CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS [Abstract]
REVENUE	$ 402,697	$ 491,821	$ 604,762
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Educational services and facilities	192,205	210,892	227,331
Selling, general and administrative	204,299	232,478	257,621
(Gain) loss on sale of assets	(75)	5	(14)
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets	33,925	8,290	4,850
Total costs & expenses	430,354	451,665	489,788
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME	(27,657)	40,156	114,974
OTHER:
Interest income	2	40	30
Interest expense	(4,475)	(4,369)	(4,523)
Other income	14	18	45
(LOSS) INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(32,116)	35,845	110,526
(BENEFIT) PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	(8,235)	14,730	44,839
(LOSS) INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(23,881)	21,115	65,687
(LOSS) INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF INCOME TAXES	(13,305)	(3,575)	4,044
NET (LOSS) INCOME	$ (37,186)	$ 17,540	$ 69,731
Basic
(Loss) earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (1.08)	$ 0.96	$ 2.69
(Loss) earnings per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.6)	$ (0.16)	$ 0.17
Net (loss) income per share (in dollars per share)	$ (1.68)	$ 0.80	$ 2.86
Diluted
(Loss) earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (1.08)	$ 0.95	$ 2.63
(Loss) earnings per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.6)	$ (0.16)	$ 0.16
Net (loss) income per share (in dollars per share)	$ (1.68)	$ 0.79	$ 2.79
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	22,195,407	22,019,563	24,418,460
Diluted (in shares)	22,195,407	22,155,000	25,024,173