The entire program is monitored by an evaluation study that operates on two levels:

• Evaluation focusing on processes (constructive evaluation) which assesses the program's implementation processes and aids the program's directors in setting policy, decision making and choosing between alternatives. The evaluation identifies points of strength and weakness as well as catalysts and barriers in the process of shaping the program.
• Evaluation focusing on results which assess the critical factors determining the success of the program and the results of intervention in the field. It formulates and present indicators of the impact of the program on the various target populations and its success in achieving the goals that have been set.

During the 2006/7 school year the Youth Futures evaluation process will be an integral part of the ongoing redesigning of the program and will help in its improvement during its implementation in the field. In the upcoming years, the evaluation process will also include findings on the Youth Futures program's impact on the participating children and their surrounding communities.

The evaluation process is carried out by the Ben Gurion University's Center for Education Enhancement (CEE), a veteran in the field of evaluation of national social and educational projects, and a long-time partner of the Jewish Agency and overseas Jewish communities. The CEE is supervised and assisted by a professional JAFI team, made up of professionals in the field from the Israel Department.

The program's success is measured according the following indicators:

• Development in the various parts of the program - the Trustees' work, scholastic achievements and activities.
• Progress in building an operational structure - recruitment of Trustees, their training, creating a community-wide support network, cooperation with various local programs etc.
• Three circles of influence will be considered in evaluating the Youth Futures program components:
• Personal goals circle - personal achievements indicator, which will show the child's measure of success in achieving his/her set goals.
• Subject circle - will evaluate a locality, an area or nationwide progress in one field, such as improvement rate in English, behavior in class, use of local resources, etc.
• General (local) circle - several external indicators can be examined after a period of time (and partially examined this year), for example, the matriculation eligibility rate or drop-out rate.
• The criteria for success, as defined by the program:
• Giving children aged 6-13 an equal opportunity for success through developing motivation, self confidence, and improving scholastic achievements.
• Ensuring that the children will complete their matriculation exams, which will allow them to continue to higher education.
• Enriching the variety of local programs and resources for the benefit of the Youth Futures participants and the entire community.
• Developing a young community in each locality, to influence and strengthen the entire community.
• Examining further goals or changes in the program, as it progresses.