Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Other Intangible Assets) (Details) 2 (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 year	Jan. 02, 2011 year
Amortized intangible assets
Useful Life, maximum (in years)	10
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 146,934	$ 161,519
Accumulated Amortization	92,312	100,277
Net Carrying Amount	54,622	61,242
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, net	530,641	530,816
Franchise Agreements [Member]
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, net	496,321	496,166
Wireless Licenses [Member]
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, net	22,150	22,150
Licensure and Accreditation [Member]
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, net	7,862	7,877
Other [Member]
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, net	4,308	4,623
Non-compete Agreements [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Useful Life, minimum (in years)	2	2
Useful Life, maximum (in years)	5	5
Gross Carrying Amount	14,493	43,940
Accumulated Amortization	10,764	33,570
Net Carrying Amount	3,729	10,370
Student and Customer Relationships [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Useful Life, minimum (in years)	2	2
Useful Life, maximum (in years)	10	10
Gross Carrying Amount	75,734	66,510
Accumulated Amortization	47,888	41,958
Net Carrying Amount	27,846	24,552
Databases and Technology [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Useful Life, minimum (in years)	3	3
Useful Life, maximum (in years)	5	5
Gross Carrying Amount	10,514	10,514
Accumulated Amortization	8,159	2,921
Net Carrying Amount	2,355	7,593
Trade Names and Trademarks [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Useful Life, minimum (in years)	2	2
Useful Life, maximum (in years)	10	10
Gross Carrying Amount	36,222	29,053
Accumulated Amortization	18,936	15,330
Net Carrying Amount	17,286	13,723
Other
Amortized intangible assets
Useful Life, minimum (in years)	1	1
Useful Life, maximum (in years)	25	25
Gross Carrying Amount	9,971	11,502
Accumulated Amortization	6,565	6,498
Net Carrying Amount	$ 3,406	$ 5,004