GOODWILL AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 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		700,000	200,000	1,200,000
Net carrying amount	843,000			843,000
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				230,000
FiniteAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsImpairmentLosses, Total				(212,000)
Accumulated amortization, Total	2,852,000			2,852,000
Net carrying amount (Excluding Goodwill)	2,291,000			2,291,000
Amortization of intangible assets	100,000		700,000	200,000	1,200,000
Summarizes the estimated future amortization expense [Abstract]
Remainder of 2012	60,000			60,000
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
Net carrying amount	843,000			843,000
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				23,000
Impairment				0
Accumulated amortization, ending balance	23,000			23,000
Net carrying amount	2,000			2,000
Weighted average amortization period (years)				1 year
Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets				23,000
Summarizes the estimated future amortization expense [Abstract]
Net carrying amount	2,000			2,000
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				61,000
Impairment				(127,000)
Accumulated amortization, ending balance	196,000			196,000
Net carrying amount	170,000			170,000
Weighted average amortization period (years)				7 years
Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets				61,000
Summarizes the estimated future amortization expense [Abstract]
Net carrying amount	170,000			170,000
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				100,000
Impairment				(85,000)
Accumulated amortization, ending balance	635,000			635,000
Net carrying amount	489,000			489,000
Weighted average amortization period (years)				9 years
Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets				100,000
Summarizes the estimated future amortization expense [Abstract]
Net carrying amount	489,000			489,000
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				46,000
Impairment				0
Accumulated amortization, ending balance	1,998,000			1,998,000
Net carrying amount	182,000			182,000
Weighted average amortization period (years)				3 years
Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets				46,000
Summarizes the estimated future amortization expense [Abstract]
Net carrying amount	$ 182,000			$ 182,000