CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS [Abstract]
REVENUE	$ 325,022	$ 341,512	$ 380,163
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Educational services and facilities	164,352	169,049	178,271
Selling, general and administrative	168,441	175,978	189,488
Gain on sale of assets	(58)	(501)	(75)
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets	40,836	3,908	25,221
Total costs & expenses	373,571	348,434	392,905
OPERATING LOSS	(48,549)	(6,922)	(12,742)
OTHER:
Interest income	153	37	2
Interest expense	(5,613)	(4,667)	(4,475)
Other income	297	18	14
LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(53,712)	(11,534)	(17,201)
(BENEFIT ) PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	(4,225)	19,591	(2,282)
LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	(49,487)	(31,125)	(14,919)
LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF INCOME TAXES	(6,646)	(20,161)	(22,267)
NET LOSS	$ (56,133)	$ (51,286)	$ (37,186)
Basic
Loss per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (2.17)	$ (1.38)	$ (0.67)
Loss per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.29)	$ (0.90)	$ (1.01)
Net loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (2.46)	$ (2.28)	$ (1.68)
Diluted
Loss per share from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (2.17)	$ (1.38)	$ (0.67)
Loss per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.29)	$ (0.90)	$ (1.01)
Net loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (2.46)	$ (2.28)	$ (1.68)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	22,814,105	22,513,391	22,195,407
Diluted (in shares)	22,814,105	22,513,391	22,195,407