It's almost time for state tests again, and after a storm of controversy last year, the state and school officials are working to make the process smooth this year. Barry Wygel has more from Troy where one school is trying to make it fun for students to get ready.

TROY, N.Y. -- State tests begin next week, and you know students can be a little nervous about the upcoming tests, but PS 14 in Troy has a unique way to get ready.

When kids prepare for a test, this isn't the scene you would probably expect. But this is exactly the mood that the administrators want to instill before next week's state tests.

"These kids are excited about the test. It's all about the frame of mind. It's all about a positive attitude. You could feel it here today," said Troy Superintendent John Carmello.

Feel it you could with cheers so loud that the floors shook -- calling it excitement is an understatement.

"We are ready. We have been working hard and getting super smart," said PS 14 Principal Karen Cloutier.

In traditional pep rally fashion, the older test-taking students played the jocks, with the younger students cheering them on. With state testing having become such a divisive political issue, administrators say it's important to remember why they exist.

"These tests are really diagnostic for us. They are really so we can make sure we are doing the right things to get these kids to graduate from Troy High School," said Carmello.

The state has made a number of changes to the tests this year including not tying results to teacher evaluations and removing some time limits.

"In the fall, SED did a great thing and they pulled in teachers to review every single question that is actually going to be on this test," said Carmello.

And district leaders know there is always a looming threat that if they fail to have 95 percent of students take the test, federal money could be withheld, crippling a district's finances.

But if you couldn't tell, the students at PS 14 are more than ready.

"I think the students have internalized that they have got this, they have worked so hard. They believe in their abilities, and really the anxiety is much much less than I have seen in previous years," said Cloutier.

The state ELA tests begin next week and the math tests begin the week after for all students in third through eighth grades.