is achieved within given time frames

·         Sign letter outlining homework expectations at the beginning of each school year to support homework or opt out.

·         Take responsibility for setting and providing additional homework for their child.

Student Responsibilities:

·         Listen to class teacher when homework is explained and ask if they are unsure of any expectations

·         Keep homework materials organised and return homework/readers on time

·         Complete homework within the set timeframe

·         Take responsibility for their homework, supported by their parents and caregivers

·         Seek assistance from class teacher when difficulties arise before the homework is due

Monitoring, evaluation and review

·         The homework policy will be in place from 2020 at Berry Public School.

·         School executive will be responsible for monitoring the policy execution.  

·         The homework policy will be reviewed and evaluated in 2025.

Key Documents

·         NSW Public Schools Homework Policy: Guidelines (NSW Department of Education and Communities, 2012)

·         Berry Public School Presentation PowerPoint from parent survey, staff survey and student survey results 2019 (server)

·         Homework: Primary (Evidence for Learning, 2019)

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Getting students to work on their homework assignments is not always a simple task. Teachers need to take the initiative to create homework policies that encourage students to work hard to improve their achievement in the classroom setting. Educational leadership starts with making a policy that helps students learn and achieve while competing with extracurricular activities and the interests of students.

Set high standards

Homework policies need to have high standards to encourage students to work hard on achieving the best possible results. Student achievement in school improves when teachers set high standards and tell students that they are expected to meet the standards set in the classroom.

By setting high standards for the homework policy, teachers are ensuring that the students will be more willing to work on getting assignments done. The policies for homework that teachers and parents create can help improve student understanding of materials and result in better grades and scores on standardized tests.

Focus on study skills

Teaching students in their early education is a complicated task. Teachers need to balance the age of the students with the expected school, state and federal educational standards. Although the temptation to create a homework policy that focuses on repetition and traditional assignments can make the policy easy to create, it also removes the focus from establishing strong study skills and habits to engage students in education.

Creating a homework policy for younger students in the elementary grades should avoid traditional assignments and focus on building study skills and encouraging learning. Older students after elementary school are ready to take on written assignments rather than using technology and other tools.

Putting more focus on study skills will set a stronger foundation for homework in the future. As students get into higher grades, the type of assignments will focus on writing with a pen or pencil. The age of the student must be considered and the goal is to create a strong foundation for the future.

Involve the parents

Getting parents involved in the homework policy will encourage students to study and complete the assigned tasks. Asking parents to get involved to facilitate assignments will ensure students are learning without the parents completing the assignment for their child.

The goal of involving the parents in the homework policy is getting the family to take an interest in ensuring the assignments are completed. The best assignments will allow the student to manage the work without seeking answers from a parent. That allows parents to supervise and encourage their child without giving the answers.

Give consequences for incomplete assignments

Homework is an important part of providing educational leadership in the classroom. Although parental involvement and high standards can help encourage students to study, it is also important to clearly state the consequences if assignments are incomplete or not turned in on time.

A clear homework policy will lay out the possible consequences of avoiding assignments or turning in incomplete work. Consequences can vary based on the student grade level and age, but can include lowering the grades on a report card or taking away classroom privileges.

Although it is important to provide details about the consequences of avoiding the assignments, teachers can also use a reward system to motivate students to complete their work. Rewards can focus on the entire class or on individual rewards, depending on the situation. For example, teachers can give a small candy when students complete five assignments in a row.

Consequences and rewards can serve as a motivating factor when it comes to the homework policy. By clearly stating the potential downsides and the benefits to the student, it is easier for students to focus on the work.

Creating homework policies is part of educational leadership in the classroom. Although homework must focus on helping students achieve, it also needs to clearly state the expectations and give details about the benefits and consequences of different actions. By giving a clear policy from the first day of school, the students will know what to expect and can gain motivation to work on achieving the best results.

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How to Write the Perfect Homework Policy

Author: Naimish Gohil

Posted: 10 May 2017

Estimated time to read: 4 mins

Homework is an integral part to the learning process and as such, each school should have a clear homework policy readily available to teachers, students and parents that sets out your expectations when it comes to home-learning .

A clear and effective homework policy will mean that quality and quantity of homework can be easily tracked and all stakeholders are on the same page. We've created our own Homework Policy that you can adapt for use in your school or use as an outline when creating your own policy:

1‭. ‬Introduction

This is the school’s policy for the provision of homework to pupils and has been drawn up in accordance with guidance from the DFE and Sutton Education Trust‭.‬ It must be recognised that parents play a vital role in the education of their child‭, ‬therefore it is important and valuable to‭ ‬have a good home-school partnership‭, ‬of which a homework policy must address‭.‬

2‭. ‬Homework‭ - ‬A definition

Homework is defined as any work or activity that students are asked to undertake outside of lesson time‭, ‬either on their own or‭ ‬with the aid of parents and carers‭. ‬Homework doesn’t necessarily have to be completed at home but can be completed in free periods and after-school homework clubs‭. ‬We see work completed outside of lesson time as a valuable part of a student’s learning‭.‬

3‭. ‬The purpose of homework‭ ‬

The school regards the purpose of homework as being to‭:‬

• ‭ Provide learners with the opportunity to work on an activity that is relevant to learning outcomes‭, ‬or that contributes to gaining qualifications/accreditations‭.‬
• Develop an effective partnership between the school‭, ‬parents and carers in pursuing the academic aims of the school and the development of their child‭.‬
• Consolidate and reinforce skills and understanding prior to the following lesson‭, ‬particularly in English and Mathematics‭.‬
• Extend learning across the curriculum‭, ‬for example through additional reading‭.‬
• Encourage pupils as they get older to develop the confidence‭, ‬self-discipline and independence to develop organisational skills‭.‬

As a school‭, ‬we encourage children to pursue out-of-school activities‭. ‬Homework should be used to effectively reinforce and/or extend what is learned in school‭. ‬We hope that children will feel a sense of personal satisfaction in a task completed well and that their efforts will be recognised and praised both at home and at school‭. ‬

Homework tasks should be undertaken to the best of‭ ‬their ability‭. ‬We hope that parents and carers will be willing and able to give their active support to ensure that work completed at home is done so conscientiously and in the best possible conditions‭.‬

4‭. ‬Current practice‭ ‬

At the beginning of the academic year‭, ‬each year group will be informed about what is expected of them with regards to homework‭.‬

5‭. ‬Time to be spent completing homework

Based on current good practice‭, ‬we ask pupils to spend the following amount of time on homework‭:‬

Years 7‭ ‬to 9‭:                   ‬1‭ - ‬2‭ ‬hours per day

Years 10‭ ‬&‭ ‬11‭:                ‬1‭ - ‬3‭ ‬hours per day‭ ‬

Pupils may be expected to undertake a variety of homework activities‭. ‬These activities will differ depending on the teacher and‭ ‬subject‭. ‬Examples include‭: ‬Reading tasks‭, ‬numeracy tests‭, ‬spelling tests‭, ‬quizzes‭, ‬project work‭, ‬classwork extensions‭, ‬coursework‭, ‬essays and research activities‭.‬ As a general rule‭, ‬teachers will not usually set substantial homework tasks to be completed for the next day‭, ‬pupils will have at least two days to complete any work set‭.‬

6‭. ‬Pupil feedback

The school recognises the importance of providing prompt and actionable feedback to pupils‭, ‬parents and carers‭. ‬Feedback will include how well homework tasks have been tackled‭, ‬and the knowledge‭, ‬skills and understanding developed‭.

‬A variety of methods will be used to provide feedback‭, ‬such as an appropriate comment of praise‭, ‬appreciation or area for improvement‭. ‬Any given feedback will vary according to the age of the pupil‭.‬

7‭. ‬Where to access the school homework policy

The school will use newsletters to inform parents and carers about the school’s homework policy and secure their involvement‭. ‬The homework policy‭, ‬as well as useful information for parents in supporting their child’s learning‭, ‬is displayed on the school website‭. ‬

Parents’‭ ‬Evenings and New Intake Evenings will be used to promote this partnership and obtain feedback‭ (‬e.g‭. ‬English and Mathematics workshops‭). ‬Homework questionnaires will be used where appropriate to ascertain parent views‭. ‬Parents will be consulted about any significant changes to the policy that are being considered by the governing body‭.‬

8‭. ‬Reviewing the policy

The homework policy will be reviewed every year‭. ‬Where significant changes to the policy are felt to be required‭, ‬proposals will‭ ‬be presented to the governing body and parents consulted‭.‬

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Homework policy: examples.

See examples of homework policies from primary, secondary and special schools to help you write your own. Also, adapt our sample clause for handling the impact of AI tools on homework.

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Secondary school, special school.

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Shadwell Primary School in Leeds has a homework policy that covers:

• When pupils take books home for reading
• How long they should spend reading at home
• English and maths homework
• Spelling and times tables expectations
• Additional half-termly homework tasks, such as a learning log and key instant recall facts
• Instances when pupils may receive additional homework
• How homework will be recorded
• Rewards and sanctions

Chelmsford County High School for Girls in Essex has a school-wide homework policy setting out:

• The importance of homework
• Types of homework that could be set
• How much time different year groups should spend on homework

How homework may differ in form, expectations and outcomes How long the school recommends pupils spend on homework The roles of the class teacher, leadership team and governing board, and parents and carers The homework that different Key Stages and learners will get Marking, feedback and pupil

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The power of a good homework policy

Published 18th March 2019 by Frog Education

With the homework debate continuing to rage and be fuelled by all parties involved, could publishing a robust homework policy help take some of the headache out of home learning?

What is a homework policy.

The idea of a homework policy is for the school to officially document and communicate their process for homework. The policy should outline what is expected of teachers when setting homework and from students in completing home learning tasks. It is a constructive document through which the school can communicate to parents, teachers, governors and students the learning objectives for homework.

Do schools have to have a homework policy?

It is a common misconception that schools are required by the government to set homework. Historically the government provided guidelines on the amount of time students should spend on home learning. This was withdrawn in 2012 and autonomy was handed to headteachers and school leaders to determine what and how much homework is set. Therefore, schools are not required by Ofsted or the DfE to have a homework policy in place.

The removal of official guidelines, however, does not give pupils the freedom to decide if they complete homework or not. Damian Hinds , Education Secretary, clarified that although schools are not obliged to set homework, when they do, children need to complete it in line with their school’s homework policy; “we trust individual school head teachers to decide what their policy on homework will be, and what happens if pupils don’t do what’s set.”

The majority of primary and secondary schools do set homework. Regardless of the different views on the topic, the schools that do incorporate homework into their learning processes, must see value in it.

Clearly communicating that value will demonstrate clarity and create alliance for everyone involved – both in and outside of school. This is where the publication of a good homework policy can help. 5 Benefits of publishing a good homework policy

#1 Manages students' workload

Studies have shown a correlation between student anxiety and demanding amounts of homework. One study found that in more affluent areas, school children are spending three hours per evening on homework. This is excessive. Secondary school students’ study between eight and ten subjects, which means they will have day-to-day contact with a number of teachers. If there is no clear homework policy to provide a guide, it would be feasible for an excessive amount of homework to be set.

A homework policy that sets out the expected amount of time students should spend on homework will help prevent an overload. This makes it more realistic for children to complete homework tasks and minimise the detrimental effect it could have on family time, out-of-school activities or students’ overall health and well-being.

#2 Creates opportunity for feedback and review

The simple act of having an official document in place will instigate opportunities for regular reviews. We often consider the impact of homework on students but teachers are also working out-of-hours and often work overtime . One reason is the need to set quality homework tasks, mark them and provide valuable feedback. No-one, therefore, wants home learning to become about setting homework for homework’s sake.

A regular review of the policy will invite feedback which the school can use to make appropriate changes and ensure the policy is working for both teachers and students, and serves the school’s homework learning objectives.

#3 Connects parents with education

Parents’ engagement in children’s education has a beneficial impact on a child’s success in school. Homework provides a great way for parents to become involved and have visibility of learning topics, offer support where needed and understand their child’s progress.

A good homework policy creates transparency for parents. It helps them to understand the value the school places on homework and what the learning objectives are. If parents understand this, it will help set a foundation for them to be engaged in their child’s education.

#4 Gives students a routine and creates good habits

Whether children are going into the workplace or furthering their education at university, many aspects of a student’s future life will require, at times, work to be completed outside of traditional 9-5 hours as well as independently. This is expected at university (students do not research and write essays in the lecture theatre or their seminars) and will perhaps become more important in the future workplace with the growth of the gig economy (freelancing) and the rise of remote working .

A homework policy encourages a consistency for out-of-school learning and helps students develop productive working practices and habits for continued learning and independent working.

#5 Helps students retain information they have learned

A carefully considered and well-constructed home learning policy will help teachers set homework that is most effective for reinforcing what has been taught.

A good homework policy will indicate how to set productive homework tasks and should limit the risk of less effective homework being set, such as just finishing-off work from a lesson and repetition or memorisation tasks. What makes a good homework policy?

A good homework policy will determine how much homework is appropriate and what type is most effective for achieving a school’s learning objectives. Publishing the homework policy – although it might not unify everyone’s views on the matter – fosters good communication across the school, sets out expectations for teachers and pupils, and makes that significant connection between parents and their children’s education. But most importantly, if the policy is regularly reviewed and evaluated, it can ensure home learning remains beneficial to pupils’ progress, is of value to teachers and, ultimately, is worth the time and effort that everyone puts into it.

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Readout of President Joe   Biden’s Call with Prime Minister Netanyahu of   Israel

President Biden spoke by telephone with Prime Minister Netanyahu. The two leaders discussed the situation in Gaza. President Biden emphasized that the strikes on humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable. He made clear the need for Israel to announce and implement a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers. He made clear that U.S. policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel’s immediate action on these steps. He underscored that an immediate ceasefire is essential to stabilize and improve the humanitarian situation and protect innocent civilians, and he urged the Prime Minister to empower his negotiators to conclude a deal without delay to bring the hostages home. The two leaders also discussed public Iranian threats against Israel and the Israeli people. President Biden made clear that the United States strongly supports Israel in the face of those threats.

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Bodycam footage shows Akron police shooting of teen determined to be holding a fake gun

The officer was fired for policy violations but later rehired, records show.

Body camera footage released by the City of Akron on Monday shows the April 1 shooting of teenager Tavion Koonce-Williams, who was shot in the hand after a 911 caller reported him to police for holding what was later determined to be a toy gun.

Video shows that the teen, who was not named by police but was later identified by the family attorney, 15-year-old Koonce-Williams, was shot in the hand by an Akron Police Department (APD) officer after a 911 caller, who was walking her dog in the area, reported to police that Koonce-Williams was pointing a gun at people's homes.

Video shows the officer arriving on the scene and asking the teen to put his hands behind his back before firing a single shot that injured the teen's hand as he exited his vehicle. The teen can be seen with his hands up in the air amid the shooting, repeatedly screaming, "it's fake, it's fake, it's fake," regarding the gun, as the officer exits his vehicle.

Attorney Imokhai Okolo, who represents the teen and his family, released a statement on Monday, saying that the family of the East High School student is "heartbroken" and is seeking justice.

"[He] is now grappling with the trauma of being profiled and having his life flash before his eyes after being shot," Okolo said. "Tavion was shot on the inside of his wrist which clearly indicates his hands were up when he was shot."

A Detroit-area officer who assaulted a Black man after an arrest pleads guilty

The officer was identified by the city of Akron on Monday as Ryan Westlake, a nine-year veteran of the department and who has been placed on paid administrative leave amid the investigation.

The city also released Westlake's personnel file, showing that he was initially fired from APD in July 2021 due to various policy violations, but was then rehired following an agreement with the police union.

"The officer's file includes a number of disciplinary actions and use of force incidents, one of which has been deemed unreasonable. Additionally, the city anticipates having further information to release in the coming weeks," according to the statement released by the city on Monday.

The Akron Fraternal Order of Police (AFOP), the union representing Westlake, told Akron ABC affiliate WEWS that this "is an extremely difficult situation for everyone involved. There is always a concern each time an officer is faced with the incredibly challenging, split-second decision to defend himself and others against an armed suspect."

"We are confident when all the facts are released, our officer's actions will be deemed justified," the statement added.

ABC News reached out to the AFOP for further comment.

"The incident remains under investigation (BCI), and due to the independent investigation, we won't be committing further," a spokesman for the Akron Police Department told ABC News on Tuesday.

Akron Mayor Shammas Malik said in a statement on Monday that the city released the body camera footage and the officer's personnel file in an "effort to be as transparent as possible."

"We will continue to be transparent and communicative as the process unfolds," he added.

Pre-med student stabbed mother on visit home from college, charged with murder, sheriff says

What the video shows

The shooting took place at around 7:04 p.m. on April 1st after a 911 call, which was also released by police on Monday, reporting a male in the area of Newton Street and Tonawanda Avenue allegedly pointing a gun at surrounding houses, according to police.

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"I was calling because I'm walking my dog and there is a guy walking down the street and he was aiming a gun at people's houses. He pulled it out and was acting like he was going to shoot their houses," the caller said in the audio of the 911 call.

Asked if the male was "white or Black," the caller said, "Black male, shorter dreads, he has a black hoodie on and it has like Adidas or something written on the back and the gun was like a little bit bigger than a pistol."

A responding officer approached "the subject matching the colors description" at approximately 7:11 p.m. local time while he was walking on Britton Road, near the corner of Ottawa Avenue, according to police.

"The officer stopped his marked police car to investigate. As the officer began to exit his patrol car. He quickly issued a verbal command for the male to show his hands," police said in a statement, accompanying the release of the body camera footage. "Seconds later, the officer discharged his firearm one time striking the male in the hand after observing the subject with what appeared to be a gun in his hand."

"Shots fired, drop to the ground!" the officer said, repeatedly screaming to the officer that the gun is "fake," Koonce-Williams dropped to the ground, footage shows.

Video shows the teen crying in pain throughout the incident as officers place him in handcuffs while he is on the ground. He tells police that he was on his way home from his cousin's funeral and says that his grandmother lives down the street.

"I can't feel my hand," he cries.

"I'm a good kid, I get A's in school, I play football," he tells officers as they render first aid.

Koonce-Williams was transported to an area hospital where he "underwent treatment for a non life threatening injury," police said.

"Tavion now finds himself in the lineage of Black youth being profiled and shot by the Akron Police Department with absolutely no justification or regard for human life," Okolo said.

Okolo claimed that the city is considering charges against the teen following the incident. Asked if charges could be filed against the teen, a spokesperson for the city of Akron did not immediately respond to ABC News' inquiry.

According to APD, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) will investigate this case and once it's complete, the findings will be turned over to the Ohio Attorney General's Office for review.

A BCI spokesperson confirmed to ABC News on Monday that their "investigation is active and ongoing."

The spokesperson added that "findings will be referred to the county prosecutor for their review."

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Detroit Tigers Opening Day 2024 is here! Here's everything you need to know.

We made it to April 5, which is Detroit Tigers Opening Day 2024!

The Detroit Tigers take on the Oakland Athletics at 1:05 p.m. in their home opener today. And they return home to Comerica Park after one heck of an opening week, one in which they swept the White Sox in Chicago and took 2 of 3 against the Mets in New York. They entered Thursday the last remaining undefeated team in all of Major League Baseball, but 5-1 is not too shabby, either.

That start's only going to amp up the hype and celebration today.

While Opening Day in Detroit is a time-honored tradition, there are a few new wrinkles you can expect downtown and at the ballpark this season. For one, there's a giant new videoboard at the park. There's also new food from select local restaurants. And, of course, there's a new team, with new and old faces alike .

Here's everything to know for Opening Day at Comerica Park, including  game day information , parking, travel, weather, restrictions, things to do and more.

If you go: Opening Day 2024 in Detroit

• The game: Detroit Tigers vs. Oakland Athletics, 1:10 p.m. at Comerica Park.
• Doors open: Comerica Park gates will open at 10:30 a.m.
• TV and radio:   Bally Sports, Fubo, ESPN+, WXYT-FM (97.1; other radio affiliates).
• Starting pitchers: Athletics left-handed pitcher JP Sears (0-1, 12.27 ERA) vs. Detroit Tigers LHP Tarik Skubal (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
• National Anthem singer: Grace West, Canton native and "The Voice" finalist .
• Ceremonial first pitch: Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell

Opening Day weather forecast

Bundle up! AccuWeather projects a mostly cloudy and chilly day in Detroit on Friday with a potential morning rain or snow shower, and a high of 45 degrees.

Love the Tigers? Listen to our 'Days of Roar' podcast!

Detroit Tigers Opening Day tickets

Tickets for the Tigers-Athletics game are sold out on mlb.tickets.com .

But don't worry; there are other ways to get to the game. On the secondary market, vendors including Ticketmaster, StubHub, SeatGeek, and Vivid Seats have plenty of tickets available, with some costing as little as $55 a pop before fees, and some as much as $1,000. Here's where to look:

• Vivid Seats
• Ticketmaster

For Subscribers: Detroit Tigers vow a fast start to season in 4th year under A.J. Hinch: 'We've done our work'

Arrive in Detroit early, leave late

The morning at Comerica Park will include live music, photo opportunities and a 50/50 raffle. All ticketed fans will be invited to participate in the Miller Lite Home Run Happy Hour at 11:30 a.m., where select concessions will be $5.

The inaugural Tigers players' introduction will start by 12:35 p.m.

Make it a doubleheader: After the Tigers game, you can head over to Little Ceasers Arena for the Detroit Red Wings-New York Rangers game. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a puck drop at 7 p.m. The first 7,500 fans will receive a co-branded Red Wings/Tigers hat.

Downtown Detroit parking and transportation

As we say every year, if you plan to come to Detroit Tigers Opening Day, get to downtown early. There are numerous parking lots around the District Detroit and downtown areas that serve spots on a first-come, first-serve basis. See the Comerica Park parking sit e for more information.

Reserve your spot: The Tigers' parking partner, ParkWhiz, allows for early parking registration and provides a map with surrounding parking lot prices, which range from $20-$65.

Other transportation options: Detroit also offers transporation to the ballpark via the QLINE, bus, taxi and the People Mover. Here's more information .

Detroit road closures, traffic

Navigating downtown Detroit is going to be a little trickier than usual with the 2024 NFL draft road closures having gone into effect.

Stay clear of the flowing roads, which will be closed: Randolph Street between Macomb and Fort; Farmer Street; Monroe Street; Bates Street; Cadillac Square westbound.

Comerica Park policies to know

• Bag policy:  With exceptions for diaper and medical bags, Comerica Park prohibits visitors from bringing bags, purses and clutches into the park. Each attendee may bring a single-compartment wallet no larger than 5 inches-by-7 inches-by-1½ inches.
• No coolers or outside food/drink:  The park prohibits guests from bringing coolers as well as outside food or drinks, with the exception of one factory-sealed water bottle per person, and sealed drink boxes for children.
• Cashless payment only:  Comerica Park is a cashless venue, meaning food, drinks, merchandise and other on-site amenities can only be purchased with a credit or debit card. For those who arrive without cashless payment methods, Comerica park has installed three Cash2Card kiosks, which instantly transfer cash currency onto a temporary Visa card. The kiosks are located in concourse sections 121, 138 and 328.

Here is  a list of permitted items  inside Comerica Park.

What's new at Comerica Park

A brand new videoboard: Comerica Park's new state-of-the-art videoboard , measuring 15,688 square feet, is the second-largest videoboard in baseball, according to MLB. The Tigers also installed sound upgrades and new HD television throughout the park.

A new sensory room: Comerica Park has a new sensory room, decorated in Tigers' colors and equipped with bubble walls, bean-bag chairs and sensory toys. The rooms, built in partnership with Detroit Tigers' and Detroit Red Wings' foundations, will be perfect for families with children with sensory-processing needs , who may otherwise feel overwhelmed by the idea of an outing to a baseball game.

New OPENGATE metal detectors: They don't require emptying pockets, though small bags will still be checked, and are expected to speed up the entry process.

Theme nights planned: Throughout the season, a series of new theme nights were added: Healthcare Appreciation (April 11 and 12), Pickleball Day (May 15), Margaritaville Night (June 21), Firefighter vs. Law Enforcement Night (July 10), Christmas in July (July 11) and 80s Night (Aug. 30). The full list of theme nights can be found here .

New authenticated items found near Sections 133 and 134 include:

• Colt Keith autographed baseballs
• Parker Meadows autographed jerseys
• Kerry Carpenter autographed jerseys
• Matt Vierling autographed baseballs and jerseys
• 18-Inch game-used bases

New merchandise items , in partnership with Meijer, can be found in the newly renovated upper Pro Shop include:

• Commemorative 1984 line, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the World Series champions
• Jim Leyland Hall of Fame collection, including T-shirts, bats, pennants, magnets and pins
• New clubhouse hat collection, including New Era batting practice hat which pays tribute to Tigers legend Alan Trammell
• Onward reserve line, featuring polos, pullovers and quarter zips
• Margaritaville collaboration, including hoodies, T-shirts and camp shirts featuring several colors and patterns

What to eat at Comerica Park

New offerings at Comerica Park this year include partnerships with Slow's Bar BQ , Marrow and Detroit Water Factory . Executive chef of Delaware North Sportservices is incorporating a new housemade double smashburger to the menu that he says will delight fans.

Slows Bar BQ will offer a trio of burritos with choices of pulled chicken, Slows' famous pulled pork, and plant-based chorizo. Each has additions of refried beans, rice, cheese, cream and salsa verde or house salsa. If you’re unfamiliar with Marrow, it’s a restaurant in Detroit’s West Village that also operates as a butcher shop. Marrow specializes in sourcing from local, Michigan farms. 

Marrow will be at Corner Tap Room for the season offering its double-patty bacon burger. The burger mixes Marrow’s dry-aged beef and beef bacon, topped with American cheese, iceberg lettuce, and signature creamy “kerch” sauce.

Friday Nights at Comerica Park are Party At the Park, and April 5 will be sponsored by Casamigos: Ultra Premium Tequila and Mezcal. Specialty drinks include the Banana Republic, a combination of tequila, banana rum, lime juice, simple syrup and soda water. Oh, and don't risk leaving the game early or you'll miss the fireworks show!

Things to do around Detroit

This year's official Tigers Opening Day Tailgate Party will be held at Eastern Market; and is presented by Miller Lite and Bally Sports in Grand Circus Park and produced by the Downtown Detroit Partnership. The free, public event will include:

• Food trucks
• $7 16 oz. domestic beers
• Photo stations
• An autograph session with Tigers alumnus Dave Rozema

Tickets are $60 for a vehicle parking spot in Lot 6 and $240 for an RV or Bus spot in Lot 5, and prior registration is required for those looking to tailgate.

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Eastern Market at 2934 Russell Street. More information at www.mlb.com/tigers/tickets .

The Detroit Home Opener Festival presented by Budweiser dubs itself the city's largest opening day party. Tickets range from $25 for general admission, $40 for VIP access and $99 for entry to the Grand Slam Club Tent.

You also can use the map below to find bars and restaurants in downtown Detroit, within walking distance of the ballpark.

Are you a Tigers fan? Make sure you're subscribed to our  Tigers newsletter  and our brand new  "Days of Roar" podcast , hosted by beat writer Evan Petzold and baseball insider Mark Gorosh.

Lael Lockhart’s rotation reunion a move Tigers are savoring

A front office housed on the third floor at Comerica Park had been doing its homework.

The Tigers last May had data, and scouting notes, on Lael Lockhart.

The Dodgers, as is their habit, had surplus pitching inventory. The Tigers snagged Lockhart for “cash considerations.”

Friday night, amid some winter-grade chill at FNB Field in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Lockhart pitched an opening-game jewel for Double-A Erie: 4.1 innings, three hits, zero runs, two walks — and nine strikeouts, all from a 26-year-old, left-handed starter who Friday tossed 68 pitches, 48 of them on-target.

“He’s a pure pitcher,” Gabe Alvarez, Erie’s manager, said Sunday as he and the SeaWolves (2-0 following Saturday’s follow-up victory) headed into a series finale at Harrisburg.

“He commands both sides of the plate, and he was dominant on a freezing-cold night. There’s a reason he got the ball on Opening Night.

“He’s a guy you can give a game plan to and feel pretty confident of how good his command is.”

Lockhart (his first name is pronounced “Lyle”) is 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, and in 2021 was a ninth-round Dodgers pick from the University of Arkansas, the school to which he transferred after a Texas native had earlier played at the University of Houston.

His work in Friday evening’s tribute to the Arctic was fairly consistent with what he did last season at Erie following his Tigers’ rescue: 18 games (12 starts), 2.69 ERA, 73.2 innings, a miserly 54 hits, 32 walks, 89 strikeouts, a 1.17 WHIP, and a .205 opposing batting average.

“A great job by our development team and our pitching group, doing some things to make changes when he got here,” said Ryan Garko, the Tigers’ vice president of development.

“He wanted to be a starter, and he’s running with it. Performance-wise, we knew he had a really good slider when we got him. We wanted him to go back to being a starter, to use his change-up again and throw his fastball to different quadrants.

“We wanted to take a shot and add a good left-handed starter. That was our goal when we went out and got him.”

What the Tigers saw in Lockhart was a man who had more pitches than were being flashed in Tulsa’s bullpen. It was, in their view, a reason why Lockhart, after being moved from rotation work, had ballooned to an 11.40 ERA in eight games — outings so bad the Dodgers exiled him to their “development list” ahead of the Tigers popping by for a purchase.

As for Lockhart’s repertoire, it’s a picnic basket full of fare, minus a high-velocity fastball.

“It’s a riding fastball,” Garko said. “We’ve gotten him back to having some ride on that fastball, which still has an above-average profile, and which, with his good slider, gives him two main pitches.

“He’s got a change-up — a split change that’s his third pitch to right-handers. He throws strikes and executes his game plans. We’ll see. Probably Triple A for him (Lockhart made one solid spot-start game last season at Toledo) at some point. The hitters will let him know if he makes good adjustments.”

What stood out Friday, in Alvarez’s view, was that third pitch the Tigers believed would qualify Lockhart as a steady starter.

“He’s always had the split, and that pitch has really started to take off,” Alvarez said. “He was locating that really well.

“Fastball? He was 89, 90, 92, 93 — I think once the weather warms up, he’ll get it to pop a little higher. But he has very good command of it.

“The hitters swing at it like he’s throwing 100, and all because of his other pitches.”

Alvarez will take all the pitching he can get in 2024 — and so will the Tigers, who, it can safely be said, have at least a temporary glut of it at Toledo and Erie.

The SeaWolves followed up Lockhart’s artistry with a next-night dazzler from right-handed celeb Ty Madden, who merely pitched four innings of 12-up, 12-down mastery that saw him, in addition to allowing zero hits, walk none, and strike out five spanning 48 pitches, 32 of which were for strikes.

 “Pretty impressive,” Alvarez said of a billboard pitcher who was taken 32 nd overall in the 2021 MLB Draft. “He kind of had all his pitches going. The fastball was mid-90s — the last two nights have been freezing, so all the velos were down for both teams — but he was throwing some good curveballs and cutters.

“And his split just keeps getting better and better. I think he’ll use that split against both lefties and righties, and it’s going to be a heck of a pitch for him, once he gets pretty comfortable with it and can locate it. It could be really good.”

Alvarez has a bushel of high-caliber arms at Erie, including a pair of right-handed hotshots in Wilmer Flores and Jackson Jobe.

It’s all part of an organizational push to keep staffs fully loaded, particularly when the health news on pitchers in 2024, across all of baseball, has been bleak and loaded with early-season surgeries.

The Tigers like what they’re stocking — and adding. Lockhart coming aboard is one man, one move, aimed at adding system-wide mound muscle.

Lynn Henning is a freelance writer and retired Detroit News sports reporter.