U. S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 


Form 10-Q

(Mark One)

ý
T
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31,September 30, 2007

or

o
£
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 

Commission File Number 000-51371


LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New Jersey
57-1150621
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)


200 Executive Drive, Suite 340
West Orange, NJ 07052
(Address of principal executive offices)

(973) 736-9340
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes Tý  No £o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer£o
Accelerated filerTý
Non-accelerated filer£o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o No Tý

As of MayNovember 7, 2007, there were 25,467,76925,881,383 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.
 




LINCOLNLINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDING MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2007



PART I.
 
Item 1.1
 1
 3
 4
 5
 67
Item 2.1214
Item 3.1922
Item 4.1923
PART II.
1923
Item 1.1923
Item 6.2024



PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ItemItem 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In (In thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)

  
March 31,
2007
 
December 31,
2006
 
      
ASSETS
       
CURRENT ASSETS:       
Cash and cash equivalents $4,658 $6,461 
Restricted cash  1,480  920 
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $11,225 and $11,456 at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively  19,519  20,473 
Inventories  2,423  2,438 
Deferred income taxes  4,734  4,827 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  3,362  3,049 
Prepaid income taxes  6,323  - 
Total current assets  42,499  38,168 
        
PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES - At cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $76,553 and $72,870 at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively  96,043  94,368 
        
OTHER ASSETS:       
Deferred finance charges  972  1,019 
Pension plan assets, net  1,082  1,107 
Deferred income taxes, net  3,291  2,688 
Goodwill  84,995  84,995 
Noncurrent accounts receivable, less allowance of $87 and $84 at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively  782  723 
Other assets  3,277  3,148 
Total other assets  94,399  93,680 
TOTAL $232,941 $226,216 
  
September 30,
  
December 31,
 
  
2007
  
2006
 
       
ASSETS
      
CURRENT ASSETS:      
Cash and cash equivalents $3,537  $6,461 
Restricted cash  1,532   920 
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $12,328 and $11,456 at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively  20,353   20,473 
Inventories  2,694   2,438 
Deferred income taxes  4,879   4,827 
Due from federal programs  73   - 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  3,088   3,049 
Prepaid income taxes  5,669   - 
Total current assets  41,825   38,168 
         
PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES - At cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $79,078 and $72,870 at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively  101,061   94,368 
         
OTHER ASSETS:        
Deferred finance charges  876   1,019 
Pension plan assets, net  1,139   1,107 
Deferred income taxes, net  5,052   2,688 
Goodwill  82,860   84,995 
Noncurrent accounts receivable, less allowance of $161 and $84 at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively  1,451   723 
Other assets, net  3,085   3,148 
Total other assets  94,463   93,680 
TOTAL $237,349  $226,216 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

1


LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In (In thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
(Continued)

 
September 30,
  
December 31,
 
 
March 31,
2007
 
December 31,
2006
  
2007
  
2006
 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
             
CURRENT LIABILITIES:             
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations $92 $91  $206  $91 
Unearned tuition  29,404  33,150   34,605   33,150 
Accounts payable  12,910  12,118   14,543   12,118 
Accrued expenses  10,870  10,335   12,223   10,335 
Advance payments of federal funds  550  557 
Advance payments of federal programs  -   557 
Income taxes payable  -  2,860   -   2,860 
Other short-term liabilities  1,711   - 
Total current liabilities  53,826  59,111   63,288   59,111 
               
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:               
Long-term debt and lease obligations, net of current portion  22,746  9,769   15,222   9,769 
Other long-term liabilities  5,830  5,553   6,874   5,553 
Total liabilities  82,402  74,433   85,384   74,433 
               
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES       
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 12)        
               
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:               
Preferred stock, no par value - 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006  -  - 
Common stock, no par value - authorized 100,000,000 shares at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, issued and outstanding 25,461,769 shares at March 31, 2007 and 25,450,695 shares at December 31, 2006  120,217  120,182 
Preferred stock, no par value - 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006  -   - 
Common stock, no par value - authorized 100,000,000 shares at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, issued and outstanding 25,506,566 shares at September 30, 2007 and 25,450,695 shares at December 31, 2006  120,327   120,182 
Additional paid-in capital  8,074  7,695   9,206   7,695 
Deferred compensation  (407) (467)  (561)  (467)
Retained earnings  25,066  26,784   25,404   26,784 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (2,411) (2,411)  (2,411)  (2,411)
Total stockholders' equity  150,539  151,783   151,965   151,783 
TOTAL $232,941 $226,216  $237,349  $226,216 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

2


LINCOLNLINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In (In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
  
Nine Months Ended
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
  
September 30,
  
September 30,
 
 
2007
 
2006
  
2007
  
2006
  
2007
  
2006
 
                 
REVENUES $78,142 $75,513  $86,566  $81,911  $237,480  $227,171 
COSTS AND EXPENSES:                       
Educational services and facilities  35,752  32,137   37,053   34,944   104,540   96,093 
Selling, general and administrative  44,749  38,668   41,434   41,394   124,075   117,684 
Gain on sale of assets  -   (7)  (15)  (7)
Total costs & expenses  80,501  70,805   78,487   76,331   228,600   213,770 
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME  (2,359) 4,708 
OPERATING INCOME  8,079   5,580   8,880   13,401 
OTHER:                       
Interest income  48  471   66   82   149   860 
Interest expense  (484) (474)  (686)  (696)  (1,840)  (1,740)
Other income  -  16 
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES  (2,795) 4,721 
(BENEFIT) PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES  (1,177) 1,959 
NET (LOSS) INCOME $(1,618)$2,762 
Earnings per share - basic:       
Net (loss) income available to common stockholders $(0.06)$0.11 
Earnings per share - diluted:       
Net (loss) income available to common stockholders $(0.06)$0.11 
Other income (loss)  26   (200)  26   (130)
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES  7,485   4,766   7,215   12,391 
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES  3,115   1,978   3,008   5,098 
NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS  4,370   2,788   4,207   7,293 
LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF INCOME TAXES  (2,331)  (556)  (5,487)  (1,333)
NET INCOME (LOSS) $2,039  $2,232  $(1,280) $5,960 
Basic                
Earnings per share from continuing operations $0.17  $0.11  $0.17  $0.29 
Loss per share from discontinued operations  (0.09)  (0.02)  (0.22)  (0.05)
Net income (loss) per share $0.08  $0.09  $(0.05) $0.24 
Diluted                
Earnings per share from continuing operations $0.17  $0.11  $0.16  $0.28 
Loss per share from discontinued operations  (0.09)  (0.02)  (0.21)  (0.05)
Net income (loss) per share $0.08  $0.09  $(0.05) $0.23 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:                       
Basic  25,460  25,186   25,503   25,410   25,482   25,300 
Diluted  25,460  26,038   26,049   26,120   26,029   26,081 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3


LINCOLNLINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In (In thousands)
(Unaudited)

         
Accumulated
                  
Accumulated
       
     
Additional
   
Other
            
Additional
     
Other
       
 
Common Stock
 
Paid-in
 
Deferred
 
Comprehensive
 
Retained
    
Common Stock
  
Paid-in
  
Deferred
  
Comprehensive
  
Retained
    
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Capital
 
Compensation
 
Loss
 
Earnings
 
Total
  
Shares
  
Amount
  
Capital
  
Compensation
  
Loss
  
Earnings
  
Total
 
BALANCE - December 31, 2006  25,451 $120,182 $7,695 $(467)$(2,411)$26,784 $151,783   25,451  $120,182  $7,695  $(467) $(2,411) $26,784  $151,783 
Net loss  - - - - - (1,618) (1,618)  -   -   -   -   -   (1,280)  (1,280)
Initial adoption of FIN 48  - - - - - (100) (100)
Initial adoption of new accounting pronouncement (Note 2)  -   -   -   -   -   (100)  (100)
Issuance of restricted stock and amortization of deferred compensation  - - - 60 - - 60   23   -   320   (94)  -   -   226 
Stock-based compensation expense  - - 351 - - - 351   -   -   1,123   -   -   -   1,123 
Tax benefit of options exercised  - - 28 - - - 28   -   -   68   -   -   -   68 
                
Exercise of stock options  11  35  -  -  -  -  35   33   145   -   -   -   -   145 
BALANCE - March 31, 2007  25,462 $120,217 $8,074 $(407)$(2,411)$25,066 $150,539 
BALANCE - September 30, 2007  25,507  $120,327  $9,206  $(561) $(2,411) $25,404  $151,965 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

4


LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 (In thousands)
(Unaudited)

  
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
  
2007
  
2006
 
       
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:      
Net (loss) income $(1,280) $5,960 
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:        
Depreciation and amortization  11,734   11,076 
Amortization of deferred finance charges  143   144 
Deferred income taxes  (2,416)  (2,983)
Gain on disposal of assets  (15)  (7)
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets  3,099   - 
Fixed asset donations  (26)  (16)
Provision for doubtful accounts  12,639   12,268 
Stock-based compensation expense and issuance of restricted stock  1,349   1,133 
Tax benefit associated with exercise of stock options  -   483 
Deferred rent  451   850 
(Increase) decrease in assets:        
Accounts receivable  (13,247)  (19,797)
Inventories  (256)  (720)
Prepaid expenses and current assets  (941)  (498)
Other assets  (250)  492 
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:        
Accounts payable  1,321   2,562 
Other liabilities  1,800   (1,084)
Income taxes payable/prepaid  (8,529)  (5,190)
Accrued expenses  1,919   1,453 
Unearned tuition  1,455  ��(4,460)
Total adjustments  10,230   (4,294)
Net cash provided by operating activities  8,950   1,666 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        
Restricted cash  (612)  (2,424)
Capital expenditures  (16,391)  (13,806)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired  -   (32,807)
Net cash used in investing activities  (17,003)  (49,037)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
Proceeds from borrowings  21,500   12,000 
Payments on borrowings  (16,500)  (2,079)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options  145   519 
Tax benefit associated with exercise of stock options  68   - 
Principal payments under capital lease obligations  (84)  (886)
Net cash provided by financing activities  5,129   9,554 
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS  (2,924)  (37,817)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—Beginning of period  6,461   50,257 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—End of period $3,537  $12,440 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
45

 
LINCOLNLINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In (In thousands)
(Unaudited)
(Continued)
  
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
  
2007
 
2006
 
      
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:     
Net (loss) income $(1,618)$2,762 
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash used in operating activities:       
Depreciation and amortization  3,844  3,463 
Amortization of deferred finance charges  48  50 
Deferred income taxes  (510) (477)
Fixed asset donations  -  (16)
Provision for doubtful accounts  3,688  3,150 
Stock-based compensation expense  411  353 
Tax benefit associated with exercise of stock options  -  52 
Deferred rent  191  274 
(Increase) decrease in assets:       
Accounts receivable  (2,793) (1,843)
Inventories  15  (233)
Prepaid expenses and current assets  (533) 226 
Other assets  (198) 44 
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:       
Accounts payable  791  (1,309)
Other liabilities  (14) (403)
Income taxes payable/prepaid  (9,183) (6,085)
Accrued expenses  515  (1,128)
Unearned tuition  (3,746) (3,734)
Total adjustments  (7,474) (7,616)
Net cash used in operating activities  (9,092) (4,854)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:     
Restricted cash  (560) (508)
Capital expenditures  (5,192) (3,467)
Net cash used in investing activities  (5,752) (3,975)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:     
Proceeds from borrowings  13,000  - 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options  35  78 
Tax benefit associated with exercise of stock options  28  - 
Principal payments under capital lease obligations  (22) (79)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  13,041  (1)
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS  (1,803) (8,830)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—Beginning of period  6,461  50,257 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—End of period $4,658 $41,427 
        
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:       
Cash paid during the year for:       
Interest $430 $516 
Income taxes $8,498 $8,469 

  
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
  
2007
  
2006
 
       
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:      
Cash paid during the year for:      
Interest $1,770  $1,704 
Income taxes $9,898  $11,859 
         
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
Cash paid during the year for:        
Fair value of assets acquired $-  $40,021 
Net cash paid for the acquisition  -   (32,807)
Liabilities assumed $-  $7,214 
Fixed assets acquired in capital lease transactions $652  $- 
Fixed assets acquired in noncash transactions $1,814  $- 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
56


LINCOLNLINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
THREENINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 AND 2006
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts and unless otherwise stated)
(Unaudited)

1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business Activities - Lincoln Educational Services Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company") is a diversified provider of career-oriented post-secondary education. The Company offers recent high school graduates and working adults degree and diploma programs in five principal areas of study: Automotive Technology, Health Sciences (which includes programs for licensed practical nursing (LPN), medical administrative assistants, medical assistants, pharmacy technicians, medical coding and billing and dental assisting), Business and Information Technology, Hospitality Services (spa and culinary) and Skilled Trades. The Company currently has 37 schools34 campuses in 17 states across the United States.

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 and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been omitted or condensed pursuant to such regulations.  These statements, when read in conjunction with the December 31, 2006 consolidated financial statements of the Company, reflect all adjustments, consisting solely 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 March 31,September 30, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31,September 30, 2007 and the condensed consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2006 and for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2007 and 2006 include the accounts of the Company.  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, fixed assets, goodwill and other intangible assets, stock-based compensation, income taxes, benefit plans and certain accruals.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

2.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 159  “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”, providing companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value.  The objective of SFAS No. 159 is to reduce both complexity in accounting for financial instruments and the volatility in earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently.  Generally accepted accounting principles have required different measurement attributes for different assets and liabilities that can create artificial volatility in earnings. SFAS No. 159 helps to mitigate this type of accounting-induced volatility by enabling companies to report related assets and liabilities at fair value, which would likely reduce the need for companies to comply with detailed rules for hedge accounting.  SFAS No. 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between companies that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities.  The StandardSFAS No. 159 requires companies to provide additional information that will help investors and other users of financial statements to more easily understand the effect of the Company’s choice to use fair value on its earnings. It also requires entities to display the fair value of those assets and liabilities for which the Company has chosen to use fair value on the face of the balance sheet.  SFAS No. 159 will be effective for the Company as of January 1, 2008.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this Statement on its consolidated financial statements.

7


In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R).” Among other items, SFAS No. 158 requires recognition of the overfunded or underfunded status of an entity’s defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability in the financial statements, requires the measurement of defined benefit postretirement plan assets and obligations as of the end of the employer’s fiscal year, and requires recognition of the funded status of defined benefit postretirement plans in other comprehensive income.  The Company adopted SFAS No. 158 was adopted on December 31, 2006.  The incremental effects of applying SFAS No. 158 on the Company’s December 31, 2006 consolidated financial statements, on a line by line basis, are as follows:

6

  
Balances Before Adoption of Statement 158
  
Adjustments
  
Balances After Adoption of Statement 158
 
Pension plan assets, net $5,169  $(4,062) $1,107 
Deferred income taxes  1,037   1,651   2,688 
Accumulated other comprehensive income  -   2,411   2,411 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, the Board having previously concluded in those accounting pronouncements that fair value is the relevant measurement attribute. Accordingly, this Statement does not require any new fair value measurements. The provisions of SFAS No. 157 are effective for the Company as of January 1, 2008. The adoption of the provision of SFAS No. 157 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 108 which provides interpretive guidance on how the effects of the carryover or reversal of prior year unrecorded misstatements should be considered in quantifying a current year misstatement. SAB No. 108 is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2007. The adoption of the provision of SAB No. 108 had no effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.” FIN No. 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, which was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2007. This InterpretationFIN No. 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The adoption of FIN No. 48 resulted in a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2007 of $0.1 million.

In March 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156, “Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets.” SFAS No. 156 provides guidance addressing the recognition and measurement of separately recognized servicing assets and liabilities, common with mortgage securitization activities, and provides an approach to simplify efforts to obtain hedge accounting treatment. SFAS No. 156 was adopted on January 1, 2007. The adoption of the provision of SFAS No. 156 had no effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments.” SFAS No. 155 is effective beginning January 1, 2007. The adoption of the provision of SFAS No. 155 had no effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

3.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

On July 31, 2007 the Company’s Board of Directors approved a plan (the “Plan”) to cease operations at the Company’s Plymouth Meeting, PA, Norcross, GA and Henderson, NV campuses.  As a result of the above decision, the Company reviewed the related goodwill and long-lived assets for possible impairment in accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” and SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.”

In connection with the goodwill review, the Company recognized a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $2.1 million as of June 30, 2007.  Additionally, under SFAS No. 144, long-lived assets were tested for recoverability and it was determined that certain long-lived assets would not be recoverable at June 30, 2007.  As a result, the Company recorded a non-cash charge of $0.9 million (for a total of $3.0 million) to reduce the carrying value of these assets to their estimated fair value.

As of September 30, 2007 all operations have ceased at these campuses, and accordingly, the results of operations of these campuses have been reflected in the accompanying statements of operations as “Discontinued Operations” for all periods presented.

8


The following amounts relate to the ceasing of operations at these three campuses, which have been segregated from continuing operations and reported as discontinued operations:

  
Three Months Ended
  
Nine Months Ended
 
  
September 30,
  
September 30,
 
  
2007
  
2006
  
2007
  
2006
 
Revenue $727  $2,594  $4,230  $8,210 
                 
Operating loss  (2,359)  (3,544)  (8,339)  (10,475)
Impairment of goodwill  -   -   (2,135)  - 
Impairment of long-lived assets  (94)  -   (964)  - 
Retention incentives  (153)  -   (153)  - 
Lease commitments  (1,999)  -   (1,999)  - 
Other commitments  (170)  -   (170)  - 
Loss from discontinued operations  (4,048)  (950)  (9,530)  (2,265)
Benefit for income taxes  (1,717)  (394)  (4,043)  (932)
                 
Net loss from discontinued operations $(2,331) $(556) $(5,487) $(1,333)

4.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company currently accounts for stock-based employee compensation arrangements in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123R, “Share Based Payment.”  Reflected in the accompanying statements of income is compensation expense, including amortization of deferred compensation, of approximately $0.4$0.5 million and $0.4$0.3 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and $1.3 million and 1.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation model and utilizes straight-line amortization of compensation expense over the requisite service period of the grant.  The Company makes an estimate of expected forfeitures upon grant issuance.

4.5.
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES

The weighted average numbers of common shares used to compute basic and diluted income per share for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, were as follows:

 
Three Months Ended
  
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
  
September 30,
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(In thousands)
  
(In thousands)
  
(In thousands)
 
 
2007
 
2006
  
2007
  
2006
  
2007
  
2006
 
Basic shares outstanding  25,460  25,186   25,503   25,410   25,482   25,300 
Dilutive effect of stock options  -  852   546   710   547   781 
Diluted shares outstanding  25,460  26,038   26,049   26,120   26,029   26,081 

For the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2007 and 2006, options to acquire 725,375691,208 and 157,500240,500 shares, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, options to acquire 691,208 and 298,000 shares, respectively, were excluded from the above table as the result on reported earnings per share would have been antidilutive.

7


5.6.
BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

On May 22, 2006, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of New England Institute of Technology at Palm Beach, Inc. (“FLA”) for approximately $40.1 million.  The purchase price was $32.9 million, net of cash acquired plus the assumption of a mortgage note for $7.2 million.  The FLA purchase price has been allocated to identifiable net assets with the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired recorded as goodwill.

The following unaudited pro forma results of operations for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2006 assumes that the acquisition of FLA occurred January 1, 2006.  The unaudited pro forma results of operations are based on historical results of operations, but include adjustments for depreciation, amortization, interest, and taxes, but do not necessarily reflect the actual results that would have occurred.

  
Three months ended March 31, 2006
 
  
Historical
2006
 
Pro forma
impact FLA
2006
 
Pro forma
2006
 
        
Revenues $75,513 $4,860 $80,373 
Net Income $2,762 $261 $3,023 
           
Earnings per share - basic $0.11    $0.12 
Earnings per share - diluted $0.11    $0.12 
 
  
Nine months ended September 30, 2006
 
  
Historical 2006
  
Pro forma impact FLA 2006
  
Pro forma 2006
 
          
Revenues $227,171  $7,148  $234,319 
Net income from continuing operations $7,293  $(302) $6,991 
             
Earnings per share from continuing operations- basic $0.29      $0.22 
Earnings per share from continuing operations- diluted $0.28      $0.22 

6.7.
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The Company accounts for its intangible assets in accordance with SFAS No. 142,“Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”  The Company reviews intangible assets with an indefinite useful life for impairment when indicators of impairment exist.  Annually, or more frequently if necessary, the Company evaluates goodwill for impairment, with any resulting impairment reflected as an operating expense.
 
There were no changes
Goodwill balance as of December 31, 2006 $84,995 
Goodwill impairment  (2,135)
Goodwill balance as of September 30, 2007 $82,860 

As described further in Note 3, during the carrying amount of goodwill from the year ended December 31, 2006 to the threenine months ended March 31, 2007.September 30, 2007, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge as a result of its decision to cease operations at three of its campuses.

Intangible assets, which are included in other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, consist of the following:

   
At March 31, 2007
 
At December 31, 2006
     
At September 30, 2007
  
At December 31, 2006
 
 
Weighted
Average
Amortization
Period (years)
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
  
Weighted Average Amortization Period (years)
  
Gross Carrying Amount
  
Accumulated Amortization
  
Gross Carrying Amount
  
Accumulated Amortization
 
Student Contracts  1 $2,215 $2,077 $2,200 $2,010   1  $2,215  $2,209  $2,200  $2,010 
Trade name  Indefinite 1,270 - 1,270 -  Indefinite   1,270   -   1,270   - 
Accreditation  Indefinite 253 - - -  Indefinite   307   -   -   - 
Curriculum  10 700 156 700 138   10   700   191   700   138 
Non-compete  5  201  35  201  25   5   201   55   201   25 
Total    $4,639 $2,268 $4,371 $2,173      $4,693  $2,455  $4,371  $2,173 

The increase in accreditation assets was due to the purchase of a new nursing program on March 5, 2007.

Amortization of intangible assets was approximately $0.1 million and $0.2$0.3 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

8

respectively, and $0.3 million and $0.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively

7.8.
LONG-TERM DEBT

The Company has a credit agreement with a syndicate of banks.  Under the terms of the credit agreement, the syndicate provided the Company with a $100 million credit facility.  The credit agreement permits the issuance of up to $20 million in letters of credit, the amount of which reduces the availability of permitted borrowings under the credit agreement.  The Company incurred approximately $0.8 million of deferred finance charges under the existing credit agreement.  At March 31,September 30, 2007, the Company had outstanding letters of credit aggregating $4.4 million, whichcomprised primarily comprised of letters of credit for the Department of Education and real estate leases.

The obligations of the Company under the credit agreement are secured by a lien on substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries and any assets that it or its subsidiaries may acquire in the future, including a pledge of substantially all of the subsidiaries’ common stock.  Outstanding borrowings bear interest at the rate of adjusted LIBOR plus 1.0% to 1.75%, as defined, or a base rate (as defined in the credit agreement).  In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the credit agreement, the Company and its subsidiaries are required to pay a commitment fee to the lender with respect to the unused amounts available under the credit agreement at a rate equal to 0.25% to 0.40% per year, as defined.

On March 13, 2007 and on March 28,

During the quarter ended September 30, 2007, the Company borrowed $10.5repaid $16.5 million and $2.5of outstanding debt resulting in $5.0 million respectively,in debt outstanding under the credit agreement. The interest rate under bothagreement as of September 30, 2007.  Interest on these borrowings isat September 30, 2007 ranged from 6.32% to 8.25%.

The credit agreement contains various covenants, including a number of financial covenants.  Furthermore, the credit agreement contains customary events of default as well as an event of default in the event of the suspension or termination of Title IV Program funding for the Company’s and its subsidiaries' schoolssubsidiaries’ campuses aggregating 10% or more of the Company’s EBITDA (as defined) or its consolidated total assets and such suspension or termination is not cured within a specified period.  As of March 31,September 30, 2007, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants contained in the credit agreement.

8.9.
EQUITY

Pursuant to the Company’s 2005 Non-Employee Directors Restricted Stock Plan (the “Non-Employee Directors Plan”), each of the Company’s seven non-employee directors received an award of 3,069 restricted shares of common stock equal to $0.06 million on July 29, 2005. On January 1, 2006, one non-employee director resigned, forfeiting 3,069 restricted shares of common stock awarded on July 29, 2005. Two newly appointed non-employee directors each received an award of 3,625 restricted shares of common stock equal to $0.06 million on March 1, 2006.  Additionally, onOn May 23, 2006, the date of the Company’s 2006 annual meeting, each non-employee director received an annual restricted award of 1,781 restricted shares of common stock equal to $0.03 million. Beginning in 2007, each non-employee director received, on April 26, 2007, the date of the Company’s 2007 annual meeting, an annual restricted award of 2,825 restricted shares of common stock equal to $0.04 million.  The number of shares granted to each non-employee director was based on the fair market value of a share of common stock on that date.  The restricted shares vest ratably on the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date; however, there is no vesting period on the right to vote or the right to receive dividends on these restricted shares. As of March 31September 30, 2007, there were a total of 39,91262,512 shares awarded and 8,55519,442 shares vested under the Non-Employee Directors Plan. The recognized restricted stock expense as of March 31,for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 was $0.09 million and $0.06 million, respectively, and $0.02for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 was $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively. The deferred compensation or unrecognized restricted stock expense as of March 31,September 30, 2007 and 2006 was $0.4$0.6 million and $0.4$0.5 million, respectively.

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 weighted average fair values of options granted during 2007 were $6.78 using the following weighted average assumptions for grants:

March 31,
2007
Expected volatility55.10%
Expected dividend yield0%
Expected life (term)6 Years
Risk-free interest rate4.13-4.84%
Weighted-average exercise price during the year$11.96
  
September 30,
 
  
2007
 
Expected volatility  55.42%
Expected dividend yield  0%
Expected life (term) 6 Years 
Risk-free interest rate  4.36%
Weighted-average exercise price during the year $11.96 

911


The following is a summary of transactions pertaining to the option plans:

 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average Exercise
Price Per Share
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (in
thousands)
  
Shares
  
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share
 
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
 
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
 
Outstanding December 31, 2006  1,728,225 $8.85       
Outstanding, December 31, 2006  1,728,225  $8.85     
Granted  185,500  11.96         185,500   11.96     
Cancelled  (6,500) 16.19         (39,000)  16.79     
Exercised  (11,074) 3.10    $72   (33,271)  4.36   $218 
Outstanding March 31, 2007  1,896,151  9.16  5.62 years  10,495 
Outstanding, September 30, 2007  1,841,454   9.08 5.91 years  9,788 
                          
Exercisable as of March 31, 2007  1,206,208     5.67 years  10,035 
Exercisable as of September 30, 2007  1,249,215     6.35 years  9,444 

As of March 31,September 30, 2007, we estimate that pre-tax compensation expense for all unvested stock option awards in the amount ofis approximately $4.1$3.0 million, which will be expensed over the weighted-average period of approximately 2.11.7 years.


The following table presents a summary of options outstanding at March 31,September 30, 2007:

 
As of March 31, 2007
    
As of September 30, 2007
 
 
Stock Options Outstanding
 
Stock Options Exercisable
    
Stock Options Outstanding
  
Stock Options Exercisable
 
Range of Exercise
Prices
Range of Exercise
Prices
 
Shares
 
Contractual
Weighted
Average life
(years)
 
Weighted
Average Price
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Exercise Price
 
Range of Exercise Prices
  
Shares
  
Contractual Weighted Average life (years)
  
Weighted Average Price
  
Shares
  
Weighted Exercise Price
 
$1.55 50,898 2.23 $1.55 50,898 $1.55 1.55   50,898   1.73  $1.55   50,898  $1.55 
$3.10 895,878 4.78 3.10 888,838 3.10 3.10   883,848   4.28   3.10   876,808   3.10 
$4.00-$13.99 224,000 2.32 10.90 22,900 5.08 4.00-$13.99   215,500   8.89   11.10   19,400   5.62 
$14.00-$19.99 584,875 8.01 15.26 190,872 14.03 14.00-$19.99   563,708   7.47   15.28   234,209   14.77 
$20.00-$25.00  140,500  7.51  22.41  52,700  22.98 20.00-$25.00   127,500   6.93   22.66   67,900   22.99 
                                  
   1,896,151  5.62  9.16  1,206,208  5.67     1,841,454   5.91   9.08   1,249,215   6.35 

9.10.
RECOURSESLM FINANCIAL CORPORATION LOAN AGREEMENT

The Company entered into a Tiered Discount Loan Program agreement effective September 1, 2007 with SLM Financial Corporation (SLM) to provide up to $16.0 million of private non-recourse loans to qualifying students.  Under the agreement, the Company is required to pay SLM either 20% or 30% of all loans disbursed, depending on each student borrower’s credit score.  The Company is billed at the end of each month based on loans disbursed during that month.

The Company entered into an agreement effective March 28, 2005 to June 30, 2006 with SLM Financial Corporation (SLM) to provide up to $6.0 million of private recourse loans to qualifying students.  The following table reflects selected information with respect toDuring the recourse loan agreements, including total cumulative loan disbursements and purchase activity underterm of the agreement:
Disbursement Year
 
Loans
Disbursed
 
Loans the Company
May be Required to
Purchase (1)
2005-2006 4,886 1,466

(1)Represents the maximum amount of loans under the agreement that we may be required to purchase in the future based on cumulative loans disbursed and purchased.

agreement, $4.9 million of loans were disbursed.  Under the recourse loan agreement, the Company was required to fund 30% of all loans disbursed into a SLM reserve account.  The amountA total of our loan purchase obligation may not exceed this deposit. We recorded such amounts in accounts receivable on our consolidated balance sheet. Amounts on deposit may ultimately be utilized$1.5 million has been funded related to purchasetotal loans in default, in which case recoverability of such amounts would be in question. Accordingly,disbursed.  For the Company recorded an allowance and bad debt expense for the full amount of deposit. Approved fundingnine months ended September 30, 2007 no loans have been disbursed under this agreement terminated by its terms on June 30, 2006. There were no new disbursements for the three months ended March 31, 2007. Bad debt expense was $0 and $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

10

program.

10.11.
INCOME TAXES

The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2007 and 2006 was 42.1%40.6% and 41.5% and for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 was 44.8% and 41.1%, respectively.   See Note 3 for tax impact of discontinued operations.

11.12.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation and Regulatory Matters - In the ordinary conduct of the Company’s business, it is subject to periodic 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 proceeding to which it is a party will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operation or cash flows.

12


12.13.
PENSION PLAN

The Company sponsors a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all of the Company’s union employees.  Benefits are provided based on employees’ years of service and earnings.  This plan was frozen on December 31, 1994 for non-union employees.  While the Company does not expect to make any contributions to the plan in 2007, after considering the funded status of the plan, movements in the discount rate, investment performance and related tax consequences, the Company may choose to make contributions to the plan in any given year.  For the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2007 andthe net periodic benefit income was $10,750.  For the three months ended September 30, 2006 the net periodic benefit cost was $25,000$0.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2007 the net periodic benefit income was $32,500.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2006 the net periodic benefit cost was $25,000.

13.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On October 15, 2007, the Company and $1,000, respectively.Lawrence E. Brown, Vice Chairman of the Company, mutually agreed to terminate the employment agreement, dated as of February 1, 2007, between the Company and Mr. Brown, and to enter into a Separation and Release Agreement (the “Agreement”), setting forth the terms of Mr. Brown’s separation of employment from the Company.

Under the Agreement Mr. Brown’s employment with the Company terminated as of the close of business on October 31, 2007.  It is anticipated that, for a period of 14 months following the date of termination of employment, Mr. Brown may continue to provide transitional services to the Company, not to exceed ten hours per month.  The Agreement further provides that, in consideration for a release of claims, the Company will pay Mr. Brown a lump sum cash payment of $0.5 million, subject to withholding, and will reimburse Mr. Brown for the employer-portion of the premiums due for continuation of coverage under COBRA for a maximum period ending on December 31, 2008.  Mr. Brown will also be entitled to the use of his automobile and reimbursement of associated costs by the Company, through December 31, 2008.

In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, Mr. Brown has agreed to be subject to certain restrictive covenants, which, among other things, prohibit him for the duration of 14 months following the date of termination of employment, without the Company’s prior written consent, from (i) competing against the Company and (ii) soliciting employees, consultants, clients or customers of the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries.

1113


ItemItem 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion may contain forward-looking statements regarding us, our business, prospects and our results of operations that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties posed by many factors and events that could cause our actual business, prospects and results of operations to differ materially from those that may be anticipated by such forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those described in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report.  We undertake no obligation to revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may subsequently arise.  Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in this report and in our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission that advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business.

The interim financial statements filed on this Form 10-Q and the discussions contained herein should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements and notes included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which includes audited consolidated financial statements for our three fiscal years ended December 31, 2006.

General

We are a leading and diversified for-profit provider of career-oriented post-secondary education.  We offer recent high school graduates and adults degree and diploma programs in five principal areas of study:  automotive technology, health sciences, skilled trades, business and information technology and hospitality services.  As of March 31,September 30, 2007, we19,463 students were enrolled 17,384 students at our 3734 campuses across 17 states.  Our campuses primarily attract students from their local communities and surrounding areas, although our four destination schoolscampuses attract students from across the United States, and in some cases, from abroad.  We continue to expand our product offerings and our geographic reach.  On March 27, 2006 we opened our new automotive campus in Queens, New York and on May 22, 2006, we completed the acquisition of New England Institute of Technology at Palm Beach, Inc. (“FLA”), which was subsequently re-branded Lincoln College of Technology.


Impairment of Goodwill and Long-lived Assets

On July 31, 2007 our Board of Directors approved a plan (the “Plan”) to cease operations at our Plymouth Meeting, PA, Norcross, GA and our Henderson, NV campuses.  While we believed that these campuses offered effective and valuable academic programs, given the current competitive environment the campuses’ financial results had not met expectations.  We concluded that the continued operation of these campuses was inconsistent with our strategic goals.  As a result of the above, we reviewed the related goodwill and long-lived assets for possible impairment in accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” and SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.”

As a result of the goodwill review, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $2.1 million as of June 30, 2007.  Additionally, under SFAS No. 144, long-lived assets shall be tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable.  As a result of the Plan, some of our long-lived assets have been abandoned.  Accordingly, we determined that certain long-lived assets would not be recoverable at June 30, 2007 and recorded a non-cash charge of $0.9 million to reduce the carrying value of these assets to their estimated fair value.

14


Discontinued Operations

As of September 30, 2007 we had ceased all operations at these three campuses and determined that, in accordance with SFAS No. 144, the operations of these campuses should be reflected as discontinued operations for all periods presented.  During the three months ended September 30, 2007 the following has been recorded in discontinued operations in the accompanying statements of operations as “Discontinued Operations”:

Revenue $727 
Operating loss  (2,359)
Impairment of long-lived assets  (94)
Retention bonuses paid to staff  (153)
Present value of non-cancelable lease commitments  (1,999)
Other commitments  (170)
Loss from discontinued operations  (4,048)
Benefit for income taxes  (1,717)
Net loss from discontinued operations $(2,331)


Footnote No. 3 to our condensed consolidated financials statements included in this quarterly report provides further information on the impact of closing of these campuses.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our discussions of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting policiesprinciples generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).  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, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions, including those related to revenue recognition, bad debts, fixed assets, goodwill and other intangible assets, stock-based compensation, income taxes and certain accruals.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  The critical accounting policies discussed herein are not intended to be a comprehensive list of all of our accounting policies.  In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by GAAP and does not result in significant management judgment in the application of such principles.  There are also areas in which management’s judgment in selecting any available alternative would not produce a materially different result from the result derived from the application of our critical accounting policies.  We believe that the following accounting policies are most critical to us in that they represent the primary areas where financial information is subject to the application of management’s estimates, assumptions and judgment in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Revenue recognition.  Revenues are derived primarily from programs taught at our schools.campuses.  Tuition revenues and one-time fees, such as nonrefundable application fees and course material fees, are recognized on a straight-line basis over the length of the applicable program, which is the period of time from a student’s start date through his or her graduation date, including internships or externships that take place prior to graduation.  If a student withdraws from a program prior to a specified date, any paid but unearned tuition is refunded.  Refunds are calculated and paid in accordance with federal, state and accrediting agency standards.  Other revenues, such as textbook sales, tool sales and contract training revenues are recognized as services are performed or goods are delivered.  On an individual student basis, tuition earned in excess of cash received is recorded as accounts receivable and cash received in excess of tuition earned is recorded as unearned tuition.

Allowance for uncollectible accounts.  Based upon experience and judgment, we establish an allowance for uncollectible accounts with respect to tuition receivables.  We use an internal group of collectors, augmented by third-party collectors as deemed appropriate, in our collection efforts.  In establishing our allowance for uncollectible accounts, we consider, among other things, a student’s status (in-school or out-of-school), whether or not additional financial aid funding will be collected from Title IV Programs or other sources, whether or not a student is currently making payments and overall collection history.  Changes in trends in any of these areas may impact the allowance for uncollectible accounts.  The receivables balances of withdrawn students with delinquent obligations are reserved based on our collection history.  Although we believe that our reserves are adequate, if the financial condition of our students deteriorates, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, or if we underestimate the allowances required, additional allowances may be necessary, which will result in increased selling, general and administrative expenses in the period such determination is made.

12


Our bad debt expense as a percentage of revenue for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2007 and 2006 was 4.7%5.3% and 4.2%5.7%, respectively and for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 was 5.2% and 5.2%, respectively.  Our exposure to changes in our bad debt expense could impact our operations. A change of 1% increase in our bad debt expense as a percentage of revenues for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2007 and 2006 would have resulted in an increase in bad debt expense of $0.8$0.9 million and $0.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively and $2.4 million and $2.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

15


Because a substantial portion of our revenuerevenues is derived from Title IV programs, any legislative or regulatory action that significantly reduces the funding available under Title IV programs or the ability of our students or schoolscampuses to participate in Title IV programs could have a material effect on the realizability of our receivables.

Goodwill. We test our goodwill for impairment annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred, by comparing its fair value to its carrying value. Impairment may result from, among other things, deterioration in the performance of the acquired business, adverse market conditions, adverse changes in applicable laws or regulations, including changes that restrict the activities of the acquired business, and a variety of other circumstances. If we determine that impairment has occurred, we are required to record a write-down of the carrying value and charge the impairment as an operating expense in the period the determination is made. In evaluating the recoverability of the carrying value of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, we must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of the acquired assets. Changes in strategy or market conditions could significantly impact these judgments in the future and require an adjustment to the recorded balances.

As discussed in “Impairment of Goodwill and Long-lived Assets” above, as a result of a decision to close three of our campuses we conducted a review of our goodwill as of June 30, 2007.  In connection with that review, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $2.1 million as of June 30, 2007.  Goodwill represents a significant portion of our total assets. As of March 31,September 30, 2007, goodwill representedwas approximately $85.0$82.9 million, or 36.5%34.9%, of our total assets. At December 31, 2006, we tested our goodwill for impairment utilizing a market capitalization approach and determined that we did not have an impairment.  NoExcept for the planned cessation of operations at the three campuses mentioned above, no additional events have occurred subsequentlysubsequent to December 31, 2006 or June 30, 2007 that would mandate retesting.

Stock-based compensation.  We currently account for stock-based employee compensation arrangements in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123R, “Share Based Payment.”  We use a fair value-based method of accounting for options as prescribed by SFAS No. 123 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”.  Because no public market for our common stock existed prior to our initial public offering, our board of directors determined the fair value of our common stock based upon several factors, including our operating performance, forecasted future operating results, and our expected valuation in an initial public offering.

Bonus costs.  We accrue the estimated cost of our bonus programs using current financial and statistical information as compared to targeted financial achievements and actual student graduate outcomes.  Although we believe our estimated liability recorded for bonuses is reasonable, actual results could differ and require adjustment of the recorded balance.

Effect of Inflation

Inflation has not had a material effect on our operations.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 159  “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”, providing companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value.  The objective of SFAS No. 159 is to reduce both complexity in accounting for financial instruments and the volatility in earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently.  Generally accepted accounting principles have required different measurement attributes for different assets and liabilities that can create artificial volatility in earnings. SFAS No. 159 helps to mitigate this type of accounting-induced volatility by enabling companies to report related assets and liabilities at fair value, which would likely reduce the need for companies to comply with detailed rules for hedge accounting.  SFAS No. 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between companies that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities.  The StandardSFAS No. 159 requires companies to provide additional information that will help investors and other users of financial statements to more easily understand the effect of the Company’s choice to use fair value on its earnings. It also requires entities to display the fair value of those assets and liabilities for which the Company has chosen to use fair value on the face of the balance sheet.  SFAS No. 159 will be effective for us as of January 1, 2008.  We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 159 on our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R).” Among other items, SFAS No. 158 requires recognition of the overfunded or underfunded status of an entity’s defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability in the financial statements, requires the measurement of defined benefit postretirement plan assets and obligations as of the end of the employer’s fiscal year, and requires recognition of the funded status of defined benefit postretirement plans in other comprehensive income. The Company adopted SFAS No. 158 was adopted on December 31, 2006.  The incremental effects of applying SFAS No. 158 on the Company’s December 31, 2006 consolidated financial statements, on a line by line basis, are as follows:

1316



  
Balances Before Adoption of Statement 158
  
Adjustments
  
Balances After Adoption of Statement 158
 
Pension plan assets, net $5,169  $(4,062) $1,107 
Deferred income taxes  1,037   1,651   2,688 
Accumulated other comprehensive income  -   2,411   2,411 


In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, the Board having previously concluded in those accounting pronouncements that fair value is the relevant measurement attribute. Accordingly, this Statement does not require any new fair value measurements. The provisions of SFAS No. 157 are effective for the Company as of January 1, 2008. The adoption of the provision of SFAS No. 157 is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 108 which provides interpretive guidance on how the effects of the carryover or reversal of prior year unrecorded misstatements should be considered in quantifying a current year misstatement. SAB No. 108 is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2007. The adoption of the provision of SAB No. 108 had no effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2006, FASB issued FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.” FIN No. 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, which was adopted by us on January 1, 2007.  This InterpretationFIN No. 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The adoption of FIN No. 48 resulted in a negative cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2007 of approximately $0.1 million.

In March 2006, FASB issued SFAS No. 156, “Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets.” SFAS No. 156 provides guidance addressing the recognition and measurement of separately recognized servicing assets and liabilities, common with mortgage securitization activities, and provides an approach to simplify efforts to obtain hedge accounting treatment. SFAS No. 156 will be adopted on January 1, 2007. The adoption of the provision of SFAS No. 156 had no effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments.” SFAS No. 155 is effective beginning January 1, 2007. The adoption of the provision of SFAS No. 155 had no effect on our consolidated financial statements.

1417


Results of Continuing Operations

The following table sets forth selected consolidated statements of continuing operations data as a percentage of revenues for each of the periods indicated.

 
Three Months Ended
  
Nine Months Ended
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
  
September 30,
  
September 30,
 
 
2007
 
2006
  
2007
  
2006
  
2007
  
2006
 
Revenues  100.0% 100.0%  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%
Costs and expenses:                       
Educational services and facilities  45.7% 42.6%  42.8%  42.7%  44.0%  42.3%
Selling, general and administrative  57.3% 51.1%  47.9%  50.5%  52.2%  51.8%
Total costs and expenses  103.0% 93.7%  90.7%  93.2%  96.2%  94.1%
Operating income  (3.0)% 6.3%  9.3%  6.8%  3.8%  5.9%
Other loss  0.0%  (0.3)%  0.0%  (0.1)%
Interest expense, net  (0.6)% 0.0%  (0.7)%  (0.7)%  (0.7)%  (0.4)%
Income before income taxes  (3.6)% 6.3%
Income from continuing operations before income taxes  8.6%  5.8%  3.1%  5.5%
Provision for income taxes  (1.5)% 2.6%  3.6%  2.4%  1.3%  2.2%
Net income  (2.1)% 3.7%
Net income from continuing operations  5.0%  3.4%  1.8%  3.3%

Three Months Ended March 31,September 30, 2007 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31,September 30, 2006

Revenues.  Revenues increased by $2.6$4.7 million, or 3.5%5.7%, to $78.1$86.6 million infor the first quarter ofthree months ended September 30, 2007 from $75.5$81.9 million for the comparable period in 2006.  Included in thisThe increase is approximately $4.3 million from the acquisition of New England Institute of Technology at Palm Beach, Inc., or FLA. On a same school basis, our revenues declined 2.2% as compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2006. The decrease in revenue for the quarter was attributable in part to a 7.2% decline2.3% increase in average student population, which decreased on a same school basisincreased to 16,40918,185 for the quarter ended March 31,September 30, 2007 from 17,67617,774 for the quarter ended March 31,September 30, 2006. Including FLA, our average undergraduate student enrollment decreased by 1.5% to 17,411.  For a general discussion of trends in our student enrollment, see “Seasonality and Trends” below.

Educational services and facilities expenses.  Our educational services and facilities expenses for the quarter ended March 31,September 30, 2007 were $35.8$37.1 million, representing an increase of $3.7$2.1 million, or 11.2%6.0%, as compared to $32.1$34.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2006.  The increase in educational services and facilities expenses was due to: (i) books and tool expenses, which increased by $1.2 million, or 23.8%, as compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2006 due to higher tool sales during the period; and (ii) facilities expenses, which increased by approximately $0.9 million over the same quarter in 2006.  Approximately $0.5 million of the increase in facilities expenses was due to additional square footage at some of our facilities to accommodate new programs and higher utility, insurance and property taxes.   The remainder of the increase was attributable to higher repairs and maintenance expense at our facilities ($0.2 million) and overflow housing expenses ($0.2 million) at one of our destination campuses over the same period in 2006.    As a percentage of revenue, educational services and facilities expenses for the second quarter of 2007 increased to 42.8% from 42.7% in 2006.

Selling, general and administrative expenses.  Our selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 were $41.4 million, consistent with the quarter ended September 30, 2006.  For the three months ended September 30, 2007, our sales and marketing expenses decreased by approximately $2.0 million from the same period in 2006.  This decrease was the result of the additional marketing expenses incurred in the third quarter of 2006, to compensate for the shortfall we experienced in the high school market, coupled with a shift in mix between television advertising and web based initiatives.  Offsetting this decrease in sales and marketing expenses was an increase of $2.0 million in administrative expenses. The increase in administrative expenses during the quarter was due to the hiring of additional personnel in anticipation of higher enrollment levels and to yearly compensation increases to existing personnel.   Additionally, during the quarter we entered into an agreement with a vendor for certain equipment at our campuses.  We incurred an upfront one time non-cash charge of $0.5 million in connection with this agreement.   As a percentage of revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2007 decreased to 47.9% from 50.5% in 2006.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2007, our bad debt expense was 5.3% as compared to 5.7% for the same quarter in 2006.

Net interest expense.  Our net interest expense for each of the quarters ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 was $0.6 million.   As of September 30, 2007, we had $5.0 million outstanding under our credit agreement as compared to September 30, 2006 when we had $17.2 million of debt comprised of $10.0 million outstanding under our credit agreement and a mortgage note assumed in connection with our acquisition of FLA for $7.2 million.  For the quarter ended September 30, 2007, our average amounts outstanding under our credit agreement was $16.0 compared to $10.8 for the quarter ended September 30, 2006.

Income taxes.  For the quarter ended September 30, 2007 we recorded a provision of $3.1 million, or 41.6% of pretax income.  As a percentage of pretax income, our provision was essentially unchanged from the $2.0 million, or 41.5% of pretax income, for the quarter ended September 30, 2006. 

18


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006

Revenues.  Revenues increased by $10.3 million, or 4.5%, to $237.5 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2007 from $227.2 million for the comparable period in 2006.  Included in revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was an increase of approximately $6.5 million over the corresponding prior period from our acquisition of FLA, on May 22, 2006.   The remainder of the increase in revenue during the period was attributable to our Queens facility, which we opened in March 31,2006.  This facility was a start-up facility in 2006 and only contributed six months of earnings for the nine month period ending September 30, 2006.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Queens campus was in operation for the full period.  Revenue for the period was also impacted positively by tuition increases which averaged 3.5% for 2007 and a 0.4% increase in average student population, which increased to 17,193 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 from 17,132 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.  For a general discussion of trends in our student enrollment, see “Seasonality and Trends” below.

Educational services and facilities expenses.  Our educational services and facilities expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 were $104.5 million, representing an increase of $8.4 million, or 8.8%, as compared to $96.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.  The acquisition of FLA resulted in $1.9$2.5 million of this increase.  The remainder of the increase in educational services and facilities expenses was primarily due to: (i) instructional expenses, which increased by $0.2$0.5 million, or 1.3%1.0% due to yearly compensation increases; (ii) books and tool expenses, which increased by $1.7 million, or 15.0%, as compared to the quarternine months ended March 31,September 30, 2006 due to yearly compensation increases;higher tool sales during the period; and (ii)(iii) facilities expenses, which increased by approximately $1.4$3.7 million over the same quarterperiod in 2006.  Approximately $0.5$1.7 million of the increase in facilities expenses was due to additional square footage at some of our facilities and higher utility, insurance and property taxes.   The remainder of the increase was attributable to higher repairs and maintenance expense at our facilities. Forfacilities ($1.3 million) and increased depreciation expense ($0.5 million) over the quarter ended March 31, 2007,same period in prior year.    Of the $1.3 million increase in repairs and maintenance expenses increasedas of September 30, 2007, $0.8 million as compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2006 primarilywas due to higher than normal repairs and maintenance expenses at one of our schools.campuses during the first quarter of 2007.  As a percentage of revenue, educational services and facilities expenses for the firstthird quarter of 2007 increased to 45.7%44.0% from 42.6%42.3% in 2006.

Selling, general and administrative expenses.  Our selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarternine months ended March 31,September 30, 2007 were $44.7$124.1 million, representing an increase of $6.0$6.4 million, or 15.7%5.4%, as compared to $38.7$117.7 million for the quarternine months ended March 31,September 30, 2006.  TheIncluded in the $124.1 million was an incremental increase of $3.2 million, or 50.8%, related to the acquisition of FLA resulted in $2.0 million of this increase. The remainder of the increase in ourFLA.  On a same school basis, selling, general and administrative expenses wasincreased by $3.2 million from the comparable period in 2006, due to: (i)to increases of $0.9 million in sales expense, resulting from yearly compensation increases and a $1.4higher number of sales representatives as compared to the same period in 2006, a $1.1 million or 8.6%,decrease in marketing expenditures, a $0.2 million increase in salesstudent services, and a $3.2 million increase in administrative expenses. The decrease in marketing expenses due tofor the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was the result of the additional admissions representatives hired duringmarketing expenses incurred in the fourththird quarter of 2006, to compensate for the shortfall we experienced in the high school market, coupled with a shift in mix between television advertising and additional costs incurred in student recruiting and our rebranding initiative; and (ii) a $2.5 million, or 13.3%,web based initiatives.  The increase in administrative expenses forduring the quarter ended March 31, 2007 from the quarter ended March 31, 2006. Of the increase in administrative expenses, approximately $1.9 million was attributable to  increases in compensation and benefits and $0.5 millionperiod was due to higher bad debt expense.yearly compensation increases and increased expenses associated with pay incentives.  Additionally, during the three months ended September 30, 2007 we entered into a Master Agreement with a vendor for certain copiers for our campuses.  We incurred an upfront one time non-cash charge of $0.5 million in connection with this agreement.  As a percentage of revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses for the first quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2007 increased to 57.3%52.2% from 51.1%51.8% in 2006.

For the quarternine months ended March 31,September 30, 2007 and 2006, our bad debt expense was 4.7% as compared5.2% and 5.2%, respectively.

Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets.  As of June 30, 2007, we recorded a non-cash charge of $3.0 million related to 4.2% for the same quarter in 2006. This increase was primarilyimpairment of goodwill and other long term assets due to higher accounts receivable balancesthe planned cessation of operations at March 31, 2007 as compared to March 31, 2006. Accounts receivable at March 31, 2007 included five new campuses that did not exist in the prior period (our two Euphoriathree of our campuses.  See “Impairment of Goodwill and two FLA campuses as well as our new Queens, New York campus)Long-lived Assets”. For additional information on our accounts receivable balances, see “Operating Activities” below.

Net interest expense.  Our net interest expense for the quarternine months ended March 31,September 30, 2007 was $0.4$1.7 million, representing an increase of $0.4$0.8 million from the quarternine months ended March 31,September 30, 2006.  This increase was primarily due to the decrease in our average cash balances as of March 31, 2007during the period as compared to March 31, 2006. At March 31, 2007, we had $4.7 million of cash and cash equivalents as compared to $41.4 million at March 31,the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

15


Income taxes.  For the quarternine months ended March 31,September 30, 2007 we recorded a benefitprovision for income taxes of $1.2$3.0 million, or 42.1%41.7% of pretax loss,income, as compared to $2.0a provision of $5.1 million, or 41.5%41.1% of pretax income, for the quarternine months ended March 31,September 30, 2006.  The increase in our effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2007period was primarily attributable to the acquisitiontax benefit associated with the exercise of FLA.stock options, coupled with the effect of the FLA acquisition.  For federal tax purposes, FLA is a separate C Corporation.

19


Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary capital requirements are for facility expansion and maintenance, acquisitions and the development of new programs.  Our principal sources of liquidity have been cash provided by operating activities and borrowings under our credit agreement.  The following chart summarizes the principal elements of our cash flow for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2007 and 2006:

  
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
  
2007
 
2006
 
  
(in thousands)
 
Net cash used in operating activities $(9,092)$(4,854)
Net cash used in investing activities $5,752 $3,975 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities $13,041 $(1)
  
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
  
2007
  
2006
 
  
(in thousands)
 
Net cash provided by operating activities $8,950  $1,666 
Net cash used in investing activities $(17,003) $(49,037)
Net cash provided by financing activities $5,129  $9,554 

At March 31,September 30, 2007 we had cash and cash equivalents of $4.7$3.5 million, compared to $6.5 million as of December 31, 2006.  For the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2007, cash and cash equivalents decreased by approximately $1.8$2.9 million from December 31, 2006.  This decrease was mainly attributable to normal seasonal patterns as we have experiencedof lower student populations in the first half of the year.  Historically, we have financed our operating activities and organic growth primarily through cash generated from operations.  In addition, we have financed acquisitions primarily through borrowings under our credit facility and cash generated from operations.  During the first quartersix months of 2007, we borrowed $13.0$21.5 million under our credit facility.  During the three months ended September 30, 2007, we repaid $16.5 million of those borrowings.  We currently anticipate that we will be able to meet both our short-term cash needs, as well as our need to fund operations and meet our obligations beyond the next twelve months with cash generated by operations, existing cash balances and borrowings under our credit agreement.    At March 31,September 30, 2007, we had borrowings available under our credit agreement of approximately $67.0$90.6 million, including a $15.6 million sub-limit on letters of credit.


Our primary source of cash is tuition collected from our students.  Our students fund their tuition payments from a variety of sources including Title IV Programs, federal and state grants, private loans and their personal resources.  A significant majority of our students’ tuition payments are derived from Title IV Programs.  Students must apply for a new loan for each academic period.  Federal regulations dictate the timing of disbursements of funds under Title IV Programs, and loan funds are generally provided by lenders in two disbursements for each academic year.  The first disbursement is usually received approximately 30 days after the start of a student’s academic year and the second disbursement is typically received at the beginning of the sixteenth week after the start of the student’s academic year.  Certain types of grants and other funding are not subject to a 30-day delay.  Our programs range from 30 to 84 weeks and may cover one or two academic years.  In certain instances, if a student withdraws from a program prior to a specified date, any paid but unearned tuition or prorated Title IV financial aid is refunded with the amount varying by state.

The majority of students enrolled at our schoolscampuses rely on funds received under various government-sponsored student financial aid programs to pay a substantial portion of their tuition and other education-related expenses.  The largest of these programs is Title IV, which represented approximately 80% of our cash receipts relating to revenues in 2006.  As a result of the significance of the Title IV funds received by our students, we are highly dependent on these funds to operate our business.  Any reduction in the level of Title IV funds that our students are eligible to receive or any impact on our ability to receive Title IV funds would have a significant impact on our operations and our financial condition.

Operating Activities

Net cash used inprovided by operating activities was $9.1$9.0 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2007 compared to $4.9$1.7 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2006.  The $4.2$7.3 million increase in cash used inprovided by operating activities was primarily due to our net loss forimproved focus on the periodpackaging of $1.6 millionstudent financial aid.  This resulted in (i)  better cash collections during the period as compared to net income of $2.8 millionthe comparable period in prior year (as evidenced by the quarterdecrease in day’s sales outstanding to 22.8 days for the three months ended March 31, 2006.September 30, 2007 from 24.3 days for the three months ended September 30, 2006) and (ii) an increase as compared to prior year in unearned tuition.  

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities increased $1.8decreased by $32.0 million to $5.8$17.0 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2007 from $4.0$49.0 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2006.  Our decrease in cash used in investing activities was primarily relateddue to the purchase of FLA in May of 2006, offset by increased purchases of property and equipment.  Our capital expenditures primarily result from facility expansion, leasehold improvements, and investments in classroom and shop technology and in operating systems.

16


We currently lease a majority of our campuses.  In October 2005, we completed the purchase of our Grand Prairie, Texas facility, which we opened in July 2006.  In addition, with our purchase of FLA on May 22, 2006, we acquired real estate valued at approximately $19.8 million.  Our growth strategy is primarily focused on internal growth, including campus expansions; however, we have in the past and expect to continue to consider strategic acquisitions.  To the extent that these potential strategic acquisitions are large enough to require financing beyond available cash from operations and borrowings under our credit facilities, we may incur additional debt or issue additional debt or equity securities.

20


Capital expenditures are expected to increase as we upgrade and expand current equipment and facilities and open new facilities to meet increased student enrollments.  Additionally, we are evaluating several other expansion opportunities.  We now anticipate capital expenditures to be approximately 12% of revenues in 2007.  We expect to be able to fund these capital expenditures with cash generated from operating activities.

Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was $13.0$5.1 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2007 compared to net cash usedprovided by financing activities of $0.1$9.6 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2006.  This increase in 2007 was attributable to our borrowing $13.0$21.5 million in March 2007 under our credit agreement.agreement during the first half of 2007.   During the third quarter we repaid $16.5 million of these borrowings.  Due to normal seasonal patterns, our student populations are generally at the lowest levels during the first half of the year and increase during the second half of the year.  As a result, during the first half of the year, we typically borrow funds to finance our operations and repay those funds in the second half of the year.

Under the terms of our credit agreement, the lending syndicate provided us with a $100 million credit facility with a term of five years.  The credit agreement permits the issuance of letters of credit of up to $20 million, the amount of which reduces the availability of permitted borrowings under the agreement.  We incurred approximately $0.8 million of deferred finance costs under the agreement.


The following table sets forth our long-term debt at the dates indicated:

 
September 30,
  
December 31,
 
 
March 31,
2007
 
December 31,
2006
  
2007
  
2006
 
Credit agreement $13,000 $-  $5,000  $- 
Finance obligation  9,672  9,672   9,672   9,672 
Automobile loans  32  37   21   37 
Capital leases-computers (with rates ranging from 6.7% to 10.7%)  134  151   735   151 
Subtotal  22,838  9,860   15,428   9,860 
Less current portion  (92) (91)  (206)  (91)
 $22,746 $9,769  $15,222  $9,769 

Contractual Obligations

Long-Term Debt.  As of March 31,September 30, 2007, our long-term debt consisted of amounts borrowed under our credit agreement, the finance obligation in connection with our sale-leaseback transaction in 2001 and amounts due under capital lease obligations.

Lease Commitments.  We lease offices, educational facilities and various equipment for varying periods through the year 2023 at basic annual rentals (excluding taxes, insurance, and other expenses under certain leases).

The following table contains supplemental information regarding our total contractual obligations as of March 31,September 30, 2007, measured from the end of our fiscal year, December 31, 2006 (in thousands):

 
Payments Due by Period
  
Payments Due by Period
 
 
Total
 
Less than 1
year
 
2-3 years
 
4-5 years
 
After 5
years
  
Total
  
Less than 1 year
  
1-3 years
  
3-5 years
  
After 5 years
 
Credit agreement $13,000 $- $13,000 $- $-  $5,000  $-  $5,000  $-  $- 
Capital leases (including interest)  145 79 66 - -   883   240   348   295   - 
Operating leases  145,808 17,541 30,391 24,503 73,373   135,820   15,839   28,372   24,492   67,117 
Rent on finance obligation  13,120 1,334 2,669 2,669 6,448   12,454   1,334   2,669   2,669   5,782 
Automobile loans (including interest)  32  22  10         21   21   -   -   - 
Total contractual cash obligations $172,105 $18,976 $46,136 $27,172 $79,821  $154,178  $17,434  $36,389  $27,456  $72,899 

Capital Expenditures. We have entered into commitments to expand or renovate campuses. These commitments are in the range of $3.0$4.0 to $5.0$6.0 million in the aggregate and are due within the next 12 months. Total capital expenditures for the year are expected to range between 3 to 5% of revenues.  We expect to fund these commitments from cash generated from operations.

1721


Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We had no off-balance sheet arrangements as of March 31,September 30, 2007, except for our letters of credit of $4.4 million which are primarily comprised of letters of credit for the DOE and security deposits in connection with certain of our real estate leases. These off-balance sheet arrangements do not adversely impact our liquidity or capital resources.

Seasonality and Trends

Our net revenues and operating results normally fluctuate as a result of seasonal variations in our business, principally due to changes in total student population.  Student population varies as a result of new student enrollments, graduations and student attrition.  Historically, our schoolscampuses have had lower student populations in our first and second quarters and we have experienced large class starts in the third and fourth quarters and student attrition in the first half of the year.  Our second half growth is largely dependent on a successful high school recruiting season.  We recruit our high school students several months ahead of their scheduled start dates, and thus, while we have visibility on the number of students who have expressed interest in attending our schools,campuses, we cannot predict with certainty the actual number of new student enrollments and the related impact on revenue.  Our expenses, however, do not vary significantly over the course of a year with changes in our student population and net revenues.  During the first half of the year, we make significant investments in marketing, staff, programs and facilities to ensure that we have the proper staffing to meet our second half targets and, as a result, such expenses do not fluctuate significantly on a quarterly basis.  To the extent new student enrollments, and related revenues, in the second half of the year fall short of our estimates, our operating results could suffer.  We expect quarterly fluctuations in operating results to continue as a result of seasonal enrollment patterns.  Such patterns may change, however, as a result of new school openings, new program introductions, increased enrollments of adult students and/or acquisitions.

Similar to other public for-profit post secondary education companies, the increase in our average undergraduate enrollments has not met our historical or anticipated growth rates in 2005 and 2006.rates.  As a result of the slow down in 2005 and 2006, we entered 2007 with fewer students enrolled than we had in January 2006.  This trend has continued throughoutthrough the first half of 2007 and resulted in a shortfall in our expected enrollments during the first half of 2007.  We experienced a reversal of this trend during the third quarter of 2007.2007, mainly as a result of better execution and the benefit of initiatives we put in place in the last several quarters.  While we have not seen any change to the challenging environment we are operating in, we believe that through better execution and the continued benefit of the various initiatives we implemented, we will be able to sustain positive organic growth for the remainder of the year.   The slow down that has occurred in the for-profit post secondary education sector appears to have had a greater impact on companies, like ours, that are more dependent on their on-ground business as opposed to on-line students.  We believe that the slow down can be attributed to many factors, including:  (a) the economy and the labor market; (b) the availability of student financing; (c) the dependency on television to attract students to our school; (d) turnover of our sales representatives; and (e) increased competition in the marketplace.

Despite soft organic enrollment trends and increased volatility in the near term, we believe that our growth initiatives as well as the steps we have taken to address the challenging trends that our industry and we areis currently facing will produce positive growth over the long-term.  WhileWe continue to be prudent and realistic, with a view toward ensuring that operations that have not grown as rapidly as expected are right sized.  Accordingly, we believe that our operating strategy, business model and infrastructure are well suited for the short-term and we have ample operating flexibility, we continue to be prudent and realistic and have taken the necessary steps to ensure that operations that have not grown as rapidly as expected are right sized.long-term business opportunities.  We also continue to make investments in areas that are demonstrating solid growth.

Operating income is negatively impacted during the initial start-up phase of new campus expansions.  We incur sales and marketing costs as well as campus personnel costs in advance of the opening of each campus.  Typically we begin to incur such costs approximately 15 months in advance of the campus opening with the majority of such costs being incurred in the nine-month period prior to a campus opening.  During 2006, we continued expansion efforts for one new campus, located in Queens, New York.

18

York, which opened on March 27, 2006.

ItemItem 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company is exposed to certain market risks as part of its on-going business operations.  The Company has a credit agreement with a syndicate of banks.  The obligations of the Company under the credit agreement are secured by a lien on substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries and any assets that it or its subsidiaries may acquire in the future, including a pledge of substantially all of the subsidiaries’ common stock.  Outstanding borrowings bear interest at the rate of adjusted LIBOR plus 1.0% to 1.75%, as defined, or a base rate (as defined in the credit agreement).  As of March 31,September 30, 2007, the Company has $13.0$5.0 million outstanding under the credit agreement.  The interest rate under this borrowing wasInterest on these borrowings at September 30, 2007 ranged from 6.32% at March 31, 2007.to 8.25%.

Based on our outstanding debt balance, a change of one percent in the interest rate would cause a change in interest expense of approximately $0.1$0.2 million, or less than $.01 per basic share, on an annual basis.  Changes in interest rates could have an impact on our operations, which are greatly dependent on students’ ability to obtain financing.  Any increase in interest rates could greatly impact our ability to attract students and have an adverse impact on the results of our operations.

22


The remainder of our interest rate risk is associated with miscellaneous capital equipment leases, which are not material.

ItemItem 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.  Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of the end of the quarterly period covered by this report, have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are adequate and effective to reasonably ensure that material information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specific by Securities and Exchange Commissions’ Rules and Forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.  There were no changes made during our most recently completed fiscal quarter in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ItemItem 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the ordinary conduct of our business, we are periodically subject to lawsuits, investigations and claims, including, but not limited to, claims involving students or graduates and routine employment matters.  Although we cannot predict with certainty the ultimate resolution of lawsuits, investigations and claims asserted against us, we do not believe that any currently pending legal proceeding to which we are a party will have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

1923


ItemItem 6.  EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT INDEX

The following exhibits are filed with or incorporated by reference into this Form 10-Q.


Exhibit
Number
Description
  
3.1Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (1).
  
3.2Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company (2).
  
4.1Stockholders’ Agreement, dated as of September 15, 1999, among Lincoln Technical Institute, Inc., Back to School Acquisition, L.L.C., and Five Mile River Capital Partners LLC. (1).
  
4.2Letter agreement, dated August 9, 2000, by Back to School Acquisition, L.L.C., amending the Stockholders’ Agreement (1).
  
4.3Letter agreement, dated August 9, 2000, by Lincoln Technical Institute, Inc., amending the Stockholders’ Agreement (1).
  
4.4Management Stockholders Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2002, by and among Lincoln Technical Institute, Inc., Back to School Acquisition, L.L.C. and the Stockholders and other holders of options under the Management Stock Option Plan listed therein (1).
  
4.5Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and Back to School Acquisition, L.L.C. (2).
  
4.6Specimen Stock Certificate evidencing shares of common stock (1).
  
10.1Credit Agreement, dated as of February 15, 2005, among the Company, the Guarantors from time to time parties thereto, the Lenders from time to time parties thereto and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as Administrative Agent (1).
  
10.2Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2007, between the Company and David F. Carney (4).
  
10.3Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2007, between the Company and Lawrence E. Brown (4).
  
10.4Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2007, between the Company and Scott M. Shaw (4).
  
10.5Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2007, between the Company and Cesar Ribeiro (4).
  
10.6Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2007, between the Company and Shaun E. McAlmont (4).
  
10.7Lincoln Educational Services Corporation 2005 Long Term Incentive Plan (1).
  
10.8Lincoln Educational Services Corporation 2005 Non Employee Directors Restricted Stock Plan (1).
  
10.9Lincoln Educational Services Corporation 2005 Deferred Compensation Plan (1).
  
10.10Lincoln Technical Institute Management Stock Option Plan, effective January 1, 2002 (1).
  
10.11Form of Stock Option Agreement, dated January 1, 2002, between Lincoln Technical Institute, Inc. and certain participants (1).

2024

 
10.12Management Stock Subscription Agreement, dated January 1, 2002, among Lincoln Technical Institute, Inc. and certain management investors (1).
  
10.13Stockholder’s Agreement among Lincoln Educational Services Corporation, Back to School Acquisition L.L.C., Steven W. Hart and Steven W. Hart 2003 Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (2).
  
10.14Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2006, among Lincoln Technical Institute, Inc., and Richard I. Gouse, Andrew T. Gouse, individually and as Trustee of the Carolyn Beth Gouse Irrevocable Trust, Seth A. Kurn and Steven L. Meltzer (3).
  
Certification of Chairman & Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  
Certification of Chairman & Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


(1)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-123664).

(2)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K dated June 28, 2005.

(3)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006.

(4)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.

*Filed herewith.

2125


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date: May 10,November 9, 2007

 LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION
 
    
 By:/s/ Cesar Ribeiro
  Cesar Ribeiro
  Chief Financial Officer
  (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)
 
 
22
26