Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net (loss) income	$ (18,712)	$ 51,885	$ (178,163)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Asset impairment	1,164	60,515	36,209
Depreciation and amortization expense	22,747	24,938	55,455
Bad debt expense	31,885	21,980	14,841
Compensation expense related to share-based awards	3,237	2,857	4,277
Loss on sale of businesses, net		1,793	311
(Gain) loss on disposition of property and equipment	(438)	663	32
Deferred income taxes	(18,087)	(145,807)	14,250
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Student receivables, gross	6,925	(1,517)	13,281
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(29,033)	(20,960)	(23,812)
Other receivables, net	1,127	14,311	7,854
Inventories, prepaid expenses, and other current assets	2,783	6,160	(1,877)
Deposits and other non-current assets	1,634	2,711	(1,166)
Accounts payable	(16,264)	2,539	(830)
Accrued expenses and deferred rent obligations	28,691	(31,104)	(52,972)
Deferred tuition revenue	(11,747)	(12,650)	(6,314)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	5,912	(21,686)	(118,624)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of available-for-sale investments	(160,590)	(93,360)	(157,425)
Sales of available-for-sale investments	126,830	100,173	64,920
Purchases of property and equipment	(4,129)	(11,695)	(13,156)
Proceeds on the sale of assets	3,600	2,272
Payments of cash upon sale of businesses, net of cash divested	(62)	(4,013)	(387)
Purchase of equity method investment		(1,368)	(1,575)
Net cash used in investing activities	(34,351)	(7,991)	(107,623)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Issuance of common stock	773	1,401	1,354
Borrowings from credit facility		38,000	10,000
Payments on borrowings	(38,000)	(10,000)
Change in restricted cash	48,446	(26,883)	(10,374)
Net cash provided by financing activities	11,219	2,518	980
EFFECT OF FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:	(192)	246	156
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(17,412)	(26,913)	(225,111)
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS CASH ACTIVITY INCLUDED ABOVE:
Add: Cash balance of discontinued operations, beginning of the year			475
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of the year	66,919	93,832	318,468
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of the year	49,507	66,919	93,832
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
Interest paid	153	33	54
Income taxes paid	$ 334	$ 580	$ 17,528