Universal Technical Institute - 10-Q quarterly report FY

 

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

     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  þ     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).

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

     At February 7, 2006, there were 28,051,573 shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock.

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

     We are a leading provider of post-secondary education for students seeking careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians, as measured by total undergraduate enrollment and number of graduates. We offer undergraduate degree, diploma and certificate programs at ten campuses across the United States. We also offer manufacturer specific advanced training (MSAT) programs, that are sponsored by the manufacturer or dealer, at 20 dedicated training centers. We work closely with leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the automotive, diesel, motorcycle and marine industries to understand their needs for qualified service professionals.

     The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, our condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods have been included. Operating results for the three months ended December 31, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 14, 2005.

     The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (UTI) and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

     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, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

     Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications have no impact on previously reported net income.

     In March 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation No. 47 (FIN 47), “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations”. FIN 47 clarifies the manner in which uncertainties concerning the timing and method of settlement of an asset retirement obligation should be accounted for and when the fair value of an asset retirement obligation is deemed to be estimable on a reasonable basis. FIN 47 is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005. Our adoption of FIN 47 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

     In May 2005, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections”, (SFAS No. 154). This statement replaces Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 20, “Accounting Changes”, (APB No. 20) and SFAS No. 3, “Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements”. SFAS No. 154 provides guidance on the accounting for and reporting of accounting changes and error corrections. The intent of SFAS No. 154 is to improve financial reporting by enhancing the consistency of financial information between periods. SFAS No. 154 also provides guidance for determining whether retrospective application of a change in accounting principle is impracticable and for reporting a change when retrospective application is impracticable. SFAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. We believe our adoption of SFAS No. 154 will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

     Effective October 1, 2005, we adopted SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment”, which is a revision of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (SFAS No. 123). We have adopted SFAS No. 123(R) using the modified prospective application transition method. SFAS No. 123(R) supersedes APB No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and amends SFAS No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows”. SFAS No. 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values.

     In November 2005, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) FAS 123(R)-3, “Transition Election Related to Accounting for the Tax Effects of Share-Based Payment Awards”. This FSP requires an entity to follow either the transition guidance for the additional paid-in-capital pool as prescribed in SFAS No. 123(R), or the alternative method as described in the FSP. An entity that adopts SFAS No. 123(R) using the modified prospective application transition method may make a one-time election to adopt the transition method described in this FSP. An entity may take up to one year from the later of its adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) or the effective date of this FSP to evaluate its available transition alternatives and make its one-time election. This FSP became effective in November 2005.

     For the three months ended December 31, 2005, our consolidated financial statements reflect the impact of SFAS No. 123(R). In accordance with the modified prospective transition method, which results in recognition of compensation expense for all stock option and other equity-based awards that vest or become exercisable after the effective date of adoption, our consolidated financial statements for prior periods have not been restated to reflect, and do not include the impact of SFAS No. 123(R).

     SFAS No. 123(R) requires us to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), we accounted for stock-based awards to employees using the intrinsic value method in accordance with APB No. 25 as allowed under SFAS No. 123.

     Awards which vested in fiscal year 2005 and earlier were accounted for under the intrinsic value method prescribed in APB No. 25. If we had elected to recognize compensation cost based on the fair value (estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model) of the awards at the grant date in accordance with SFAS No. 123, net earnings would have been the pro forma amounts shown as follows:

     Stock-based compensation expense recognized for the three months ended December 31, 2005 included compensation expense for share-based payment awards granted prior to, but not yet vested as of September 30, 2005, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the pro forma provisions of SFAS No. 123. There were no share-based payment awards granted during the three months ended December 31, 2005. We recognize compensation expense using the straight-line single-option method. Stock-based compensation expense, recognized for the three months ended December 31, 2005, is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, and accordingly it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. SFAS No. 123(R) requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant. The forfeitures are revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. In our pro forma information required under SFAS No. 123 for the periods prior to fiscal 2006, we accounted for forfeitures as they occurred.

     For the three months ended December 31, 2005, we recognized $0.1 million, $0.1 million net of tax, in educational services and facilities expenses and $0.9 million, $0.6 million net of tax in selling, general and administrative expenses related to stock option compensation under SFAS No. 123(R). For the three months ended December 31, 2004, we recognized $0.0 million related to stock compensation under APB No. 25. As of December 31, 2005, unrecognized stock compensation expense related to unvested options was $10,311,000, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.6 years.

     The total intrinsic value of options which vested during the three months ended December 31, 2005 were $3.4 million. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended December 31, 2005 was $0.1 million and during the three months ended December 31, 2004 was $1.6 million. The total cash received as a result of employee stock option exercises for the three months ended December 31, 2005 was $0.3 million and for the three months ended December 31, 2004 was $0.4 million. The tax benefits realized in connection with these

exercises for the three months ended December 31, 2005 were $0.0 million and for the three months ended December 31, 2004 were $0.5 million.

     Our determination of fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by our stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to our expected stock price volatility, the expected term of the awards and actual and projected employee stock exercise behaviors.

     As of September 30, 2005, we have two stock option plans, which we refer to as the Management 2002 Stock Option Program (2002 Plan) and the 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (2003 Plan).

     The 2002 Plan was approved and adopted on April 1, 2002 and authorized the issuance of options to purchase 746,022 shares of our common stock. On February 25, 2003, our Board of Directors authorized an additional 36,978 shares to be issued under options to purchase our common stock.

     Options issued under the 2002 Plan vest ratably each year over a four-year period. The expiration date of options granted under the 2002 Plan is the earlier of the ten-year anniversary of the grant date; the one-year anniversary of the termination of the participant’s employment by reason of death or disability; thirty days after the date of the participant’s termination of employment if caused by reasons other than death, disability, cause, material breach or unsatisfactory performance or on the termination date if termination occurs for reasons of cause, material breach or unsatisfactory performance. We do not intend to grant any additional options under the 2002 Plan.

     The 2003 Plan was approved and adopted effective December 22, 2003 upon consummation of the initial public offering. The 2003 Plan authorized the issuance of options to purchase approximately 4.4 million shares of our common stock at the fair market value of our common stock as of the grant date. Under the 2003 Plan, options generally become exercisable over a four year period. The expiration date of options granted under the 2003 Plan is the earlier of the ten-year anniversary of the grant date; the one-year anniversary of the termination of the participant’s employment by reason of death or disability; ninety days after the date of the participant’s termination of employment if caused by reasons other than death, disability, cause, material breach or unsatisfactory performance or on the termination date if termination occurs for reasons of cause, material breach or unsatisfactory performance. At December 31, 2005, 4.4 million shares of common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2003 Plan, of which 2.6 million shares are available for future grant.

     Stock option activity for the three months ended December 31, 2005 is summarized as follows:

     Stock options exercisable at:

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2005:

     Basic net income per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per share reflects the assumed conversion of all dilutive securities. For the three months ended December 31, 2005, 592,421 shares, that could be issued under outstanding options, were not included in the determination of our diluted shares outstanding, as they were anti-dilutive. For the three months ended December 31, 2004, 34,200 shares, that could be issued under outstanding options, were not included in the determination of our diluted shares outstanding, as they were anti-dilutive.

     The table below reflects the calculation of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding used in computing basic and diluted net income per common share:

     Restricted investments represent collateral provided to the issuer of our letter of credit in favor of the United States Department of Education (ED). At September 30, 2005, we had an outstanding letter of credit in favor of ED in the amount of $14.4 million which was collateralized by a United States government agency discount note with a scheduled maturity in November 2005. During October 2005, we received notification from ED that we are no longer required to post a letter of credit, based upon ED’s review of our 2004 fiscal year financial statements. ED returned the letter of credit in November 2005, and the restricted investment balance of $16.2 million was released and became available for general corporate use.

     Property and equipment, net consist of the following:

     At September 30, 2005, construction in progress includes $11.1 million of building improvements related to the retrofitting of our Norwood, Massachusetts building, which was completed and placed in service during November 2005. At December 31, 2005, construction in progress includes $4.4 million related to construction of our permanent Sacramento, California building and $2.0 million related to our campus expansion in Orlando, Florida.

     Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following:

     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, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

     As we have previously reported, in April 2004, we received a letter on behalf of nine former employees of National Technology Transfer, Inc. (NTT), an entity that we purchased in 1998 and subsequently sold, making a demand for an aggregate payment of approximately $284,900 and 19,756 shares of our common stock. On February 23, 2005, the former employees filed suit in Maricopa County, Arizona Superior Court. We filed a motion for summary judgment and by minute entry dated December 22, 2005, the Arizona Superior Court granted our motion on all claims. The plaintiffs have filed a motion requesting that the court amend and vacate its minute entry. Final judgment has not been entered. We believe the demand for payment is without merit.

     We follow SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.” SFAS No. 131 establishes standards for the way that public business enterprises report certain information about operating segments in their financial reports. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated on a regular basis by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in assessing performance of the segment and in deciding how to allocate resources to an individual segment. SFAS No. 131 also established standards for related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas and major customers.

     Our principal business is providing post-secondary education. We also provide manufacturer-specific training, and these operations are managed separately from our campus operations. These operations do not currently meet the quantitative criteria for segments and therefore are not deemed reportable under SFAS No. 131 and are reflected in the Other category. Corporate expenses are allocated to Post-Secondary Education and the Other category.

     Our discussion of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP. During the preparation of these financial statements, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions, including those related to revenue recognition, bad debts, fixed assets, long-lived assets, including goodwill, stock-based compensation, income taxes and contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. The results of our analysis form the basis for making assumptions about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions, and the impact of such differences may be material to our consolidated financial statements.

     We believe that the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.

     Revenue recognition. Net revenues consist primarily of student tuition and fees derived from the programs we provide after reductions are made for guarantees and scholarships we sponsor. Tuition and fee revenue is recognized on a pro-rata straight-line basis over the term of the course or program offered. If a student withdraws from a program prior to a specified date, any paid but unearned tuition is refunded. Approximately 97% of our net revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2005 consisted of tuition. Our net revenues vary from period to period in conjunction with our average student population. The majority of our undergraduate programs are designed to be completed in 12 to 18 months and our advanced programs range from 12 to 27 weeks in duration. We supplement our core revenues with sales of textbooks and program supplies, student housing provided by us and other revenues. Sales of textbooks and program supplies, revenue related to student housing and other revenue are each recognized as sales occur or services are performed. Deferred tuition represents the excess of tuition and fee payments received as compared to tuition and fees earned and is reflected as a current liability in our consolidated financial statements because it is expected to be earned within the following twelve-month period.

     Allowance for uncollectible accounts. We maintain an allowance for uncollectible accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability, failure or refusal of our students to make required payments. We offer a variety of payment plans, which are unsecured and not guaranteed, to help students pay that portion of their education expenses not covered by financial aid programs. Management analyzes accounts receivable, historical percentages of uncollectible accounts, customer credit worthiness, when applicable, and changes in payment history when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for uncollectible accounts. We use an internal group of collectors, augmented by third party collectors as deemed appropriate, in our collection efforts. 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.

     Healthcare and workers’ compensation costs. Claims and insurance costs which primarily relate to health insurance and workers’ compensation are accrued using current information and, in the case of healthcare costs, future estimates provided by consultants to reasonably measure current costs incurred for services provided but not invoiced. Although we believe our estimated liability recorded for healthcare and workers’ compensation costs are reasonable, actual results could differ and require adjustment of the recorded balance.

     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 graduation outcomes. Although we believe our estimated liability recorded for bonuses is reasonable, actual results could differ and require adjustment of the recorded balance.

     Tool Sets. We accrue the estimated cost of promotional tool sets offered to students at the time of enrollment and provided at a future date based upon satisfaction of certain criteria, including completion of certain course work. We accrue these costs based upon current student information and an estimate of students that will complete the requisite coursework. Although we believe our estimated liability for tool sets is reasonable, actual results could differ and require adjustment of the recorded balance.

     Long-lived assets. We record our long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, at cost. We review the carrying value of our long-lived assets for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” We evaluate these assets to determine if their current recorded value is impaired by examining estimated future cash flows. These cash flows are evaluated by using weighted probability techniques as well as comparisons of past performance against projections. Assets may also be evaluated by identifying independent market values. If we determine that an asset’s carrying value is impaired, we will record a write-down of the carrying value of the identified asset and charge the impairment as an operating expense in the period in which the determination is made. Although we believe that the carrying value of our long-lived assets are appropriately stated, changes in strategy or market conditions or significant technological developments could significantly impact these judgments and require adjustments to recorded asset balances.

     Goodwill. We assess the impairment of goodwill in accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” Accordingly, we test our goodwill for impairment annually during the fourth quarter, 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. We utilize the present value of future cash flow approach, subject to a comparison for reasonableness to our market capitalization at the date of valuation in determining fair value. If we determine that an 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. Goodwill represents a significant portion of our total assets. At December 31, 2005, goodwill represented approximately 9.5% of our total assets, or $20.6 million, and was a result of our acquisition of the parent company of our MMI operation in January of 1998. Although we believe goodwill is appropriately stated in our consolidated financial statements, changes in strategy or market conditions could significantly impact these judgments and require an adjustment to the recorded balance.

     Stock-based compensation. For the three months ended December 31, 2005, our consolidated financial statements reflect the impact of SFAS No. 123(R). In accordance with the modified prospective transition method, which results in recognition of compensation expense for all stock option and other equity-based awards that vest or become exercisable after the effective date of adoption, our consolidated financial statements for prior periods have not been restated to reflect, and do not include the impact of SFAS No. 123(R).

     SFAS No. 123(R) requires us to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), we accounted for stock-based awards to employees using the intrinsic value method in accordance with APB No. 25 as allowed under SFAS No. 123.

     Awards which vested in fiscal year 2005 and earlier were accounted for under the intrinsic value method prescribed in APB No. 25. If we had elected to recognize compensation cost based on the fair value (estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model) of the awards at the grant date in accordance with SFAS No. 123, net earnings would have been the pro forma amounts shown as follows:

     Stock-based compensation expense recognized for the three months ended December 31, 2005 included compensation expense for share-based payment awards granted prior to, but not yet vested as of September 30, 2005, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the pro forma provisions of SFAS No. 123. There were no share-based payment awards granted during the three months ended December 31, 2005. We recognize compensation expense using the straight-line single-option method. Stock-based compensation expense, recognized for the three months ended December 31, 2005, is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, and accordingly it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. SFAS No. 123(R) requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant. The forfeitures are revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. In our pro forma information required under SFAS No. 123 for the periods prior to fiscal 2006, we accounted for forfeitures as they occurred.

     For the three months ended December 31, 2005, we recognized $0.1 million, $0.1 million net of tax, in educational services and facilities expenses and $0.9 million, $0.6 million net of tax, in selling, general and administrative expenses related to stock option compensation under SFAS No. 123(R). For the three months ended December 31, 2004, we recognized $0.0 million related to stock compensation under APB No. 25. As of December 31, 2005, unrecognized stock compensation expense related to unvested options was $10,311,000, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.6 years.

     The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended December 31, 2005 was $0.1 million and during the three months ended December 31, 2004 was $1.6 million. The total cash received as a result of employee stock option exercises for the three months ended December 31, 2005 was $0.3 million and for the three months ended December 31, 2004 was $0.4 million. The tax benefits realized in connection with these exercises for the three months ended December 31, 2005 were $0.0 million and for the three months ended December 31, 2004 were $0.5 million.

     Our determination of fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by our stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to our expected stock price volatility, the expected term of the awards and actual and projected employee stock exercise behaviors.

     As of September 30, 2005, we have two stock option plans, which we refer to as the Management 2002 Stock Option Program (2002 Plan) and the 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (2003 Plan).

     The 2002 Plan was approved and adopted on April 1, 2002 and authorized the issuance of options to purchase 746,022 shares of our common stock. On February 25, 2003, our Board of Directors authorized an additional 36,978 shares to be issued under options to purchase our common stock.

     Options issued under the 2002 Plan vest ratably each year over a four-year period. The expiration date of options granted under the 2002 Plan is the earlier of the ten-year anniversary of the grant date; the one-year anniversary of the termination of the participant’s employment by reason of death or disability; thirty days after the date of the participant’s termination of employment if caused by reasons other than death, disability, cause, material breach or unsatisfactory performance or on the termination date if termination occurs for reasons of cause, material breach or unsatisfactory performance. We do not intend to grant any additional options under the 2002 Plan.

     The 2003 Plan was approved and adopted effective December 22, 2003 upon consummation of the initial public offering. The 2003 Plan authorized the issuance of options to purchase approximately 4.4 million shares of our common stock at the fair market value of our common stock as of the grant date. Under the 2003 Plan, options generally become exercisable over a four year period. The expiration date of options granted under the 2003 Plan is the earlier of the ten-year anniversary of the grant date; the one-year anniversary of the termination of the participant’s employment by reason of death or disability; ninety days after the date of the participant’s termination of employment if caused by reasons other than death, disability, cause, material breach or unsatisfactory performance or on the termination date if termination occurs for reasons of cause, material breach or unsatisfactory performance. At December 31, 2005, 4.4 million shares of common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2003 Plan, of which 2.6 million shares were available for future grant.

     Stock option activity for the three months ended December 31, 2005 is summarized as follows:

     Stock options exercisable at:

     The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2005:

     Accounting for income taxes. In preparing our consolidated financial statements, we assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be realized from future taxable income. We establish a valuation allowance if we determine that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be realized. Changes in the valuation allowance are included in our statement of operations as provision for or benefit from income taxes. We exercise significant judgment in determining our provision for income taxes, our deferred tax assets and liabilities and our future taxable income for purposes of assessing our ability to utilize any future tax benefit from our deferred tax assets. Although we believe that our tax estimates are reasonable, the ultimate tax determination involves significant judgments that could become subject to audit by tax authorities in the ordinary course of business.

     As of December 31, 2005, we had a valuation allowance of $16.2 million to reduce our deferred tax assets to an amount that management believes is more likely than not realizable. The valuation allowance primarily relates to a deferred tax asset arising from a capital loss carryforward from the sale of a discontinued business and expires in 2006. We do not expect to generate capital gains substantial enough to utilize the capital loss carryforward before its expiration.

     In March 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation No. 47 (FIN 47), “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations”. FIN 47 clarifies the manner in which uncertainties concerning the timing and method of settlement of an asset retirement obligation should be accounted for and when the fair value of an asset retirement obligation is deemed to be estimable on a reasonable basis. FIN 47 is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005. Our adoption of FIN 47 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

     In May 2005, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Standards (SFAS) No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections,” (SFAS No. 154). This statement replaces Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 20, “Accounting Changes”, (APB No. 20) and SFAS No. 3, “Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements”. SFAS No. 154 provides guidance on the accounting for and reporting of accounting changes and error corrections. The intent of SFAS No. 154 is to improve financial reporting by enhancing the consistency of financial information between periods. SFAS No. 154 also provides guidance for determining whether retrospective application of a change in accounting principle is impracticable and for reporting a change when retrospective application is impracticable. SFAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. We believe our adoption of SFAS No. 154 will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

     Effective October 1, 2005, we adopted SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment”, which is a revision of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (SFAS No. 123). We have adopted SFAS No. 123(R) using the modified prospective application transition method. SFAS No. 123(R) supersedes APB No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, and amends SFAS No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows”. SFAS No. 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values.

     In November 2005, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) FAS 123(R)-3, “Transition Election Related to Accounting for the Tax Effects of Share-Based Payment Awards”. This FSP requires an entity to follow either the transition guidance for the additional paid-in-capital pool as prescribed in SFAS No. 123(R), or the alternative transition method as described in the FSP. An entity that adopts SFAS No. 123(R) using the modified prospective application may make a one-time election to adopt the transition method described in this FSP. An entity may take up to one year from the later of its adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) or the effective date of this FSP to evaluate its available transition alternatives and make its one-time election. This FSP became effective in November 2005.

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

     Net revenues. Our revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2005 were $85.5 million, representing an increase of $12.2 million, or 16.6%, as compared to net revenues of $73.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004. This increase was due to a 12.3% increase in the average undergraduate full-time student enrollment and tuition increases partially offset by one less earning day for the three months ended December 31, 2005 compared to December 31, 2004, resulting from the timing of our holiday break. Average undergraduate full time student enrollment increased to 17,427 for the three months ended December 31, 2005 as compared to 15,525 for the three months ended December 31, 2004.

     Educational services and facilities expenses. Our educational services and facilities expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2005 were $40.1 million, representing an increase of $6.7 million, or 20.2%, as compared to educational services and facilities expenses of $33.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004. The increase in educational services and facilities expenses was primarily due to increases in compensation costs of approximately $4.1 million and depreciation expense of approximately $0.9 million. These increases represent incremental educational expenses related to additional personnel to support higher average student enrollments and campus expansions and one less earning

day of revenue as discussed previously.

     Educational services and facilities as a percentage of net revenues increased 1.4% to 46.9% for the three months ended December 31, 2005 as compared to 45.5% for the three months ended December 31, 2004. The increase in educational services and facilities as a percentage of net revenues is attributable to increases in compensation costs representing 1.2% of the increase and depreciation expense representing 0.8% of the increase. These increases as a percentage of net revenues were offset partially by decreases in tools expense and facilities costs. Educational services and facilities for the three months ended December 31, 2005 includes approximately $0.1 million related to stock compensation attributable to our adoption of SFAS No. 123(R).

     For the three months ended December 31, 2005, start-up costs were $1.1 million related to our new Sacramento, California campus and $1.8 million related to our Norwood, Massachusetts campus for total start-up costs of $2.9 million. For the three months ended December 31, 2004, start-up costs were $2.1 million related to our Exton, Pennsylvania campus.

     Selling, general and administrative expenses. Our selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2005 were $29.2 million, an increase of $4.7 million, or 19.0%, as compared to selling, general and administrative expenses of $24.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to increases in compensation costs of approximately $3.4 million which includes $0.9 million related to stock-based compensation attributable to our adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) and advertising costs of approximately $1.0 million. These increases are partially offset by reductions in contract and professional services of approximately $0.7 million. The increases in compensation costs and advertising costs are attributable to increased personnel and advertising supporting higher average student enrollments and recognition of stock compensation expense in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R). The decrease in contract and professional services is primarily attributable to reduced legal costs and lower costs associated with Sarbanes-Oxley compliance efforts. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue is primarily the result of our adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) and the recognition of $0.9 million in stock compensation expense.

     Selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of net revenues increased 0.7% to 34.1% for the three months ended December 31, 2005 as compared to 33.4% for the three months ended December 31, 2004. The increase in selling, general and administrative as a percentage of net revenues is attributable to increases in compensation costs representing 1.1% of the increase and advertising costs representing 0.5% of the increase which are offset partially by reductions in contract and professional services representing 1.1%.

     For the three months ended December 31, 2005, start-up costs were $1.0 million related to our new Sacramento, California campus and were $1.4 million related to our Norwood, Massachusetts campus for total start-up costs of $2.4 million. For the three months ended December 31, 2004, start-up costs were $1.6 million related to our Exton, Pennsylvania campus and $0.3 million related to our Norwood, Massachusetts campus for total start-up costs of $1.9 million.

     Interest income. Our interest income for the three months ended December 31, 2005 was approximately $0.8 million, representing an increase of approximately $0.5 million or 196.0%, compared to interest income of approximately $0.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004. The increase in interest income is primarily attributable to the increase in available investment funds as well as higher interest rate returns.

     Income taxes. Our provision for income taxes for the three months ended December 31, 2005 was $6.7 million, or 39.6% of pretax income, compared to $5.9 million, or 37.4% of pretax income, for the three months ended December 31, 2004. The higher effective rate for the three months ended December 31, 2005 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2004 was primarily attributable to overall higher state tax rates and the reduction of state tax incentives.

     We finance our operating activities and our internal growth through cash generated from operations. Our net cash from operations was $18.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005 compared to $21.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004. Cash provided by operations for the three month period

ended December 31, 2004 includes the favorable impact of the release of restricted cash in the amount of $10.4 million.

     A majority of our revenues are derived from Title IV Programs. Federal regulations dictate the timing of disbursements of funds under Title IV Programs. Students must apply for a new loan for each academic year (thirty-week periods) and loan funds are generally provided by lenders in two disbursements for each academic year. The first disbursement is usually received 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 from the start of the student’s academic year. Certain types of grants and other funding are not subject to a 30-day delay. Our undergraduate programs are typically designed to be completed in 12 to 18 months. These timing factors, together with the timing of when our students begin their programs, affect our operating cash flow.

     For the three months ended December 31, 2005, our cash flows provided by operating activities were $18.0 million due to net income from operations of $10.3 million, plus net adjustments of $4.0 million for non-cash and other items plus $3.7 million related to the change in our operating assets and liabilities.

     For the three months ended December 31, 2004, our cash flows provided by operating activities were $21.5 million due to net income from operations of $9.8 million, plus net adjustments of $4.0 million for non-cash and other items plus $7.7 million related to the change in our operating assets and liabilities.

     For the three months ended December 31, 2005, our primary adjustments to our net earnings from operations for non-cash and other items were depreciation and amortization of $3.2 million, substantially all of which was depreciation, bad debt expense of $1.2 million and stock-based compensation of $1.0 million related to our adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) partially offset by a reduction in deferred income taxes of $1.4 million.

     For the three months ended December 31, 2004, our primary adjustments to our net earnings from operations for non-cash and other items were depreciation and amortization of $2.2 million, substantially all of which was depreciation, bad debt expense of $1.0 million, tax benefit derived from option exercises of $0.5 million and deferred income taxes of $0.3 million.

     For the three months ended December 31, 2005, cash flows of $3.7 million were provided relating to changes in our operating assets and liabilities primarily resulting from changes in accounts receivables, deferred revenue and income tax payable partially offset by cash outflows attributable to accounts payable and accrued expenses. The timing of tuition funding resulted in a decrease in accounts receivable of $1.5 million and an increase in deferred revenue of $2.2 million resulting in a combined positive cash flow of $3.7 million. The increase in income tax payable of $5.8 million is primarily attributable to overall higher state tax rates and a reduction of state tax incentives. The increase in cash used in accounts payable and accrued expenses is primarily attributable to a reduction in accrued salary and benefits as a result of the payment of performance bonuses attributable to our 2005 fiscal year.

     For the three months ended December 31, 2004, the $7.7 million relating to the change in our operating assets and liabilities was primarily due to changes in restricted cash and income tax payable partially offset by cash outflows attributable to accounts payable and accrued expenses, accounts receivable and deferred revenue. A significant non-recurring change in operating assets and liabilities was the release of $10.4 million in restricted cash related to collateral provided for a letter of credit issued in favor of ED. The collateral was released upon expiration of the letter of credit. The timing of tuition funding and the extension of loans by us to students while

we awaited the approval of Title IV funding for our Exton, Pennsylvania campus resulted in an increase in accounts receivable of $2.6 million and an increase of deferred revenue of $1.0 million resulting in combined use of cash of $1.6 million. The increase in cash used in accounts payable and accrued expenses is primarily attributable to a reduction in accrued salary and benefits as a result of the payment of performance bonuses attributable to our 2004 fiscal year.

     Our days sales outstanding (DSO) in accounts receivable was approximately 25 days at December 31, 2005 compared to 26 days at December 31, 2004.

     At December 31, 2005, our working capital was $19.5 million primarily attributable to cash generated by our operations.

     For the three months ended December 31, 2005, cash flows from investing activities were $9.5 million and were primarily related to proceeds of $16.2 million from the release of our restricted investments that provided cash collateral for our letter of credit issued in favor of ED, partially offset by $6.8 million in capital expenditures primarily associated with new campus construction and existing campus expansions.

     For the three months ended December 31, 2004, cash flows used in investing activities were $18.9 million and were primarily related to proceeds of $15.8 million used to purchase securities with the intent to hold to maturity and $3.1 million in capital expenditures.

     For the three months ended December 31, 2005, cash flows from financing activities were $0.3 million and were primarily due to proceeds of $0.2 million related to stock issued under employee option plans.

     For the three months ended December 31, 2004, cash flows from financing activity were $0.6 million and were primarily due to proceeds of $0.6 million related to stock issued under employee option plans.

     Based on past performance and current expectations, we believe that our cash flows from operations will satisfy our working capital needs, capital expenditures, commitments, and other liquidity requirements associated with our operations through the next 12 months. We believe that the most strategic uses of our cash resources include expanding new and existing campuses and expanding our program offerings. In addition, our long term strategy includes considering strategic acquisitions. To the extent that potential acquisitions are large enough to require financing beyond cash from operations and available borrowings under our credit facility, we may incur additional debt or issue debt resulting in increased interest expense.

     During fiscal 2005, under the terms of our credit agreement, we issued a letter of credit in favor of ED in the amount of $14.4 million that was collateralized by a $16.2 million restricted investment held in marketable securities. During October 2005, we were notified by ED that our letter of credit was no longer required. Upon release of the letter of credit, our restricted investment balance of approximately $16.2 million became available for general corporate use. At December 31, 2005, we have no borrowings under our credit facility and we were in compliance with all covenants.

     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 schools have had lower student populations in our third fiscal quarter, which ends on June 30, than in the remainder of our fiscal year because fewer students are enrolled during the summer months. In addition, school is not in session during the one-week holiday break which occurs in December. As a result, first quarter revenue does not correlate to the peak in student population. Our normal operating expenses, however, do not vary significantly with changes in our student population and net revenues and, as a result, such expenses do not fluctuate significantly on a quarterly basis. We expect quarterly fluctuation 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 or acquisitions.

     Operating income is negatively impacted during the initial start up of new campus openings. We incur sales and marketing costs as well as campus personnel costs in advance of the campus opening. Typically we begin to incur such costs approximately 12 to 15 months in advance of the campus opening with the majority of the costs being incurred in the nine-month period prior to a campus opening. We incurred start-up losses of approximately $2.3 million during the three months ended December 31, 2005 compared to start-up losses of approximately $0.4 million during the three months ended December 31, 2004 related to our Norwood, Massachusetts and Sacramento, California campuses. Our Norwood campus opened in June 2005 and our Sacramento campus opened at its temporary location in October 2005.

     Our principal exposure to market risk relates to interest rate changes. As of December 31, 2005, we do not have any term-debt. Consequently, we have minimal financial exposure to market risk.

     This report contains forward-looking information about our financial results, estimates and our business prospects that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. From time to time, we also may provide oral or written forward-looking statements in other materials we release to the public. Forward-looking statements are expressions of our current expectations or forecasts of future events. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historic or current facts. They often include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “will,” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, future performance or results, expenses, the outcome of contingencies, such as legal proceedings, and financial results. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are the following:

     We cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will be realized, although we believe we have been prudent in our plans and assumptions. Achievement of future results is subject to risks, uncertainties and inaccurate assumptions. Should known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, actual results could vary materially from past results and those anticipated, estimated or projected. Investors should bear this in mind as they consider forward-looking statements.

     We undertake no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our Form 10-Q, 8-K and 10-K reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Form 10-K that we filed with the SEC on December 14, 2005 listed various important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected and historic results. We note these factors for investors as permitted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers can find them under the heading “Cautionary Factors That May Affect Future Results” in the Form 10-K. We incorporate that section of the Form 10-K in this filing and investors should refer to it. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, you should not consider any such list to be a complete set of all potential risks or uncertainties. Our filings with the SEC may be accessed at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

     Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act), pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15 as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that (i) information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

     There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(d) that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2005 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

     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, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

     As we have previously reported, in April 2004, we received a letter on behalf of nine former employees of National Technology Transfer, Inc. (NTT), an entity that we purchased in 1998 and subsequently sold, making a demand for an aggregate payment of approximately $284,900 and 19,756 shares of our common stock. On February 23, 2005, the former employees filed suit in Maricopa County, Arizona Superior Court. We filed a motion for summary judgment and by minute entry dated December 22, 2005, the Arizona Superior Court granted our motion on all claims. The plaintiffs have filed a motion requesting that the court amend and vacate its minute entry. Final judgment has not been entered. We believe the demand for payment is without merit.

     Information regarding risk factors appears in Part I, Item 3 of this report under the heading “Cautionary Factors That May Affect Future Results” and in Part I, Item 1 of our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 14, 2005.

     (a) Exhibits (filed herewith):

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 thereunto duly authorized.