CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 100,365	$ 128,224	$ 205,236	$ 273,582
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Educational services and facilities	49,769	54,619	101,579	113,635
Selling, general and administrative	55,017	64,237	112,201	132,124
(Gain) loss on sale of assets	(10)	30	(40)	9
Impairments of goodwill and long-lived assets	23,683	0	23,683	0
Total costs & expenses	128,459	118,886	237,423	245,768
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME	(28,094)	9,338	(32,187)	27,814
OTHER:
Interest income	0	2	2	5
Interest expense	(1,047)	(1,094)	(2,362)	(2,186)
Other income	2	8	10	13
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(29,139)	8,254	(34,537)	25,646
(BENEFIT) PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	(8,431)	3,324	(10,775)	10,360
NET (LOSS) INCOME	$ (20,708)	$ 4,930	$ (23,762)	$ 15,286
Basic
Net (loss) income per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.93)	$ 0.22	$ (1.07)	$ 0.70
Diluted
Net (loss) income per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.93)	$ 0.22	$ (1.07)	$ 0.68
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	22,183,043	21,989,756	22,160,053	21,966,466
Diluted (in shares)	22,183,043	22,561,338	22,160,053	22,489,692