CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS [Abstract]
REVENUE	$ 345,024	$ 382,773	$ 456,722
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Educational services and facilities	172,685	180,610	196,639
Selling, general and administrative	178,494	191,033	216,846
(Gain) loss on sale of assets	(506)	(75)	4
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets	3,908	25,221	8,290
Total costs & expenses	354,581	396,789	421,779
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME	(9,557)	(14,016)	34,943
OTHER:
Interest income	37	2	17
Interest expense	(4,667)	(4,475)	(4,369)
Other income	18	14	18
(LOSS) INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(14,169)	(18,475)	30,609
PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES	19,591	(2,791)	13,053
(LOSS) INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(33,760)	(15,684)	17,556
LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF INCOME TAXES	(17,526)	(21,502)	(16)
NET (LOSS) INCOME	$ (51,286)	$ (37,186)	$ 17,540
Basic
(Loss) earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (1.50)	$ (0.71)	$ 0.80
Loss per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.78)	$ (0.97)	$ 0
Net (loss) income per share (in dollars per share)	$ (2.28)	$ (1.68)	$ 0.80
Diluted
(Loss) earnings per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (1.50)	$ (0.71)	$ 0.79
Loss per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.78)	$ (0.97)	$ 0
Net (loss) income per share (in dollars per share)	$ (2.28)	$ (1.68)	$ 0.79
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	22,513,391	22,195,407	22,019,563
Diluted (in shares)	22,513,391	22,195,407	22,155,000