INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — School officials on Wednesday said communication from parents is key for Indiana’s new law on chronic absenteeism.

Beginning with this school year, schools are required to meet with parents to develop an attendance plan if a student has more than five days of unexcused absences in any 10-week period. Any such meeting must include the student’s parent, teacher, and a school administrator. The General Assembly approved the law this spring after Indiana Department of Education officials reported 1 in 5 students were chronically absent