CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS [Abstract]
REVENUE	$ 90,083	$ 101,158
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Educational services and facilities	46,193	48,987
Selling, general and administrative	53,249	54,833
Gain on sale of assets	(11)	(30)
Impairment of long-lived assets	1,726	0
Total costs & expenses	101,157	103,790
OPERATING LOSS	(11,074)	(2,632)
OTHER:
Interest income	2	2
Interest expense	(1,092)	(1,314)
Other income	0	8
LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(12,164)	(3,936)
BENEFIT FOR INCOME TAXES	(4,677)	(1,760)
LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(7,487)	(2,176)
LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF INCOME TAXES	0	(879)
NET LOSS	$ (7,487)	$ (3,055)
Basic
Loss per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.33)	$ (0.1)
Loss per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ (0.04)
Net loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.33)	$ (0.14)
Diluted
Loss per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.33)	$ (0.1)
Loss per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ (0.04)
Net loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.33)	$ (0.14)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	22,413,699	22,137,061
Diluted (in shares)	22,413,699	22,137,061