Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Sep. 30, 2019	Nov. 12, 2019
Cover [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0001286613
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		25,231,710
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Address, State or Province	NJ

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 11,757	$ 17,571
Restricted cash	3,997	16,775
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $17,277 and $15,590 at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively	22,094	18,675
Inventories	1,899	1,451
Prepaid income taxes and income taxes receivable	358	178
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	4,257	2,461
Total current assets	44,362	57,111
PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES - At cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $172,190 and $171,109 at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively	48,209	49,292
OTHER ASSETS:
Noncurrent restricted cash	0	11,600
Noncurrent receivables, less allowance of $2,156 and $1,403 at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively	14,633	12,175
Deferred income taxes, net	0	424
Operating lease right-of-use assets	38,750	0
Goodwill	14,536	14,536
Other assets, net	1,247	900
Total other assets	69,166	39,635
TOTAL	161,737	146,038
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current portion of credit agreement	7,117	15,000
Unearned tuition	22,901	22,545
Accounts payable	18,899	14,107
Accrued expenses	9,523	10,605
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	9,089	0
Other short-term liabilities	595	2,324
Total current liabilities	68,124	64,581
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
Long-term credit agreement and term loan	19,785	33,769
Pension plan liabilities	4,149	4,271
Deferred income taxes, net	93	0
Long-term portion of operating lease liabilities	35,942	0
Accrued rent	0	3,410
Other long-term liabilities	64	141
Total liabilities	128,157	106,172
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, no par value - 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018	0	0
Common stock, no par value - authorized: 100,000,000 shares at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018; issued and outstanding: 31,142,251 shares at September 30, 2019 and 30,552,333 shares at December 31, 2018	141,377	141,377
Additional paid-in capital	29,927	29,484
Treasury stock at cost - 5,910,541 shares at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018	(82,860)	(82,860)
Accumulated deficit	(51,264)	(44,073)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,600)	(4,062)
Total stockholders' equity	33,580	39,866
TOTAL	$ 161,737	$ 146,038

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
CURRENT ASSETS:
Accounts receivable, allowance	$ 17,277	$ 15,590
PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES - accumulated depreciation and amortization	172,190	171,109
OTHER ASSETS:
Noncurrent receivables, allowance	$ 2,156	$ 1,403
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	31,142,251	30,552,333
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	31,142,251	30,552,333
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	5,910,541	5,910,541

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) [Abstract]
REVENUE	$ 72,594	$ 70,078	$ 199,427	$ 193,087
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Educational services and facilities	33,211	33,488	92,940	94,169
Selling, general and administrative	37,451	36,087	111,512	108,091
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets	(211)	427	(211)	537
Total costs & expenses	70,451	70,002	204,241	202,797
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	2,143	76	(4,814)	(9,710)
OTHER:
Interest income	1	6	7	25
Interest expense	(754)	(632)	(2,141)	(1,743)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	1,390	(550)	(6,948)	(11,428)
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	50	50	244	150
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ 1,340	$ (600)	$ (7,192)	$ (11,578)
Basic
Net income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.05	$ (0.02)	$ (0.29)	$ (0.47)
Diluted
Net income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.05	$ (0.02)	$ (0.29)	$ (0.47)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	24,563,038	24,532,648	24,550,999	24,386,689
Diluted (in shares)	24,607,504	24,532,648	24,550,999	24,386,689

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 1,340	$ (600)	$ (7,192)	$ (11,578)
Other comprehensive income
Employee pension plan adjustments	154	162	462	485
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 1,494	$ (438)	$ (6,730)	$ (11,093)

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References + Details

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Total
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 141,377	$ 29,334	$ (82,860)	$ (37,528)	$ (4,510)	$ 45,813
BALANCE (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017	30,624,407
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss	$ 0	0	0	(6,874)	0	(6,874)
Employee pension plan adjustments	0	0	0	0	162	162
Stock-based compensation expense
Restricted stock	$ 0	429	0	0	0	429
Restricted stock (in shares)	113,946
Net share settlement for equity-based compensation	$ 0	(311)	0	0	0	(311)
Net share settlement for equity-based compensation (in shares)	(168,254)
BALANCE at Mar. 31, 2018	$ 141,377	29,452	(82,860)	(44,402)	(4,348)	39,219
BALANCE (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2018	30,570,099
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 141,377	29,334	(82,860)	(37,528)	(4,510)	45,813
BALANCE (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017	30,624,407
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss						(11,578)
BALANCE at Sep. 30, 2018	$ 141,377	29,464	(82,860)	(49,106)	(4,025)	34,850
BALANCE (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2018	30,552,333
BALANCE at Mar. 31, 2018	$ 141,377	29,452	(82,860)	(44,402)	(4,348)	39,219
BALANCE (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2018	30,570,099
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss	$ 0	0	0	(4,104)	0	(4,104)
Employee pension plan adjustments	0	0	0	0	161	161
Stock-based compensation expense
Restricted stock	$ 0	53	0	0	0	53
Restricted stock (in shares)	21,622
Net share settlement for equity-based compensation	$ 0	(61)	0	0	0	(61)
Net share settlement for equity-based compensation (in shares)	(39,388)
BALANCE at Jun. 30, 2018	$ 141,377	29,444	(82,860)	(48,506)	(4,187)	35,268
BALANCE (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2018	30,552,333
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss	$ 0	0	0	(600)	0	(600)
Employee pension plan adjustments	0	0	0	0	162	162
Stock-based compensation expense
Restricted stock	$ 0	20	0	0	0	20
Restricted stock (in shares)	0
Net share settlement for equity-based compensation	$ 0	0	0	0	0	0
Net share settlement for equity-based compensation (in shares)	0
BALANCE at Sep. 30, 2018	$ 141,377	29,464	(82,860)	(49,106)	(4,025)	34,850
BALANCE (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2018	30,552,333
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 141,377	29,484	(82,860)	(44,073)	(4,062)	$ 39,866
BALANCE (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018	30,552,333					30,552,333
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss	$ 0	0	0	(5,467)	0	$ (5,467)
Employee pension plan adjustments	0	0	0	0	154	154
Stock-based compensation expense
Restricted stock	$ 0	52	0	0	0	52
Restricted stock (in shares)	478,853
Net share settlement for equity-based compensation	$ 0	(18)	0	0	0	(18)
Net share settlement for equity-based compensation (in shares)	(5,518)
BALANCE at Mar. 31, 2019	$ 141,377	29,518	(82,860)	(49,540)	(3,908)	34,587
BALANCE (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019	31,025,668
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 141,377	29,484	(82,860)	(44,073)	(4,062)	$ 39,866
BALANCE (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018	30,552,333					30,552,333
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss						$ (7,192)
BALANCE at Sep. 30, 2019	$ 141,377	29,927	(82,860)	(51,264)	(3,600)	$ 33,580
BALANCE (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019	31,142,251					31,142,251
BALANCE at Mar. 31, 2019	$ 141,377	29,518	(82,860)	(49,540)	(3,908)	$ 34,587
BALANCE (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019	31,025,668
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss	$ 0	0	0	(3,064)	0	(3,064)
Employee pension plan adjustments	0	0	0	0	154	154
Stock-based compensation expense
Restricted stock	$ 0	191	0	0	0	191
Restricted stock (in shares)	116,583
Net share settlement for equity-based compensation	$ 0	0	0	0	0	0
Net share settlement for equity-based compensation (in shares)	0
BALANCE at Jun. 30, 2019	$ 141,377	29,709	(82,860)	(52,604)	(3,754)	31,868
BALANCE (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2019	31,142,251
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss	$ 0	0	0	1,340	0	1,340
Employee pension plan adjustments	0	0	0	0	154	154
Stock-based compensation expense
Restricted stock	$ 0	218	0	0	0	218
Restricted stock (in shares)	0
Net share settlement for equity-based compensation	$ 0	0	0	0	0	0
Net share settlement for equity-based compensation (in shares)	0
BALANCE at Sep. 30, 2019	$ 141,377	$ 29,927	$ (82,860)	$ (51,264)	$ (3,600)	$ 33,580
BALANCE (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019	31,142,251					31,142,251

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss	$ (7,192)	$ (11,578)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	5,972	6,289
Amortization of deferred finance charges	354	275
Deferred income taxes	424	0
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets	(211)	537
Fixed asset donation	(893)	0
Provision for doubtful accounts	15,157	12,988
Stock-based compensation expense	460	502
Deferred rent	0	(697)
(Increase) decrease in assets:
Accounts receivable	(21,034)	(21,300)
Inventories	(448)	(654)
Prepaid income taxes and income taxes receivable	(180)	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	554	139
Other assets, net	(1,003)	(83)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable	4,197	9,007
Accrued expenses	(33)	1,983
Unearned tuition	356	(3,122)
Deferred income taxes	93	0
Other liabilities	(1,466)	(102)
Total adjustments	2,299	5,762
Net cash used in operating activities	(4,893)	(5,816)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	(3,272)	(4,217)
Proceeds from insurance	211	0
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	0	2,348
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,061)	(1,869)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payments on borrowings	(27,167)	(32,800)
Proceeds from borrowings	5,045	4,400
Payment of deferred finance fees	(98)	(94)
Net share settlement for equity-based compensation	(18)	(372)
Net cash used in financing activities	(22,238)	(28,866)
NET DECREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH	(30,192)	(36,551)
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH-Beginning of period	45,946	54,554
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH-End of period	15,754	18,003
Cash paid for:
Interest	1,638	1,523
Income taxes	113	167
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Liabilities accrued for or noncash purchases of fixed assets	$ 1,679	$ 392

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1.	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business Activities— Lincoln Educational Services Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”, “we”, “our” and “us”, as applicable) provide diversified career-oriented post-secondary education to recent high school graduates and working adults. The Company, which currently operates 22 schools in 14 states, offers programs in automotive technology, skilled trades (which include HVAC, welding and computerized numerical control and electrical and electronic systems technology, among other programs), healthcare services (which include nursing, dental assistant and medical administrative assistant, among other programs), hospitality services (which include culinary, therapeutic massage, cosmetology and aesthetics) and information technology programs. The schools operate under Lincoln Technical Institute, Lincoln College of Technology, Lincoln Culinary Institute, and Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts and Sciences and associated brand names. Most of the campuses serve major metropolitan markets and each typically offers courses in multiple areas of study. Five of the campuses are destination schools, which attract students from across the United States and, in some cases, from abroad. The Company’s other campuses primarily attract students from their local communities and surrounding areas. All of the campuses are nationally or regionally accredited and are eligible to participate in federal financial aid programs managed by the U.S. Department of Education (the “DOE”) and applicable state education agencies and accrediting commissions, which allow students to apply for and access federal student loans as well as other forms of financial aid.

The Company’s business is organized into three reportable business segments: (a) Transportation and Skilled Trades, (b) Healthcare and Other Professions (“HOPS”), and (c) Transitional, which refers to businesses that have been taught out.

In August 2018, New England Institute of Technology at Palm Beach, Inc. (“NEIT”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, sold to Elite Property Enterprise, LLC the real property owned by NEIT located at 1126 53rd Court North, Mangonia Park, Palm Beach County, Florida and the improvements and certain personal property located thereon (the “Mangonia Park Property”), for a cash purchase price of $2,550,000. At the closing, NEIT paid a real estate brokerage fee equal to 5% of the gross sales price and other customary closing costs and expenses. Pursuant to the provisions of the Company’s credit agreement with its lender, Sterling National Bank, the net cash proceeds of the sale of the Mangonia Park Property were deposited into an account with the lender to serve as additional security for loans and other financial accommodations provided to the Company and its subsidiaries under the credit facility. In December 2018, the funds were used to repay the outstanding principal balance of the loans outstanding under the credit facility and such repayment permanently reduced the loan outstanding under the credit facility designated as Facility 1 under the Company’s credit agreement to a $22.7 million term loan.

Effective December 31, 2018, the Company completed the teach-out and ceased operation of its Lincoln College of New England (“LCNE”) campus at Southington, Connecticut. The decision to close the LCNE campus followed the previously reported placement of LCNE on probation by the college’s institutional accreditor, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (“NEASC”). After evaluating alternative options, the Company concluded that teaching out and closing the campus was in the best interest of the Company and its students. Subsequent to formalizing the LCNE closure decision in August 2018, the Company partnered with Goodwin College, another NEASC- accredited institution in the region, to assist LCNE students to complete their programs of study. The majority of the LCNE students will continue their education at Goodwin College thereby limiting some of the Company’s closing costs. The Company recorded closing costs associated with the closure of the LCNE campus in 2018 of approximately $1.6 million in connection with the termination of the LCNE campus lease, which is the net present value of the remaining obligation, to be paid in equal monthly installments through January 2020 and approximately $0.7 million of severance payments. LCNE results, previously reported in the HOPS segment, were included in the Transitional segment as of December 31, 2018.

Liquidity— For the last several years, the Company and the proprietary school sector have faced deteriorating earnings. Government regulations have negatively impacted earnings by making it more difficult for potential students to obtain loans, which, when coupled with the overall economic environment, have discouraged potential students from enrolling in post-secondary schools. In light of these factors, for the last several years, the Company has incurred significant operating losses as a result of lower student population. Despite these challenges, the Company believes that its likely sources of cash should be sufficient to fund operations for the next twelve months and thereafter for the foreseeable future. At September 30, 2019, the Company’s sources of cash primarily included cash and cash equivalents of $15.8 million (of which $4.0 million is restricted). The Company is also continuing to take actions to improve cash flow by aligning its cost structure to its student population.

Basis of Presentation – The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been omitted or condensed pursuant to such regulations. These statements, which should be read in conjunction with the December 31, 2018 consolidated financial statements and related disclosures of the Company included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for such periods. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year ending December 31, 2019.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates the estimates and assumptions including those related to revenue recognition, bad debts, impairments, fixed assets, discount rate for lease liabilities, income taxes, benefit plans and certain accruals. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

New Accounting Pronouncements – In July 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2019-07, “Codification Updates to SEC Sections,” to reflect the recently adopted amendments to the SEC final rules that were done to modernize and simplify certain reporting requirements for public companies, investment advisers and investment companies. This ASU is effective upon issuance and did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” and subsequently issued additional guidance that modified ASU 2016-13. ASU 2016-13 and the subsequent modifications are identified as Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 326. The standard requires an entity to change its accounting approach in determining impairment of certain financial instruments, including trade receivables, from an “incurred loss” to a “current expected credit loss” model. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within such fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently assessing the effect that ASC 326 will have on our financial position, results of operations, and disclosures.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans – General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans.” This ASU adds, modifies and clarifies several disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. This guidance is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2018-14 will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, “Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement”, which eliminates, adds and modifies certain fair value measurement disclosure requirements of Accounting Standards Codification 820, Fair Value Measurement. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU No. 2018-13 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, “Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” intended to reduce cost and complexity and to improve financial reporting for share-based payments issued to nonemployees. This ASU expands the scope of Topic 718, “Compensation - Stock Compensation”, to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. An entity should apply the requirements of Topic 718 to nonemployee awards except for specific guidance on inputs to an option pricing model and the attribution of cost. The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-07 on January 1, 2019. The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, “Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)”. The updated guidance allows entities to reclassify stranded income tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings in their consolidated financial statements. Under the Tax Act, deferred taxes were adjusted to reflect the reduction of the historical corporate income tax rate to the newly enacted corporate income tax rate, which left the tax effects on items within accumulated other comprehensive income stranded at an inappropriate tax rate. The updated guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those years. The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-02 on January 1, 2019 and it did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases.” This guidance amends the existing accounting considerations and treatments for leases through the creation of Topic 842, Leases, to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring the recognition of right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet. Lessees and lessors are required to disclose qualitative and quantitative information about leasing arrangements to enable a user of the financial statements to assess the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from such leases.

In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-10, “Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases” to further clarify, correct and consolidate various areas previously discussed in ASU 2016-02. FASB also issued ASU No. 2018-11, “Leases: Targeted Improvements” to provide entities another option for transition and lessors with a practical expedient. The transition option allows entities to not apply ASU No. 2016-02 in comparative periods in the financial statements in the year of adoption. The practical expedient offers lessors an option to not separate non-lease components from the associated lease components when certain criteria are met.

The amendments in ASU No. 2016-02, ASU No. 2018-10 and ASU No. 2018-11 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and allow for modified retrospective adoption with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02 and the related amendments on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach and elected the transition relief package of practical expedients by applying previous accounting conclusions under ASC 840 to all leases that existed prior to the transition date. As a result, the Company did not reassess (1) whether existing or expired contracts contain leases, (2) lease classification for any existing or expired leases or (3) whether lease origination costs qualified as initial direct costs. The Company did not elect the practical expedient to use hindsight in determining a lease term and impairment of the right-of-use (“ROU”) assets at the adoption date. The Company did not separate lease components from non-lease components for the specified asset classes. The election applies to all operating leases where fixed rent payments incorporate common area maintenance. For leases where the election does not apply, the common area maintenance is billed by the landlord separately. Additionally, the Company did not apply the recognition requirements under ASC 842 to short-term leases, generally defined as leases with terms of less than one year. The Company has operating leases for its corporate office and schools. The Company does not have any finance leases.

Stock-Based Compensation – The Company measures the value of stock options on the grant date at fair value, using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The Company amortizes the fair value of stock options, net of estimated forfeitures, utilizing straight-line amortization of compensation expense over the requisite service period of the grant.

The Company measures the value of service and performance-based restricted stock on the fair value of a share of common stock on the date of the grant. The Company amortizes the fair value of service-based restricted stock utilizing straight-line amortization of compensation expense over the requisite service period of the grant.

The Company amortizes the fair value of the performance-based restricted stock based on the determination of the probable outcome of the performance condition. If the performance condition is expected to be met, then the Company amortizes the fair value of the number of shares expected to vest utilizing straight-line basis over the requisite performance period of the grant. However, if the associated performance condition is not expected to be met, then the Company does not recognize the stock-based compensation expense.

Income Taxes – The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes”. This statement requires an asset and a liability approach for measuring deferred taxes based on temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities existing at each balance sheet date using enacted tax rates for years in which taxes are expected to be paid or recovered.

In accordance with ASC 740, the Company assesses our deferred tax asset to determine whether all or any portion of the asset is more likely than not unrealizable. A valuation allowance is required to be established or maintained when, based on currently available information, it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. In accordance with ASC 740, our assessment considers whether there has been sufficient income in recent years and whether sufficient income is expected in future years in order to utilize the deferred tax asset. In evaluating the realizability of deferred income tax assets, the Company considered, among other things, historical levels of income, expected future income, the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary reporting differences, and the expected impact of tax planning strategies that may be implemented to prevent the potential loss of future income tax benefits. Significant judgment is required in determining the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our consolidated financial statements and/or tax returns. Differences between anticipated and actual outcomes of these future tax consequences could have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. Changes in, among other things, income tax legislation, statutory income tax rates, or future income levels could materially impact the Company’s valuation of income tax assets and liabilities and could cause our income tax provision to vary significantly among financial reporting periods.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company did not recognize any interest and penalties expense associated with uncertain tax positions.

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES [Abstract]

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES

2.	WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES

The weighted average number of common shares used to compute basic and diluted loss per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2019		2018		2019		2018
Basic shares outstanding		24,563,038		24,532,648		24,550,999		24,386,689
Dilutive effect of stock options		44,466		-		-		-
Diluted shares outstanding		24,607,504		24,532,648		24,550,999		24,386,689

For the three months ended September 30, 2018, options to acquire 26,083 shares were excluded from the above table because the Company reported a net loss for the period and, therefore, the impact on reported loss per share would have been antidilutive. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, options to acquire 93,654 and 57,680 shares, respectively, were excluded from the above table because the Company reported a net loss for each period and, therefore, their impact on reported loss per share would have been antidilutive. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, options to acquire 133,000 and 139,000 shares were excluded from the above table because they have an exercise price that is greater than the average market price of the Company’s common stock and, therefore, their impact on reported loss per share would have been antidilutive.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

REVENUE RECOGNITION [Abstract]

REVENUE RECOGNITION

3.	REVENUE RECOGNITION

Substantially all of our revenues are considered to be revenues from contracts with students. The related accounts receivable balances are recorded in our balance sheets as student accounts receivable. We do not have significant revenue recognized from performance obligations that were satisfied in prior periods, and we do not have any transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations other than in our unearned tuition. We record revenue for students who withdraw from our schools only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. Unearned tuition represents contract liabilities primarily related to our tuition revenue. We have elected not to provide disclosure about transaction prices allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations if contract durations are less than one-year, or if we have the right to consideration from a student in an amount that corresponds directly with the value provided to the student for performance obligations completed to date. We have assessed the costs incurred to obtain a contract with a student and determined them to be immaterial.

Unearned tuition in the amount of $22.9 million and $22.5 million is recorded in the current liabilities section of the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The change in this contract liability balance during the nine month period ended September 30, 2019 is the result of payments received in advance of satisfying performance obligations, offset by revenue recognized during that period. Revenue recognized for the nine month period ended September 30, 2019 that was included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the year was $21.5 million.

The following table depicts the timing of revenue recognition:

	Three months ended September 30, 2019								Nine months ended September 30, 2019
	Transportation and Skilled Trades Segment		Healthcare and Other Professions Segment		Transitional Segment		Consolidated		Transportation and Skilled Trades Segment		Healthcare and Other Professions Segment		Transitional Segment		Consolidated
Timing of Revenue Recognition
Services transferred at a point in time	$	4,792	$	1,308	$	-	$	6,100	$	9,360	$	3,541	$	-	$	12,901
Services transferred over time		47,860		18,634		-		66,494		131,646		54,880		-		186,526
Total revenues	$	52,652	$	19,942	$	-	$	72,594	$	141,006	$	58,421	$	-	$	199,427

	Three months ended September 30, 2018								Nine months ended September 30, 2018
	Transportation and Skilled Trades Segment		Healthcare and Other Professions Segment		Transitional Segment		Consolidated		Transportation and Skilled Trades Segment		Healthcare and Other Professions Segment		Transitional Segment		Consolidated
Timing of Revenue Recognition
Services transferred at a point in time	$	4,514	$	1,162	$	56	$	5,732	$	8,219	$	2,847	$	62	$	11,128
Services transferred over time		46,492		17,089		765		64,346		127,619		49,707		4,633		181,959
Total revenues	$	51,006	$	18,251	$	821	$	70,078	$	135,838	$	52,554	$	4,695	$	193,087

LEASES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

LEASES [Abstract]

LEASES

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. The Company considers any contract where there is an identified asset and that it has the right to control the use of such asset in determining whether the contract contains a lease. An operating lease ROU asset represents the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent its obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are to be recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s operating leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available on the adoption date in determining the present value of lease payments. We estimate the incremental borrowing rate based on a yield curve analysis, utilizing the interest rate derived from the fair value analysis of our credit facility and adjusting it for factors that appropriately reflect the profile of secured borrowing over the expected term of the lease. The operating lease ROU assets include any lease payments made prior to the rent commencement date and exclude lease incentives. Our leases have remaining lease terms of one year to 11 years. Lease terms may include options to extend the lease term used in determining the lease obligation when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term for operating leases.

The following table present the cumulative effect of the changes made to the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of January 1, 2019, as a result of the adoption of ASC 842:

	December 31, 2018		Adjustments due to ASC 842			January 1, 2019

Operating lease right-of-use asset	$	-	$	37,993		$	37,993
Current portion of operating lease liability	$	-	$	8,999		$	8,999
Other short-term liabilities	$	968	$	(968	)	$	-
Long-term portion of operating lease liability	$	-	$	33,372		$	33,372
Accrued rent	$	3,410	$	(3,410	)	$	-

Our operating lease cost for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $3.6 and $10.9 million, respectively. The ROU asset amortization is included in other assets in the condensed consolidated cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

Supplemental cash flow information and non-cash activity related to our operating leases are as follows:

	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2019		For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
Operating cash flow information:
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities	$	3,674	$	11,277
Non-cash activity:
Lease liabilities arising from obtaining right-of-use assets*	$	2,811	$	51,445

* Includes effect of adoption of ASU 2016-02 and related amendments and a new lease entered into on January 1, 2019 of $5.6 million.

On August 1, 2019 there was a lease re-measurement of $3.0 million.

Weighted-average remaining lease term and discount rate for our operating leases is as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term	5.75 years
Weighted-average discount rate		14.34	%

Maturities of lease liabilities by fiscal year for our operating leases as of September 30, 2019 are as follows:

Year ending December 31,
2019 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2019)	$	3,828
2020		14,452
2021		11,804
2022		9,344
2023		6,997
2024		3,980
Thereafter		15,924
Total lease payments		66,329
Less: imputed interest		(21,298	)
Present value of lease liabilities	$	45,031

As of December 31, 2018, minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases by period were expected to be as follows:

2019	$	16,939
2020		14,183
2021		10,708
2022		8,180
2023		5,811
Thereafter		17,610
	$	73,431

GOODWILL AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

GOODWILL AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS [Abstract]

GOODWILL AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS

5.	GOODWILL AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS

The Company reviews long-lived assets for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. There were no long-lived asset impairments during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018.

The Company reviews goodwill and intangible assets for impairment when indicators of impairment exist. Annually, or more frequently if necessary, the Company evaluates goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment, with any resulting impairment reflected as an operating expense. The Company concluded that, as of September 30, 2019 and 2018, there were no indicators of potential impairment and, accordingly, the Company did not test goodwill for impairment.

The carrying amount of goodwill at September 30, 2019 and 2018 is as follows:

	Gross Goodwill Balance		Accumulated Impairment Losses			Net Goodwill Balance
Balance as of January 1, 2019	$	117,176	$	(102,640	)	$	14,536
Adjustments		-		-			-
Balance as of September 30, 2019	$	117,176	$	(102,640	)	$	14,536

	Gross Goodwill Balance		Accumulated Impairment Losses			Net Goodwill Balance
Balance as of January 1, 2018	$	117,176	$	(102,640	)	$	14,536
Adjustments		-		-			-
Balance as of September 30, 2018	$	117,176	$	(102,640	)	$	14,536

As of September 30, 2019 and 2018, the goodwill balance is related to the Transportation and Skilled Trades segment.

LONG-TERM DEBT

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

LONG-TERM DEBT [Abstract]

LONG-TERM DEBT

6.	LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt consists of the following:

	September 30, 2019			December 31, 2018
Credit agreement and term loan	$	27,133		$	49,301
Auto loan		46			-
Deferred financing fees		(277	)		(532	)
		26,902			48,769
Less current maturities		(7,117	)		(15,000	)
	$	19,785		$	33,769

On March 31, 2017, the Company obtained a secured credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) from Sterling National Bank (the “Bank”) pursuant to a Credit Agreement dated March 31, 2017 among the Company, the Company’s subsidiaries and the Bank, which was subsequently amended on November 29, 2017, February 23, 2018, July 11, 2018 and, most recently, on March 6, 2019 (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”). Prior to the most recent amendment of the Credit Agreement (the “Fourth Amendment”), the financial accommodations available to the Company under the Credit Agreement consisted of (a) a $25 million revolving loan facility designated as “Facility 1”, (b) a $25 million revolving loan facility (including a sublimit amount for letters of credit of $10 million) designated as “Facility 2” and (c) a $15 million revolving credit loan designated as “Facility 3”.

Pursuant to the terms of the Fourth Amendment and upon its effectiveness, Facility 1 was converted into a term loan (the “Term Loan”) in the original principal amount of $22.7 million (such amount being the entire unpaid principal and accrued interest outstanding under Facility 1 as of the effective date of the Fourth Amendment), which matures on March 31, 2024 (the “Term Loan Maturity Date”). The Term Loan is being repaid in monthly installments as follows: (a) on April 1, 2019 and on the same day of each month thereafter through and including June 30, 2019, accrued interest only; (b) on July 1, 2019 and on the same day of each month thereafter through and including December 31, 2019, the principal amount of $0.2 million plus accrued interest; (c) on January 1, 2020 and on the same day of each month thereafter through and including June 30, 2020, accrued interest only; (d) on July 1, 2020 and on the same day of each month thereafter through and including December 31, 2020, the principal amount of $0.6 million plus accrued interest; (e) on January 1, 2021 and on the same day of each month thereafter through and including June 30, 2021, accrued interest only; (f) on July 1, 2021 and on the same day of each month thereafter through and including December 31, 2021, the principal amount of $0.4 million plus accrued interest; (g) on January 1, 2022 and on the same day of each month thereafter through and including June 30, 2022, accrued interest only; (h) on July 1, 2022 and on the same day of each month thereafter through and including December 31, 2022, the principal amount of $0.4 million plus accrued interest; (i) on January 1, 2023 and on the same day of each month thereafter through and including June 30, 2023, accrued interest only; (j) on July 1, 2023 and on the same day of each month thereafter through and including December 31, 2023, the principal amount of $0.4 million plus accrued interest; (k) on January 1, 2024 and on the same day of each month thereafter through and including the Term Loan Maturity Date, accrued interest only; and (l) on the Term Loan Maturity Date, the remaining outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan, together with accrued interest, will be due and payable. In the event of a sale of any campus, school or business permitted under the Credit Agreement, 25% of the net proceeds of any such sale must be used to pay down the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan in inverse order of maturity.

The maturity date of Facility 2 is April 30, 2020. Facility 3 matured on May 31, 2019, unused, and is no longer available for borrowing.

Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, all draws under Facility 2 for letters of credit or revolving loans must be secured by cash collateral in an amount equal to 100% of the aggregate stated amount of the letters of credit issued and revolving loans outstanding through the proceeds of the Term Loan or other available cash of the Company. Notwithstanding such requirement, pursuant to the terms of the Fourth Amendment, a $2.5 million revolving loan was advanced under Facility 2 at the closing of the Fourth Amendment on March 6, 2019 and an additional $1.25 million on both April 17, 2019 and July 26, 2019, respectively, without any requirement for cash collateral. The $5 million in revolving loans advanced under Facility 2 was repaid on November 1, 2019, as required by the Credit Agreement, and, prior to their repayment, the Company made monthly payments of accrued interest only on such revolving loans.

The Term Loan bears interest at a rate per annum equal to the greater of (x) the Bank’s prime rate plus 2.85% and (y) 6.00%. Revolving loans advanced under Facility 2 that are cash collateralized will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the greater of (x) the Bank’s prime rate and (y) 3.50%. Pursuant to the Fourth Amendment, revolving loans advanced under Facility 2 that are not secured by cash collateral will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the greater of (x) the Bank’s prime rate plus 2.85% and (y) 6.00%.

The Bank is entitled to receive an unused facility fee on the average daily unused balance of Facility 2 at a rate per annum equal to 0.50%, which fee is payable quarterly in arrears.

In the event the Bank’s prime rate is greater than or equal to 6.50% while any loans are outstanding, the Company may be required to enter into a hedging contract in form and content satisfactory to the Bank.

The Company is required to give the Bank the first opportunity to provide any and all traditional banking services required by the Company, including, but not limited to, treasury management, loans and other financing services, on terms mutually acceptable to the Company and the Bank, in accordance with the terms set forth in the Fourth Amendment. In the event that loans provided under the Credit Agreement are repaid through replacement financing, the Company must pay to the Bank an exit fee in an amount equal to 1.25% of the total amount repaid and the face amount of all letters of credit replaced in connection with the replacement financing; provided, however, that no exit fee will be required in the event the Bank or the Bank’s affiliate arranges or provides the replacement financing or the payoff of the applicable loans occurs after March 5, 2021.

In connection with the effectiveness of the Fourth Amendment, the Company paid to the Bank a one-time modification fee in the amount of $50,000.

Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, in December 2018, the net proceeds of the sale of the Mangonia Park Property, which were held in a non-interest bearing cash collateral account at and by the Bank as additional collateral for the loans outstanding under the Credit Agreement, were applied to the outstanding principal balance of revolving loans outstanding under Facility 1 and, as a result of such repayment, the loan availability under Facility 1 was permanently reduced to a $22.7 million term loan.

The Credit Facility is secured by a first priority lien in favor of the Bank on substantially all of the personal property owned by the Company and mortgages on four parcels of real property owned by the Company in Colorado, Tennessee and Texas, at which three of the Company’s schools are located, as well as a former school property owned by the Company located in Connecticut.

Each issuance of a letter of credit under Facility 2 will require the payment of a letter of credit fee to the Bank equal to a rate per annum of 1.75% on the daily amount available to be drawn under the letter of credit, which fee shall be payable in quarterly installments in arrears. Letters of credit that were outstanding under a $9.5 million letter of credit facility previously provided to the Company by the Bank, which letter of credit facility was set to mature on April 1, 2017, are treated as letters of credit under Facility 2.

The terms of the Credit Agreement require the Company to maintain, on deposit in one or more non-interest bearing accounts, a minimum of $5 million in quarterly average aggregate balances, which, if not maintained, results in a fee of $12,500 payable to the Bank for that quarter.

In addition to the foregoing, the Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants and events of default customary for facilities of this type. As of September 30, 2019, the Company is in compliance with all covenants, including financial covenants that (i) restrict capital expenditures tested on a fiscal year end basis; (ii) prohibit the incurrence of a net loss commencing on December 31, 2019; and (iii) require a minimum adjusted EBITDA tested quarterly on a rolling twelve month basis. The Fourth Amendment (i) modifies the minimum adjusted EBITDA required; (ii) eliminates the requirement for a minimum funded debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio; and (iii) requires the maintenance of a maximum funded debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio tested quarterly on a rolling twelve month basis.

As of September 30, 2019, the Company had $27.1 million outstanding under the Credit Facility; offset by $0.3 million of deferred finance fees. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had $49.3 million outstanding under the Credit Facility, offset by $0.5 million of deferred finance fees, which were written-off. As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, letters of credit in the aggregate outstanding principal amount of $4.0 million and $1.8 million, respectively, were outstanding under the Credit Facility.

Subsequent to the end of the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2019, on November 14, 2019, the Credit Facility was replaced by a new $60 million credit facility between the Company and the Bank. See Part II, Item 5 Other Information for details regarding the replacement credit facility.

Scheduled maturities of long-term debt including the short-term portion at September 30, 2019 are as follows:

Year ending December 31,
2019 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2019)	$	5,567
2020		3,451
2021		2,270
2022		2,270
2023		2,270
Thereafter		11,351
	$	27,179

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

7.	STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Restricted Stock

The Company has two stock incentive plans: a Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”) and a Non-Employee Directors Restricted Stock Plan (the “Non-Employee Directors Plan”).

Under the LTIP, certain employees receive awards of restricted shares of common stock based on service and performance. The number of shares granted to each employee is based on the amount of the award and the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant.

On February 28, 2019, restricted shares were granted to certain employees of the Company, which shares ratably vest over three years. There is no restriction on the right to vote or the right to receive dividends with respect to any of such restricted shares.

Pursuant to the Non-Employee Directors Plan, each non-employee director of the Company receives an annual award of restricted shares of common stock on the date of the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders. The number of shares granted to each non-employee director is based on the fair market value of a share of common stock on that date. The restricted shares vest on the first anniversary of the grant date. There is no restriction on the right to vote or the right to receive dividends with respect to any of such restricted shares.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company completed a net share settlement for 5,518 and 207,642 restricted shares, respectively, on behalf of certain employees that participate in the LTIP upon the vesting of the restricted shares pursuant to the terms of the LTIP. The net share settlement was in connection with income taxes incurred on restricted shares that vested and were transferred to the employees during 2019 and/or 2018, creating taxable income for the employees. At the employees’ request, the Company will pay these taxes on behalf of the employees in exchange for the employees returning an equivalent value of restricted shares to the Company. These transactions resulted in a decrease of less than $0.1 million and $0.4 million for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, to equity on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as the cash payment of the taxes effectively was a repurchase of the restricted shares granted in previous years.

The following is a summary of transactions pertaining to restricted stock:

	Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Nonvested restricted stock outstanding at December 31, 2018		35,908		$	2.23
Granted		598,982			3.15
Canceled		(3,546	)		3.17
Vested		(35,908	)		2.23

Nonvested restricted stock outstanding at September 30, 2019		595,436			3.15

The restricted stock expense for each of the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 was $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively. The restricted stock expense for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 was $0.5 million and $0.5 million, respectively. The unrecognized restricted stock expense as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was $1.4 million and $0.1 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2019, outstanding restricted shares under the LTIP had aggregate intrinsic value of $1.2 million.

Stock Options

The fair value of the stock options used to compute stock-based compensation is the estimated present value at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following is a summary of transactions pertaining to stock options:

	Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Outstanding at December 31, 2018		139,000		$	12.14	2.53 years		$	-
Canceled		(6,000	)		20.62		-
Granted/Vested		-			-				-

Outstanding at September 30, 2019		133,000			11.76	1.83 years			-

Vested as of September 30, 2019		133,000			11.76	1.83 years			-

Exercisable as of September 30, 2019		133,000			11.76	1.83 years			-

As of September 30, 2019, there was no unrecognized pre-tax compensation expense.

The following table presents a summary of stock options outstanding:

	At September 30, 2019
	Stock Options Outstanding						Stock Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices	Shares		Contractual Weighted Average Life (years)		Weighted Average Price		Shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price
$4.00-$13.99		91,000		2.42	$	7.79		91,000	$	7.79
$14.00-$19.99		17,000		0.09		19.98		17,000		19.98
$20.00-$25.00		25,000		0.85		20.62		25,000		20.62

		133,000		1.83		11.76		133,000		11.76

INCOME TAXES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

INCOME TAXES [Abstract]

INCOME TAXES

8.	INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 was $0.1 million, or 3.6% of pretax income, and less than $0.1 million, or 9.1% of pretax loss, respectively. The provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 was $0.2 million, or 3.5% of pretax loss, and $0.2 million, or 1.3% of pretax loss, respectively.

The Company assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to recover the existing deferred tax assets. In this regard, a significant objective negative evidence was the cumulative losses incurred by the Company in recent years. On the basis of this evaluation, the realization of the Company’s deferred tax assets was not deemed to be more likely than not and, thus, the Company maintained a full valuation allowance on its net deferred tax assets as of September 30, 2019 except deferred tax liability related to indefinite lived intangibles for which, the valuation allowance was reduced by $0.1 million and a corresponding deferred tax expense was recognized as of September 30, 2019.

CONTINGENCIES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]

CONTINGENCIES

9.	CONTINGENCIES

In the ordinary conduct of its business, the Company is subject to certain lawsuits, investigations and claims, including, but not limited to, claims involving students or graduates and routine employment matters. Although the Company cannot predict with certainty the ultimate resolution of lawsuits, investigations and claims asserted against it, the Company does not believe that any currently pending legal proceedings to which it is a party will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations or cash flows.

Information regarding certain specific legal proceedings in which the Company is involved is contained in Part II, Item 1, and in Note 9 to the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2019. Unless otherwise indicated in this report, all proceedings discussed in the earlier report which are not indicated therein as having been concluded, remain outstanding as of September 30, 2019.

As previously reported, on July 6, 2018, the Company received an administrative subpoena from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey (“NJ OAG”). Pursuant to the subpoena, the NJ OAG requested certain documents and detailed information relating to the November 21, 2012 Civil Investigative Demand letter addressed to the Company by the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General (“MOAG”) that resulted in a previously reported Final Judgment by Consent between the Company and the MOAG dated July 13, 2015. The Company responded to this request and, by letter dated April 11, 2019, the NJ OAG issued a supplemental subpoena requesting additional information for the time period from April 11, 2014 to the present. The Company submitted its response to the supplemental subpoena. Subsequently, by email dated August 20, 2019, the NJ OAG requested additional records of the Company from the years 2012 and 2013. The Company has responded to the NJ OAG’s most recent record request and is continuing to cooperate with the NJ OAG.

SEGMENTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

SEGMENTS [Abstract]

SEGMENTS

10.

SEGMENTS

The for-profit education industry has been impacted by numerous regulatory changes, a changing economy and an onslaught of negative media attention. As a result of these challenges, student populations have declined and operating costs have increased. Over the past few years, the Company has closed over ten locations and exited its online business.

In August 2018, the Company decided to cease operations, effective December 31, 2018, of its Lincoln College of New England (“LCNE”) campus at Southington, Connecticut. The Company completed the teach-out and exited the LCNE campus on December 31, 2018. LCNE results, which was previously reported in the HOPS segment, is now included in the Transitional segment for all periods presented.

In the past, we offered any combination of programs at any campus. We have shifted our focus to program offerings that create greater differentiation among campuses and promote attainment of excellence to attract more students and gain market share. Also, strategically, we began offering continuing education training to select employers who hire our graduates and this is best achieved at campuses focused on the applicable profession.

As a result of the regulatory environment, market forces and our strategic decisions, we now operate our business in three reportable segments: (a) the Transportation and Skilled Trades segment; (b) the Healthcare and Other Professions segment; and (c) the Transitional segment. Our reportable segments have been determined based on a method by which we now evaluate performance and allocate resources. Each reportable segment represents a group of post-secondary education providers that offer a variety of degree and non-degree academic programs. These segments are organized by key market segments to enhance operational alignment within each segment to more effectively execute our strategic plan. Each of the Company’s schools is a reporting unit and an operating segment. Our operating segments are described below.

Transportation and Skilled Trades – The Transportation and Skilled Trades segment offers academic programs mainly in the career-oriented disciplines of transportation and skilled trades (e.g. automotive, diesel, HVAC, welding and manufacturing).

Healthcare and Other Professions – The Healthcare and Other Professions segment offers academic programs in the career-oriented disciplines of health sciences, hospitality and business and information technology (e.g. dental assistant, medical assistant, practical nursing, culinary arts and cosmetology).

Transitional – The Transitional segment refers to campuses that are being taught-out and closed and operations that are being phased out. The schools in the Transitional segment employ a gradual teach-out process that enables the schools to continue to operate to allow their current students to complete their course of study. These schools are no longer enrolling new students.

The Company continually evaluates each campus for profitability, earning potential, and customer satisfaction. This evaluation takes several factors into consideration, including the campus’s geographic location and program offerings, as well as skillsets required of our students by their potential employers. The purpose of this evaluation is to ensure that our programs provide our students with the best possible opportunity to succeed in the marketplace with the goals of attracting more students to our programs and, ultimately, to provide our shareholders with the maximum return on their investment. Campuses in the Transitional segment have been subject to this process and have been strategically identified for closure.

We evaluate segment performance based on operating results. Adjustments to reconcile segment results to consolidated results are included under the caption “Corporate,” which primarily includes unallocated corporate activity.

Summary financial information by reporting segment is as follows:

	For the Three Months Ended September 30,
	Revenue										Operating Income (Loss)
	2019		% of Total			2018		% of Total			2019			2018
Transportation and Skilled Trades	$	52,652		72.5	%	$	51,008		72.8	%	$	6,752		$	6,330
Healthcare and Other Professions		19,942		27.5	%		18,249		26.0	%		1,403			830
Transitional		-		0.0	%		821		1.2	%		-			(1,863	)
Corporate		-		0.0	%		-		0.0	%		(6,012	)		(5,221	)
Total	$	72,594		100.0	%	$	70,078		100.0	%	$	2,143		$	76

	For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
	Revenue										Operating Income (Loss)
	2019		% of Total			2018		% of Total			2019			2018
Transportation and Skilled Trades	$	141,005		70.7	%	$	135,838		70.4	%	$	11,051		$	8,747
Healthcare and Other Professions		58,422		29.3	%		52,554		27.2	%		4,214			2,747
Transitional		-		0.0	%		4,695		2.4	%		-			(2,899	)
Corporate		-		0.0	%		-		0.0	%		(20,079	)		(18,305	)
Total	$	199,427		100.0	%	$	193,087		100.0	%	$	(4,814	)	$	(9,710	)

	Total Assets
	September 30, 2019		December 31, 2018
Transportation and Skilled Trades	$	111,132	$	92,070
Healthcare and Other Professions		27,926		14,078
Transitional		-		527
Corporate		22,679		39,363
Total	$	161,737	$	146,038

FAIR VALUE

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

FAIR VALUE [Abstract]

FAIR VALUE

11.	FAIR VALUE

The carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instrument assets and liabilities, which are not measured at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, are listed in the table below:

	September 30, 2019
	Carrying Amount		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
Financial Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	11,757	$	11,757	$	-	$	-	$	11,757
Restricted cash		3,997		3,997		-		-		3,997
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		4,257		-		4,257		-		4,257

Financial Liabilities:
Accrued expenses	$	9,523	$	-	$	9,523	$	-	$	9,523
Other short term liabilities		595		-		595		-		595
Credit facility and term loan		26,902		-		20,182		-		20,182

We estimate the fair value of the Credit Facility based on a present value analysis utilizing aggregate market yields obtained from independent pricing sources for similar financial instruments.

The carrying amounts reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Cash and cash equivalents, Restricted cash and Noncurrent restricted cash approximate fair value because they are highly liquid.

The carrying amounts reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Prepaid expenses and other current assets, Accrued expenses and Other short term liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these items.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS [Abstract]

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

12.	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

(a) Sale of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock.

On November 14, 2019, the Company raised gross proceeds of $12,700,000 from the sale of 12,700 shares of its newly-designated Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, no par value per share. See Part II, Item 5 Other Information “Sale of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock” for a description of the transaction and the rights of the Series A Preferred Stock and the holders thereof.

(b) Replacement Credit Facility with Sterling National Bank

On November 14, 2019, the Company entered into a new senior secured credit agreement with its lender, Sterling National Bank. See Part II, Item 5 Other Information “$60 Million Credit Facility with Sterling National Bank” for a description of the new credit facility.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	9 Months Ended
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	Sep. 30, 2019
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Business Activities	Business Activities— Lincoln Educational Services Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”, “we”, “our” and “us”, as applicable) provide diversified career-oriented post-secondary education to recent high school graduates and working adults. The Company, which currently operates 22 schools in 14 states, offers programs in automotive technology, skilled trades (which include HVAC, welding and computerized numerical control and electrical and electronic systems technology, among other programs), healthcare services (which include nursing, dental assistant and medical administrative assistant, among other programs), hospitality services (which include culinary, therapeutic massage, cosmetology and aesthetics) and information technology programs. The schools operate under Lincoln Technical Institute, Lincoln College of Technology, Lincoln Culinary Institute, and Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts and Sciences and associated brand names. Most of the campuses serve major metropolitan markets and each typically offers courses in multiple areas of study. Five of the campuses are destination schools, which attract students from across the United States and, in some cases, from abroad. The Company’s other campuses primarily attract students from their local communities and surrounding areas. All of the campuses are nationally or regionally accredited and are eligible to participate in federal financial aid programs managed by the U.S. Department of Education (the “DOE”) and applicable state education agencies and accrediting commissions, which allow students to apply for and access federal student loans as well as other forms of financial aid. The Company’s business is organized into three reportable business segments: (a) Transportation and Skilled Trades, (b) Healthcare and Other Professions (“HOPS”), and (c) Transitional, which refers to businesses that have been taught out. In August 2018, New England Institute of Technology at Palm Beach, Inc. (“NEIT”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, sold to Elite Property Enterprise, LLC the real property owned by NEIT located at 1126 53rd Court North, Mangonia Park, Palm Beach County, Florida and the improvements and certain personal property located thereon (the “Mangonia Park Property”), for a cash purchase price of $2,550,000. At the closing, NEIT paid a real estate brokerage fee equal to 5% of the gross sales price and other customary closing costs and expenses. Pursuant to the provisions of the Company’s credit agreement with its lender, Sterling National Bank, the net cash proceeds of the sale of the Mangonia Park Property were deposited into an account with the lender to serve as additional security for loans and other financial accommodations provided to the Company and its subsidiaries under the credit facility. In December 2018, the funds were used to repay the outstanding principal balance of the loans outstanding under the credit facility and such repayment permanently reduced the loan outstanding under the credit facility designated as Facility 1 under the Company’s credit agreement to a $22.7 million term loan. Effective December 31, 2018, the Company completed the teach-out and ceased operation of its Lincoln College of New England (“LCNE”) campus at Southington, Connecticut. The decision to close the LCNE campus followed the previously reported placement of LCNE on probation by the college’s institutional accreditor, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (“NEASC”). After evaluating alternative options, the Company concluded that teaching out and closing the campus was in the best interest of the Company and its students. Subsequent to formalizing the LCNE closure decision in August 2018, the Company partnered with Goodwin College, another NEASC- accredited institution in the region, to assist LCNE students to complete their programs of study. The majority of the LCNE students will continue their education at Goodwin College thereby limiting some of the Company’s closing costs. The Company recorded closing costs associated with the closure of the LCNE campus in 2018 of approximately $1.6 million in connection with the termination of the LCNE campus lease, which is the net present value of the remaining obligation, to be paid in equal monthly installments through January 2020 and approximately $0.7 million of severance payments. LCNE results, previously reported in the HOPS segment, were included in the Transitional segment as of December 31, 2018.
Liquidity	Liquidity— For the last several years, the Company and the proprietary school sector have faced deteriorating earnings. Government regulations have negatively impacted earnings by making it more difficult for potential students to obtain loans, which, when coupled with the overall economic environment, have discouraged potential students from enrolling in post-secondary schools. In light of these factors, for the last several years, the Company has incurred significant operating losses as a result of lower student population. Despite these challenges, the Company believes that its likely sources of cash should be sufficient to fund operations for the next twelve months and thereafter for the foreseeable future. At September 30, 2019, the Company’s sources of cash primarily included cash and cash equivalents of $15.8 million (of which $4.0 million is restricted). The Company is also continuing to take actions to improve cash flow by aligning its cost structure to its student population.
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation – The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been omitted or condensed pursuant to such regulations. These statements, which should be read in conjunction with the December 31, 2018 consolidated financial statements and related disclosures of the Company included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for such periods. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year ending December 31, 2019. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements	Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates the estimates and assumptions including those related to revenue recognition, bad debts, impairments, fixed assets, discount rate for lease liabilities, income taxes, benefit plans and certain accruals. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.
New Accounting Pronouncements	New Accounting Pronouncements – In July 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2019-07, “Codification Updates to SEC Sections,” to reflect the recently adopted amendments to the SEC final rules that were done to modernize and simplify certain reporting requirements for public companies, investment advisers and investment companies. This ASU is effective upon issuance and did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” and subsequently issued additional guidance that modified ASU 2016-13. ASU 2016-13 and the subsequent modifications are identified as Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 326. The standard requires an entity to change its accounting approach in determining impairment of certain financial instruments, including trade receivables, from an “incurred loss” to a “current expected credit loss” model. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within such fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently assessing the effect that ASC 326 will have on our financial position, results of operations, and disclosures. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans – General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans.” This ASU adds, modifies and clarifies several disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. This guidance is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2018-14 will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, “Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement”, which eliminates, adds and modifies certain fair value measurement disclosure requirements of Accounting Standards Codification 820, Fair Value Measurement. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU No. 2018-13 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, “Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” intended to reduce cost and complexity and to improve financial reporting for share-based payments issued to nonemployees. This ASU expands the scope of Topic 718, “Compensation - Stock Compensation”, to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. An entity should apply the requirements of Topic 718 to nonemployee awards except for specific guidance on inputs to an option pricing model and the attribution of cost. The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-07 on January 1, 2019. The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, “Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)”. The updated guidance allows entities to reclassify stranded income tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings in their consolidated financial statements. Under the Tax Act, deferred taxes were adjusted to reflect the reduction of the historical corporate income tax rate to the newly enacted corporate income tax rate, which left the tax effects on items within accumulated other comprehensive income stranded at an inappropriate tax rate. The updated guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those years. The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-02 on January 1, 2019 and it did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases.” This guidance amends the existing accounting considerations and treatments for leases through the creation of Topic 842, Leases, to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring the recognition of right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet. Lessees and lessors are required to disclose qualitative and quantitative information about leasing arrangements to enable a user of the financial statements to assess the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from such leases. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-10, “Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases” to further clarify, correct and consolidate various areas previously discussed in ASU 2016-02. FASB also issued ASU No. 2018-11, “Leases: Targeted Improvements” to provide entities another option for transition and lessors with a practical expedient. The transition option allows entities to not apply ASU No. 2016-02 in comparative periods in the financial statements in the year of adoption. The practical expedient offers lessors an option to not separate non-lease components from the associated lease components when certain criteria are met. The amendments in ASU No. 2016-02, ASU No. 2018-10 and ASU No. 2018-11 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and allow for modified retrospective adoption with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02 and the related amendments on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach and elected the transition relief package of practical expedients by applying previous accounting conclusions under ASC 840 to all leases that existed prior to the transition date. As a result, the Company did not reassess (1) whether existing or expired contracts contain leases, (2) lease classification for any existing or expired leases or (3) whether lease origination costs qualified as initial direct costs. The Company did not elect the practical expedient to use hindsight in determining a lease term and impairment of the right-of-use (“ROU”) assets at the adoption date. The Company did not separate lease components from non-lease components for the specified asset classes. The election applies to all operating leases where fixed rent payments incorporate common area maintenance. For leases where the election does not apply, the common area maintenance is billed by the landlord separately. Additionally, the Company did not apply the recognition requirements under ASC 842 to short-term leases, generally defined as leases with terms of less than one year. The Company has operating leases for its corporate office and schools. The Company does not have any finance leases.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation – The Company measures the value of stock options on the grant date at fair value, using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The Company amortizes the fair value of stock options, net of estimated forfeitures, utilizing straight-line amortization of compensation expense over the requisite service period of the grant. The Company measures the value of service and performance-based restricted stock on the fair value of a share of common stock on the date of the grant. The Company amortizes the fair value of service-based restricted stock utilizing straight-line amortization of compensation expense over the requisite service period of the grant. The Company amortizes the fair value of the performance-based restricted stock based on the determination of the probable outcome of the performance condition. If the performance condition is expected to be met, then the Company amortizes the fair value of the number of shares expected to vest utilizing straight-line basis over the requisite performance period of the grant. However, if the associated performance condition is not expected to be met, then the Company does not recognize the stock-based compensation expense.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes – The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes”. This statement requires an asset and a liability approach for measuring deferred taxes based on temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities existing at each balance sheet date using enacted tax rates for years in which taxes are expected to be paid or recovered. In accordance with ASC 740, the Company assesses our deferred tax asset to determine whether all or any portion of the asset is more likely than not unrealizable. A valuation allowance is required to be established or maintained when, based on currently available information, it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. In accordance with ASC 740, our assessment considers whether there has been sufficient income in recent years and whether sufficient income is expected in future years in order to utilize the deferred tax asset. In evaluating the realizability of deferred income tax assets, the Company considered, among other things, historical levels of income, expected future income, the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary reporting differences, and the expected impact of tax planning strategies that may be implemented to prevent the potential loss of future income tax benefits. Significant judgment is required in determining the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our consolidated financial statements and/or tax returns. Differences between anticipated and actual outcomes of these future tax consequences could have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. Changes in, among other things, income tax legislation, statutory income tax rates, or future income levels could materially impact the Company’s valuation of income tax assets and liabilities and could cause our income tax provision to vary significantly among financial reporting periods.

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for income taxes, which may include its accounting policies for recognizing and measuring deferred tax assets and liabilities and related valuation allowances, recognizing investment tax credits, operating loss carryforwards, tax credit carryforwards, and other carryforwards, methodologies for determining its effective income tax rate and the characterization of interest and penalties in the financial statements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 20
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Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 954
-SubTopic 740
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
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Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Section 50
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Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
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-Paragraph 17
-Subparagraph (b)
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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116657188&loc=SL116659661-227067

Reference 6: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 7: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Reference 8: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Reference 9: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65884525&loc=d3e40913-109327

+ Details

REVENUE RECOGNITION (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

REVENUE RECOGNITION [Abstract]

Depicts Timing of Revenue Recognition

The following table depicts the timing of revenue recognition:

	Three months ended September 30, 2019								Nine months ended September 30, 2019
	Transportation and Skilled Trades Segment		Healthcare and Other Professions Segment		Transitional Segment		Consolidated		Transportation and Skilled Trades Segment		Healthcare and Other Professions Segment		Transitional Segment		Consolidated
Timing of Revenue Recognition
Services transferred at a point in time	$	4,792	$	1,308	$	-	$	6,100	$	9,360	$	3,541	$	-	$	12,901
Services transferred over time		47,860		18,634		-		66,494		131,646		54,880		-		186,526
Total revenues	$	52,652	$	19,942	$	-	$	72,594	$	141,006	$	58,421	$	-	$	199,427

	Three months ended September 30, 2018								Nine months ended September 30, 2018
	Transportation and Skilled Trades Segment		Healthcare and Other Professions Segment		Transitional Segment		Consolidated		Transportation and Skilled Trades Segment		Healthcare and Other Professions Segment		Transitional Segment		Consolidated
Timing of Revenue Recognition
Services transferred at a point in time	$	4,514	$	1,162	$	56	$	5,732	$	8,219	$	2,847	$	62	$	11,128
Services transferred over time		46,492		17,089		765		64,346		127,619		49,707		4,633		181,959
Total revenues	$	51,006	$	18,251	$	821	$	70,078	$	135,838	$	52,554	$	4,695	$	193,087

LEASES (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

LEASES [Abstract]

Cumulative Effect of Changes Made to Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

The following table present the cumulative effect of the changes made to the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of January 1, 2019, as a result of the adoption of ASC 842:

	December 31, 2018		Adjustments due to ASC 842			January 1, 2019

Operating lease right-of-use asset	$	-	$	37,993		$	37,993
Current portion of operating lease liability	$	-	$	8,999		$	8,999
Other short-term liabilities	$	968	$	(968	)	$	-
Long-term portion of operating lease liability	$	-	$	33,372		$	33,372
Accrued rent	$	3,410	$	(3,410	)	$	-

Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Non-cash Activity Related to Operating Leases

Supplemental cash flow information and non-cash activity related to our operating leases are as follows:

	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2019		For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
Operating cash flow information:
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities	$	3,674	$	11,277
Non-cash activity:
Lease liabilities arising from obtaining right-of-use assets*	$	2,811	$	51,445

* Includes effect of adoption of ASU 2016-02 and related amendments and a new lease entered into on January 1, 2019 of $5.6 million.

Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term and Discount Rate

Weighted-average remaining lease term and discount rate for our operating leases is as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term	5.75 years
Weighted-average discount rate		14.34	%

Maturities of Lease Liabilities

Maturities of lease liabilities by fiscal year for our operating leases as of September 30, 2019 are as follows:

Year ending December 31,
2019 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2019)	$	3,828
2020		14,452
2021		11,804
2022		9,344
2023		6,997
2024		3,980
Thereafter		15,924
Total lease payments		66,329
Less: imputed interest		(21,298	)
Present value of lease liabilities	$	45,031

Minimum Lease Payments under Non-cancellable Operating Lease

As of December 31, 2018, minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases by period were expected to be as follows:

2019	$	16,939
2020		14,183
2021		10,708
2022		8,180
2023		5,811
Thereafter		17,610
	$	73,431

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

LONG-TERM DEBT [Abstract]

Long-term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:

	September 30, 2019			December 31, 2018
Credit agreement and term loan	$	27,133		$	49,301
Auto loan		46			-
Deferred financing fees		(277	)		(532	)
		26,902			48,769
Less current maturities		(7,117	)		(15,000	)
	$	19,785		$	33,769

Maturities of Long-term Debt

Scheduled maturities of long-term debt including the short-term portion at September 30, 2019 are as follows:

Year ending December 31,
2019 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2019)	$	5,567
2020		3,451
2021		2,270
2022		2,270
2023		2,270
Thereafter		11,351
	$	27,179

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of long-debt instruments or arrangements, including identification, terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation. These are debt arrangements that originally required repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the entity, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
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+ Details

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]

Transactions Pertaining to Restricted Stock

The following is a summary of transactions pertaining to restricted stock:

	Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Nonvested restricted stock outstanding at December 31, 2018		35,908		$	2.23
Granted		598,982			3.15
Canceled		(3,546	)		3.17
Vested		(35,908	)		2.23

Nonvested restricted stock outstanding at September 30, 2019		595,436			3.15

Transactions Pertaining to Option Plans

The following is a summary of transactions pertaining to stock options:

	Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Outstanding at December 31, 2018		139,000		$	12.14	2.53 years		$	-
Canceled		(6,000	)		20.62		-
Granted/Vested		-			-				-

Outstanding at September 30, 2019		133,000			11.76	1.83 years			-

Vested as of September 30, 2019		133,000			11.76	1.83 years			-

Exercisable as of September 30, 2019		133,000			11.76	1.83 years			-

Options Outstanding

The following table presents a summary of stock options outstanding:

	At September 30, 2019
	Stock Options Outstanding						Stock Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices	Shares		Contractual Weighted Average Life (years)		Weighted Average Price		Shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price
$4.00-$13.99		91,000		2.42	$	7.79		91,000	$	7.79
$14.00-$19.99		17,000		0.09		19.98		17,000		19.98
$20.00-$25.00		25,000		0.85		20.62		25,000		20.62

		133,000		1.83		11.76		133,000		11.76

SEGMENTS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

SEGMENTS [Abstract]

Financial Information by Reporting Segment

Summary financial information by reporting segment is as follows:

	For the Three Months Ended September 30,
	Revenue										Operating Income (Loss)
	2019		% of Total			2018		% of Total			2019			2018
Transportation and Skilled Trades	$	52,652		72.5	%	$	51,008		72.8	%	$	6,752		$	6,330
Healthcare and Other Professions		19,942		27.5	%		18,249		26.0	%		1,403			830
Transitional		-		0.0	%		821		1.2	%		-			(1,863	)
Corporate		-		0.0	%		-		0.0	%		(6,012	)		(5,221	)
Total	$	72,594		100.0	%	$	70,078		100.0	%	$	2,143		$	76

	For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
	Revenue										Operating Income (Loss)
	2019		% of Total			2018		% of Total			2019			2018
Transportation and Skilled Trades	$	141,005		70.7	%	$	135,838		70.4	%	$	11,051		$	8,747
Healthcare and Other Professions		58,422		29.3	%		52,554		27.2	%		4,214			2,747
Transitional		-		0.0	%		4,695		2.4	%		-			(2,899	)
Corporate		-		0.0	%		-		0.0	%		(20,079	)		(18,305	)
Total	$	199,427		100.0	%	$	193,087		100.0	%	$	(4,814	)	$	(9,710	)

	Total Assets
	September 30, 2019		December 31, 2018
Transportation and Skilled Trades	$	111,132	$	92,070
Healthcare and Other Professions		27,926		14,078
Transitional		-		527
Corporate		22,679		39,363
Total	$	161,737	$	146,038

FAIR VALUE (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

FAIR VALUE [Abstract]

Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping

	September 30, 2019
	Carrying Amount		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
Financial Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	11,757	$	11,757	$	-	$	-	$	11,757
Restricted cash		3,997		3,997		-		-		3,997
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		4,257		-		4,257		-		4,257

Financial Liabilities:
Accrued expenses	$	9,523	$	-	$	9,523	$	-	$	9,523
Other short term liabilities		595		-		595		-		595
Credit facility and term loan		26,902		-		20,182		-		20,182

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) State	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) School State Campus Segment	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Business Activities [Abstract]
Number of schools \| School				22
Number of states in which schools operate across the United States \| State		14		14
Number of campuses treated as destination schools \| Campus				5
Number of reportable segments \| Segment				3
Liquidity [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 15,754	$ 18,003	$ 15,754	$ 18,003	$ 45,946	$ 54,554
Restricted cash		4,000		4,000
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Interest and penalties expense		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Credit Facility 1 [Member]
Business Activities [Abstract]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity						22,700
Mangonia Park Property [Member]
Business Activities [Abstract]
Cash purchase price	$ 2,550
Real estate brokerage fee percentage	5.00%
Lincoln College of New England [Member]
Business Activities [Abstract]
Lease termination costs						1,600
Severance payment						$ 700

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES (Details) - shares	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Shares used to compute basic and diluted loss income per share [Abstract]
Basic shares outstanding (in shares)	24,563,038	24,532,648	24,550,999	24,386,689
Dilutive effect of stock options (in shares)	44,466	0	0	0
Diluted shares outstanding (in shares)	24,607,504	24,532,648	24,550,999	24,386,689
Stock Option 2 [Member]
Antidilutive Shares Details [Abstract]
Antidilutive shares excluded from computation of loss per share (in shares)		26,083	93,654	57,680
Stock Option 1 [Member]
Antidilutive Shares Details [Abstract]
Antidilutive shares excluded from computation of loss per share (in shares)	133,000	139,000	133,000	139,000

REVENUE RECOGNITION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
REVENUE RECOGNITION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 72,594	$ 70,078	$ 199,427	$ 193,087
Unearned tuition	22,901		22,901		$ 22,545
Revenue recognized included in contract liability			21,500
ASU 2016-10 [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Unearned tuition	22,900		22,900		$ 22,500
Services Transferred at a Point in Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Total revenues	6,100	5,732	12,901	11,128
Services Transferred over Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Total revenues	66,494	64,346	186,526	181,959
Transportation and Skilled Trades Segment [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Total revenues	52,652	51,006	141,006	135,838
Transportation and Skilled Trades Segment [Member] \| Services Transferred at a Point in Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Total revenues	4,792	4,514	9,360	8,219
Transportation and Skilled Trades Segment [Member] \| Services Transferred over Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Total revenues	47,860	46,492	131,646	127,619
Healthcare and Other Professions Segment [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Total revenues	19,942	18,251	58,421	52,554
Healthcare and Other Professions Segment [Member] \| Services Transferred at a Point in Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Total revenues	1,308	1,162	3,541	2,847
Healthcare and Other Professions Segment [Member] \| Services Transferred over Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Total revenues	18,634	17,089	54,880	49,707
Transitional Segment [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Total revenues	0	821	0	4,695
Transitional Segment [Member] \| Services Transferred at a Point in Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Total revenues	0	56	0	62
Transitional Segment [Member] \| Services Transferred over Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 0	$ 765	$ 0	$ 4,633

LEASES (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Aug. 01, 2019

Dec. 31, 2018

Operating Leases [Abstract]

Operating lease cost

$ 3,600

$ 10,900

Remeasurement of right-of-use assets

$ 3,000

Remeasurement of operating lease liability

$ 3,000

Cumulative Effect of Changes Made to Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet [Abstract]

Operating lease right-of-use asset

38,750

$ 0

Current portion of operating lease liability

9,089

Other short-term liabilities

968

Long-term portion of operating lease liability

35,942

Accrued rent

3,410

Operating cash flow information [Abstract]

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities

3,674

11,277

Non-cash activity [Abstract]

Lease liabilities arising from obtaining right-of-use assets

^[1]

$ 2,811

$ 51,445

Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term and Discount Rate [Abstract]

Weighted-average remaining lease term

5 years 9 months

Weighted-average discount rate

14.34%

Maturities of Lease Liabilities [Abstract]

2019 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2019)

$ 3,828

14,452

11,804

9,344

6,997

3,980

15,924

66,329

Less: imputed interest

(21,298)

Present value of lease liabilities

$ 45,031

5,600

Minimum Lease Payments under Non-cancellable Operating Leases [Abstract]

16,939

14,183

10,708

8,180

5,811

17,610

73,431

Cumulative Effect of Changes Made to Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet [Abstract]

Operating lease right-of-use asset

37,993

Current portion of operating lease liability

8,999

Other short-term liabilities

Long-term portion of operating lease liability

33,372

Accrued rent

ASU 2016-02 [Member] | Adjustments Due to ASC 842 [Member]

Cumulative Effect of Changes Made to Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet [Abstract]

Operating lease right-of-use asset

37,993

Current portion of operating lease liability

8,999

Other short-term liabilities

(968)

Long-term portion of operating lease liability

33,372

Accrued rent

$ (3,410)

Minimum [Member]

Operating Leases [Abstract]

Remaining lease term

1 year

Maximum [Member]

Operating Leases [Abstract]

Remaining lease term

11 years

[1]	Includes effect of adoption of ASU 2016-02 and related amendments and a new lease entered into on January 1, 2019 of $5.6 million.

GOODWILL AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
GOODWILL AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS [Abstract]
Impairment of long-lived assets	$ 0	$ 0
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Abstract]
Gross Goodwill Balance	117,176	117,176	$ 117,176	$ 117,176
Accumulated Impairment Losses	(102,640)	(102,640)	(102,640)	(102,640)
Net Goodwill Balance	14,536	14,536	$ 14,536	$ 14,536
Adjustments	$ 0	$ 0

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) $ in Thousands					9 Months Ended
LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) $ in Thousands	Nov. 01, 2019 USD ($)	Jul. 26, 2019 USD ($)	Apr. 17, 2019 USD ($)	Mar. 06, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) Property	Nov. 14, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Jul. 11, 2018 USD ($)
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Deferred financing fees					$ (277)		$ (532)
Long term debt					26,902		48,769
Less current maturities					(7,117)		(15,000)
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities					$ 19,785		33,769
Number of properties owned \| Property					4
Letters of credit outstanding					$ 4,000		1,800
Scheduled maturities of long-term debt [Abstract]
2019 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2019)					5,567
2020					3,451
2021					2,270
2022					2,270
2023					2,270
Thereafter					11,351
Long term debt					$ 27,179
Subsequent Event [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity						$ 60,000
Colorado, Tennessee and Texas Properties [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Number of properties owned \| Property					3
Connecticut [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Number of properties owned \| Property					1
Prime Rate [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Interest rate on credit facility				6.50%
Letter of Credit [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Percentage of letter of credit fee, quarterly installment					1.75%
Maximum availability under the facility previously provided					$ 9,500
Percentage of unused facility fee payable quarterly					1.25%
Credit Agreement and Term Loan [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Long-term line of credit					$ 27,133		49,301
Auto Loan [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Long-term line of credit					$ 46		0
Term Loan [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Line of credit facility, remaining borrowing capacity							$ 22,700
Credit Agreement [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Percentage of letters of credit margin against available funds in cash collateral					100.00%
Minimum quarterly average aggregate balances to be maintained					$ 5,000
Bank fees if minimum quarterly average aggregate balances is not maintained					12,500
Modification fees paid to bank					50,000
Revolving Credit Facility 1 [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity								$ 25,000
Line of credit facility, remaining borrowing capacity					$ 22,700
Expiration date of credit facility					Mar. 31, 2024
Percentage of net proceeds of sale used to pay down principal amount					25.00%
Scheduled maturities of long-term debt [Abstract]
2019 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2019)					$ 200
2020					600
2021					400
2022					400
2023					$ 400
Revolving Credit Facility 2 [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity								25,000
Line of credit facility, remaining borrowing capacity				$ 2,500
Line of credit facility, additional borrowing capacity		$ 1,250	$ 1,250
Expiration date of credit facility					Apr. 30, 2020
Revolving Credit Facility 2 [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Line of credit facility, repayment	$ 5,000
Revolving Credit Facility 2 [Member] \| Prime Rate [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Interest rate on credit facility					3.50%
Revolving Credit Facility 2 [Member] \| Letter of Credit [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity								10,000
Revolving Credit Facility 3 [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity								$ 15,000
Expiration date of credit facility					May 31, 2019
Tranche A [Member] \| Term Loan [Member] \| Prime Rate [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Interest rate on credit facility					2.85%
Tranche A [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility 2 [Member] \| Prime Rate [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Interest rate on credit facility					2.85%
Percentage of unused facility fee payable quarterly					0.50%
Tranche B [Member] \| Term Loan [Member] \| Prime Rate [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Interest rate on credit facility					6.00%
Tranche B [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility 2 [Member] \| Prime Rate [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Interest rate on credit facility					6.00%

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) Plan $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Stockholders' Equity Note Details [Abstract]
Number of stock incentive plans \| Plan			2
Shares [Abstract]
Outstanding, beginning balance (in shares) \| shares			139,000
Canceled (in shares) \| shares			(6,000)
Granted (in shares) \| shares			0
Vested (in shares) \| shares			0
Outstanding, ending balance (in shares) \| shares	133,000		133,000		139,000
Vested (in shares) \| shares	133,000		133,000
Exercisable, ending balance (in shares) \| shares	133,000		133,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share [Abstract]
Outstanding, beginning balance (in dollars per share)			$ 12.14
Canceled (in dollars per share)			20.62
Granted (in dollars per share)			0
Vested (in dollars per share)			0
Outstanding, ending balance (in dollars per share)	$ 11.76		11.76		$ 12.14
Vested or expected to vest (in dollars per share)	11.76		11.76
Exercisable, ending balance (in dollars per share)	$ 11.76		$ 11.76
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term [Abstract]
Outstanding			1 year 9 months 29 days		2 years 6 months 11 days
Vested or expected to vest			1 year 9 months 29 days
Exercisable			1 year 9 months 29 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value [Abstract]
Outstanding, beginning balance \| $			$ 0
Canceled \| $			0
Granted \| $			0
Vested \| $			0
Outstanding, ending balance \| $	$ 0		0		$ 0
Vested or expected to vest \| $	0		0
Exercisable, ending balance \| $	$ 0		$ 0
Stock Options Outstanding [Abstract]
Shares (in shares) \| shares	133,000		133,000
Contractual Weighted Average Life			1 year 9 months 29 days
Weighted Average Price (in dollars per share)	$ 11.76		$ 11.76
Stock Options Exercisable [Abstract]
Shares (in shares) \| shares	133,000		133,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 11.76		$ 11.76
Stock Options [Member]
Aggregate Intrinsic Value [Abstract]
Unrecognized pre-tax compensation expense \| $	$ 0		$ 0
Restricted Stock [Member]
Shares [Abstract]
Nonvested restricted stock outstanding, beginning balance (in shares) \| shares			35,908
Granted (in shares) \| shares			598,982
Canceled (in shares) \| shares			(3,546)
Vested (in shares) \| shares			(35,908)
Nonvested restricted stock outstanding, ending balance (in shares) \| shares	595,436		595,436		35,908
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Nonvested restricted stock outstanding, beginning balance (in dollars per share)			$ 2.23
Granted (in dollars per share)			3.15
Canceled (in dollars per share)			3.17
Vested (in dollars per share)			2.23
Nonvested restricted stock outstanding, ending balance (in dollars per share)	$ 3.15		$ 3.15		$ 2.23
Recognized restricted stock expense \| $	$ 200	$ 100	$ 500	$ 500
Unrecognized restricted stock expense \| $	1,400		$ 1,400		$ 100
LTIP [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Note Details [Abstract]
Net share settlement for restricted stock (in shares) \| shares			5,518	207,642
LTIP [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Note Details [Abstract]
Decrease in equity due to payment of tax for employee \| $			$ 100	$ 400
LTIP [Member] \| February 28, 2019 [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Note Details [Abstract]
Vesting period of performance-based shares			3 years
LTIP [Member] \| Restricted Stock [Member]
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Outstanding restricted shares, intrinsic value \| $	$ 1,200		$ 1,200
$4.00-$13.99 [Member]
Range of Exercise Prices [Abstract]
Range of Exercise Prices, Minimum (in dollars per share)			$ 4.00
Range of Exercise Prices, Maximum (in dollars per share)			$ 13.99
Stock Options Outstanding [Abstract]
Shares (in shares) \| shares	91,000		91,000
Contractual Weighted Average Life			2 years 5 months 1 day
Weighted Average Price (in dollars per share)	$ 7.79		$ 7.79
Stock Options Exercisable [Abstract]
Shares (in shares) \| shares	91,000		91,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 7.79		$ 7.79
$14.00-$19.99 [Member]
Range of Exercise Prices [Abstract]
Range of Exercise Prices, Minimum (in dollars per share)			14.00
Range of Exercise Prices, Maximum (in dollars per share)			$ 19.99
Stock Options Outstanding [Abstract]
Shares (in shares) \| shares	17,000		17,000
Contractual Weighted Average Life			1 month 2 days
Weighted Average Price (in dollars per share)	$ 19.98		$ 19.98
Stock Options Exercisable [Abstract]
Shares (in shares) \| shares	17,000		17,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 19.98		$ 19.98
$20.00-$25.00 [Member]
Range of Exercise Prices [Abstract]
Range of Exercise Prices, Minimum (in dollars per share)			20.00
Range of Exercise Prices, Maximum (in dollars per share)			$ 25.00
Stock Options Outstanding [Abstract]
Shares (in shares) \| shares	25,000		25,000
Contractual Weighted Average Life			10 months 6 days
Weighted Average Price (in dollars per share)	$ 20.62		$ 20.62
Stock Options Exercisable [Abstract]
Shares (in shares) \| shares	25,000		25,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 20.62		$ 20.62

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
Provision for income taxes	$ 50	$ 50	$ 244	$ 150
Effective income tax rate	3.60%	9.10%	3.50%	1.30%
Reduction of valuation allowance for deferred tax liability			$ (100)

SEGMENTS (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
SEGMENTS (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) Segment Location	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
SEGMENTS [Abstract]
Number of locations closed \| Location			10
Number of reportable segments \| Segment			3
Summary financial information by reporting segment [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 72,594	$ 70,078	$ 199,427	$ 193,087
Percentage of Total Revenue	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Operating Income (Loss)	$ 2,143	$ 76	$ (4,814)	$ (9,710)
Total Assets	161,737		161,737		$ 146,038
Transportation and Skilled Trades [Member]
Summary financial information by reporting segment [Abstract]
Revenues	52,652	51,006	141,006	135,838
Healthcare and Other Professions [Member]
Summary financial information by reporting segment [Abstract]
Revenues	19,942	18,251	58,421	52,554
Transitional [Member]
Summary financial information by reporting segment [Abstract]
Revenues	0	821	0	4,695
Reportable Segments [Member] \| Transportation and Skilled Trades [Member]
Summary financial information by reporting segment [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 52,652	$ 51,008	$ 141,005	$ 135,838
Percentage of Total Revenue	72.50%	72.80%	70.70%	70.40%
Operating Income (Loss)	$ 6,752	$ 6,330	$ 11,051	$ 8,747
Total Assets	111,132		111,132		92,070
Reportable Segments [Member] \| Healthcare and Other Professions [Member]
Summary financial information by reporting segment [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 19,942	$ 18,249	$ 58,422	$ 52,554
Percentage of Total Revenue	27.50%	26.00%	29.30%	27.20%
Operating Income (Loss)	$ 1,403	$ 830	$ 4,214	$ 2,747
Total Assets	27,926		27,926		14,078
Reportable Segments [Member] \| Transitional [Member]
Summary financial information by reporting segment [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 0	$ 821	$ 0	$ 4,695
Percentage of Total Revenue	0.00%	1.20%	0.00%	2.40%
Operating Income (Loss)	$ 0	$ (1,863)	$ 0	$ (2,899)
Total Assets	0		0		527
Corporate [Member]
Summary financial information by reporting segment [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Percentage of Total Revenue	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Operating Income (Loss)	$ (6,012)	$ (5,221)	$ (20,079)	$ (18,305)
Total Assets	$ 22,679		$ 22,679		$ 39,363

FAIR VALUE (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Carrying Amount [Member]
Financial Assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 11,757
Restricted cash	3,997
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	4,257
Financial Liabilities [Abstract]
Accrued expenses	9,523
Other short-term liabilities	595
Credit facility and term loan	26,902
Fair Value [Member]
Financial Assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	11,757
Restricted cash	3,997
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	4,257
Financial Liabilities [Abstract]
Accrued expenses	9,523
Other short-term liabilities	595
Credit facility and term loan	20,182
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] \| Fair Value [Member]
Financial Assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	11,757
Restricted cash	3,997
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0
Financial Liabilities [Abstract]
Accrued expenses	0
Other short-term liabilities	0
Credit facility and term loan	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] \| Fair Value [Member]
Financial Assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	0
Restricted cash	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	4,257
Financial Liabilities [Abstract]
Accrued expenses	9,523
Other short-term liabilities	595
Credit facility and term loan	20,182
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] \| Fair Value [Member]
Financial Assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	0
Restricted cash	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0
Financial Liabilities [Abstract]
Accrued expenses	0
Other short-term liabilities	0
Credit facility and term loan	$ 0

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Nov. 14, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Securities Purchase Agreement [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)		$ 0	$ 0
Subsequent Event [Member]
Securities Purchase Agreement [Abstract]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 60,000
Subsequent Event [Member] \| Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Securities Purchase Agreement [Abstract]
Gross proceeds from issuance of stock	$ 12,700,000
Issuance of stock (in shares)	12,700
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0