; (3) support local educational agencies in implementing effective middle grades practices, models, and programs that— (A) are evidence-based; and (B) lead to improved student academic achievement; (4) support collaborative communities of middle grades teachers, administrators, school librarians, and researchers in creating and sustaining informational databases to disseminate results from rigorous research on effective practices and programs for middle grades education; and (5) increase middle grades student and academic support services, such as— (A) effective school library programs; and (B) school counseling on the transition to secondary school, such as summer bridge programs and student mentors, and planning for entry into postsecondary education and the workforce. 104. Competitive subgrants to improve low-performing middle grades (a) In general A State educational agency that receives a grant under this title shall make competitive subgrants to eligible local educational agencies and eligible entities to enable the eligible local educational agencies and eligible entities to improve low-performing middle grades in schools served by the agencies or entities. (b) Priorities In making subgrants under subsection (a), a State educational agency shall give priority to eligible local educational agencies or eligible entities based on— (1) the respective populations of children described in section 102(c)(1) served by the eligible local educational agencies that are participating in the subgrant application process