GOODWILL AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
GOODWILL AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS [Abstract]
Reporting units			5
Pretax non-cash charge, goodwill impairment			$ 15,400,000
Number of assets groups impaired	10		10
Non-cash charge related to long-lived asset impairment	8,300,000		8,300,000
Non cash related to leasehold improvements	8,100,000		8,100,000
Non cash charge related to definite lived intangible assets	200,000		200,000
Carrying amount of goodwill [Abstract]
Goodwill			115,303,000
Accumulated impairment losses			(17,932,000)
Goodwill			97,371,000
Goodwill acquired pursuant to business acquisition-FMTI	1,837,000		1,837,000
Goodwill	117,140,000		117,140,000
Accumulated impairment losses	(33,284,000)		(33,284,000)
Goodwill	83,856,000		83,856,000
Goodwill impairment			(15,352,000)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization	100,000	200,000	200,000	500,000
Net carrying amount	914,000		914,000
Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill), Total			5,087,000
Finite and IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAcquiredDuringPeriod Total			474,000
Impairment of finite and Indefinite Lived AssetsTotal			(418,000)
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill), Total	5,143,000		5,143,000
Accumulated amortization, Total			2,834,000
AmortizationOfFiniteAndIndefiniteIntangibleAssetsTotal			159,000
FiniteAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsImpairmentLosses, Total			(212,000)
Accumulated amortization, Total	2,781,000		2,781,000
Net carrying amount (Excluding Goodwill)	2,362,000		2,362,000
Amortization of intangible assets	100,000	200,000	200,000	500,000
Summarizes the estimated future amortization expense [Abstract]
Remainder of 2012	131,000		131,000
2013	225,000		225,000
2014	224,000		224,000
2015	156,000		156,000
2016	112,000		112,000
Thereafter	66,000		66,000
Total	914,000		914,000
Indefinite Trade Name [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount, beginning balance			180,000
Acquisition of FMTI			0
Impairment Indefinite Lived Assets Gross	0		0
Gross carrying amount, ending balance	180,000		180,000
Accumulated amortization, beginning balance			0
Amortization Of indefinite Intangible Assets			0
Impairment			0
Accumulated amortization, ending balance	0		0
Net carrying amount	180,000		180,000
Accreditation [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount, beginning balance			1,268,000
Acquisition of FMTI			0
Impairment Indefinite Lived Assets Gross	0		0
Gross carrying amount, ending balance	1,268,000		1,268,000
Accumulated amortization, beginning balance			0
Amortization Of indefinite Intangible Assets			0
Impairment			0
Accumulated amortization, ending balance	0		0
Net carrying amount	1,268,000		1,268,000
Student Contracts [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount, beginning balance			0
Acquisition of FMTI			25,000
Impairment finite lived assets gross	0		0
Gross carrying amount, ending balance	25,000		25,000
Accumulated amortization, beginning balance			0
Amortization			11,000
Impairment			0
Accumulated amortization, ending balance	11,000		11,000
Net carrying amount	14,000		14,000
Weighted average amortization period (in years)			1 year
Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets			11,000
Summarizes the estimated future amortization expense [Abstract]
Total	14,000		14,000
Trade Name [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount, beginning balance			509,000
Acquisition of FMTI			25,000
Impairment finite lived assets gross	(168,000)		(168,000)
Gross carrying amount, ending balance	366,000		366,000
Accumulated amortization, beginning balance			262,000
Amortization			45,000
Impairment			(127,000)
Accumulated amortization, ending balance	180,000		180,000
Net carrying amount	186,000		186,000
Weighted average amortization period (in years)			7 years
Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets			45,000
Summarizes the estimated future amortization expense [Abstract]
Total	186,000		186,000
Non-compete [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount, beginning balance			1,980,000
Acquisition of FMTI			200,000
Impairment finite lived assets gross	0		0
Gross carrying amount, ending balance	2,180,000		2,180,000
Accumulated amortization, beginning balance			1,952,000
Amortization			36,000
Impairment			0
Accumulated amortization, ending balance	1,988,000		1,988,000
Net carrying amount	192,000		192,000
Weighted average amortization period (in years)			3 years
Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets			36,000
Summarizes the estimated future amortization expense [Abstract]
Total	192,000		192,000
Curriculum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount, beginning balance			1,150,000
Acquisition of FMTI			224,000
Impairment finite lived assets gross	(250,000)		(250,000)
Gross carrying amount, ending balance	1,124,000		1,124,000
Accumulated amortization, beginning balance			620,000
Amortization			67,000
Impairment			(85,000)
Accumulated amortization, ending balance	602,000		602,000
Net carrying amount	522,000		522,000
Weighted average amortization period (in years)			9 years
Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets			67,000
Summarizes the estimated future amortization expense [Abstract]
Total	$ 522,000		$ 522,000