; (B) more than 25 percent of the students who finish grade 6 at such school, or the earliest middle grade level at the school, exhibit 1 or more of the key risk factors and early risk identification signs, including— (i) student attendance below 90 percent; (ii) a failing grade in a mathematics or reading or language arts course; (iii) 2 failing grades in any courses; and (iv) out-of-school suspension or other evidence of at-risk behavior; or (C) more than 50 percent of the middle grades students attending such school do not perform at a proficient level on State student academic assessments required under section 1111(b)(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2) ) in mathematics or reading or language arts. (6) Institution of higher education The term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 ). (7) Middle grades The term middle grades means any of grades 5 through 8. (8) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Education. (9) State The term State means each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. (10) Student with a disability The term student with a disability means a student who is a child with a disability, as defined in section 602 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1401 ). I Middle grades improvement 101. Purposes The purposes of this title are to— (1) develop middle grade students' social, emotional, and academic competencies and deep content knowledge to ensure they are equipped to think critically, solve problems, communicate effectively, collaborate with others, and be self-directed so that they can enter high school on-track and graduate from high school on time and ready for postsecondary and career pathways