CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS [Abstract]
REVENUE	$ 261,853	$ 285,559	$ 306,102
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Educational services and facilities	129,413	144,426	151,647
Selling, general and administrative	138,779	148,447	151,797
(Gain) loss on sale of assets	(1,623)	233	1,738
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets	0	21,367	216
Total costs and expenses	266,569	314,473	305,398
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME	(4,716)	(28,914)	704
OTHER:
Interest income	56	155	52
Interest expense	(7,098)	(6,131)	(8,015)
Other income	0	6,786	4,151
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(11,758)	(28,104)	(3,108)
(BENEFIT) PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	(274)	200	242
NET LOSS	$ (11,484)	$ (28,304)	$ (3,350)
Basic
Net loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.48)	$ (1.21)	$ (0.14)
Diluted
Net loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.48)	$ (1.21)	$ (0.14)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	23,906,395	23,453,427	23,166,977
Diluted (in shares)	23,906,395	23,453,427	23,166,977