For years researchers have been investigating the effects of parental involvement in middle school students. In the United States today, schools lack more in parental involvement as children move up in grades. Some research findings have shown that parental involvement is effective when teachers communicate more with parents and have a focused approach to reach parents and students. A qualitative case study was conducted with ten parents of special education children who are at risk academically. The study was conducted at a special education school located in Yonkers, NY. The results of this study showed that when parents are effective and involved in their child's education, the child will become academically successful. In return, children are academically successful when their homes are aligned with the academic climate in their schools. This study is a qualitative mixed method using a self-efficacy scale and interviewing parents in depth to show, from a parent's perspective, how parents, teachers, and clinicians help students to generate a series of beliefs, attitudes, and motivations that lead to children who are on the path to becoming academically successful. The goal in this study was to uncover the specific practices that represent the effects of parental involvement. This study has discovered how parents deal with school and work and what they do to promote academic achievement. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]