SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
	Nov. 03, 2015 School	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) State	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) Unit	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) AssetsGroup	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($) Unit AssetsGroup	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2013 USD ($) Unit AssetsGroup	Mar. 31, 2013 USD ($) AssetsGroup	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) School State Campus Segment	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) AssetsGroup	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Number of units impaired | Unit			1		10		2
Goodwill impairment loss pre tax charge			$ 200		$ 39,000		$ 3,100
Goodwill, discontinued operations		$ 8,759		$ 1,304	$ 38,800		$ 3,100		$ 8,759	$ 1,304
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets [Abstract]
Impairment of long-lived assets		$ 0				$ 0
Number of assets groups impaired | AssetsGroup				1	6		4	2		1
Pretax charge related to leasehold improvements				$ 1,500	$ 1,900		$ 1,400	$ 1,700
Impairment related to discontinued operations					400		$ 1,400	$ 1,700
Pretax charges related to definite-lived intangible assets					500
Impairment charge of intangible asset discontinued operations					500
Business Activities [Abstract]
Number of schools | School									31
Number of states in which schools operate across the United States | State		15							15
Number of campuses treated as destination schools | Campus									5
Number of reportable segments | Segment									3
Liquidity [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 61,000							$ 61,000
Restricted cash		22,600							22,600
Term loan net of finance fees									19,200
Net, Assets held for sale		31,675		50,930					31,675	$ 50,930
Amount required to pay down debt									10,000
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Reduction of net revenues									(300)
Reduction of bad debt expense									(200)
Increase in loss from continuing operations									100
Reduction in student receivables									$ (100)
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Maximum maturity period for classification of cash equivalents									3 months
Restricted Cash and Investments [Abstract]
Restricted cash in long-term assets		15,259		0					$ 15,259	0
Advertising Costs [Abstract]
Advertising expense									15,100	$ 15,100	$ 15,600
Concentration of Credit Risk [Abstract]
Federal deposit insurance limit		250							250
Excess cash, FDIC insured amount		$ 60,100							$ 60,100
Transportation and Skilled Trades [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Goodwill impairment loss pre tax charge			$ 200		200
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets [Abstract]
Pretax charge related to leasehold improvements				$ 1,500	$ 1,500
Healthcare and Other Professions Business Segment [Member]
Business Activities [Abstract]
Number of schools | School	18
Number of schools approved to divest | School	17