| **UNITED STATES**                                         |
|-----------------------------------------------------------|
| **SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION**                    |
| **Washington, D.C. 20549**                                |
| **_____________________________________________________** |
| **FORM 10-K**                                             |
| **ANNUAL REPORT**                                         |

 

(*Mark One*)

| x      | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
|--------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   | For the fiscal year ended                                                            | **December 31, 2008** |   |

OR

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

For the transition period from __________ to ___________

Commission file number        **1-13144**

 

| **ITT EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, INC.**                     |
|--------------------------------------------------------|
| (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |

 

|                            | **Delaware**                         | **36-2061311** |   |
|---------------------------------|--------------------------------------|----------------|--------|
| (State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| incorporation or organization)  |                                 |
|                                 |                                      |                |        |  |  |

 

**13000 North Meridian Street**

|                                     | **Carmel, Indiana** | **46032-1404** |
|------------------------------------------|---------------------|----------------|
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code)          |           |
|                                          |                     |                |  |  |

 

| Registrant's telephone number, including area code**(317) 706-9200** |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                                 |
| Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:          |

 

| Title of each class                                         | Name of each exchange on which registered |
|-------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|
| **COMMON STOCK, $.01 PAR VALUE**                            | **NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC.**         |
|                                                        |
| Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: |
|                                                        |
| **NONE**                                                    |

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

| Yes **x** | No **o** |
|-----------|----------|

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

| Yes **o** | No **x** |
|-----------|----------|

 

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 **x** | No **o** |
|-----------|----------|

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.      **x**

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

| Large accelerated filer **x**                                           | Accelerated filer **o**         |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------|
| Non-accelerated filer **o**(Do not check ifa smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company **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 **x** |
|-----------|----------|

 

**$3,201,983,231**

 

Aggregate market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant based on the last sale price for such stock at June 30, 2008 (assuming solely for the purposes of this calculation that all Directors and executive officers of the registrant are “affiliates”).

**38,822,389**

 

Number of shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value, outstanding at January 30, 2009.

 

**DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE**

 

Portions of the following documents have been incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

 

| **IDENTITY OF DOCUMENT** | **PARTS OF FORM 10-K INTO WHICH DOCUMENT IS INCORPORATED** |
|--------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|

 

| Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting | PART III |
|---------------------------------------------------|----------|

of Shareholders to be held May 5, 2009

 

 

 

**ITT EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, INC.**

**Carmel, Indiana**

 

**Annual Report to Securities and Exchange Commission**

**December 31, 2008**

 

 

**Table of Contents**

 

| PART I   | 1        |                                                                                                                             |
|----------|----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|     | Item 1.  | Business.                                                                                                                        | 1 |   |
|     | Item 1A. | Risk Factors.                                                                                                                    | 11 |   |
|     | Item 1B. | Unresolved Staff Comments.                                                                                                       | 24 |   |
|     | Item 2.  | Properties.                                                                                                                      | 24 |   |
|     | Item 3.  | Legal Proceedings.                                                                                                               | 25 |   |
|     | Item 4.  | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.                                                                             | 25 |   |
| PART II  | 25       |                                                                                                                             |
|     | Item 5.  | Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters                    and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. | 25 |   |
|     | Item 6.  | Selected Financial Data.                                                                                                         | 27 |   |
|     | Item 7.  | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.                                           | 28 |   |
|     | Item 7A. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.                                                                      | 42 |   |
|     | Item 8.  | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.                                                                                     | 42 |   |
|     | Item 9.  | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.                                            | 42 |   |
|     | Item 9A. | Controls and Procedures.                                                                                                         | 42 |   |
|     | Item 9B. | Other Information.                                                                                                               | 42 |   |
| PART III | 43       |                                                                                                                             |
|     | Item 10. | Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.                                                                          | 43 |   |
|     | Item 11. | Executive Compensation.                                                                                                          | 44 |   |
|     | Item 12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.                                  | 44 |   |
|     | Item 13. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.                                                       | 44 |   |
|     | Item 14. | Principal Accountant Fees and Services.                                                                                          | 44 |   |
| PART IV  | 45       |                                                                                                                             |
|     | Item 15. | Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.                                                                                      | 45 |   |

 

 

 

- i -

 

 

 

**PART I**

 

| **Item 1.** | **Business.** |
|-------------|---------------|

 

*Forward-Looking Statements: All statements, trend analyses and other information contained in this report that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of        the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements are made based on our management’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. You can identify those statements by the use of words such as “could,” “should,” “would,” “may,” “will,” “project,” “believe,” “anticipate,”        “expect,” “plan,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “potential,” “intend,” “continue,” and “contemplate,” as well as similar words and expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and do not guarantee future performance. We cannot assure you that future developments affecting us will be those anticipated by our management. Among the factors that could cause actual results to        differ materially are the following:*

 

| •     | *business conditions and growth in the postsecondary education industry and in the general economy;*                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | *changes in federal and state governmental regulations with respect to education and accreditation standards, or the interpretation or enforcement of those regulations, including, but not limited to, the level of government funding for, and our eligibility to participate in, student financial aid programs utilized by our students;* |
| **•** | *our failure to comply with the extensive education laws and regulations and accreditation standards that we are subject to;*                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| **•** | *effects of any change in our ownership resulting in a change in control, including, but not limited to, the consequences of such changes on the accreditation and federal and state regulation of our institutes;*                                                                                                                           |

| **•** | *our ability to implement our growth strategies;* |
|------------|---------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | *our failure to maintain or renew required regulatory authorizations or accreditations of our institutes;* |
|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | *receptivity of students and employers to our existing program offerings and new curricula;* |
|------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | *loss of access by our students to lenders for student loans;*                               |   |
| **•** | *our ability to collect internally funded financing from our students; and*                  |   |
| **•** | *our ability to successfully defend litigation and other claims brought against us.*         |   |

 

*Readers are also directed to other risks and uncertainties discussed in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report and those detailed from time to time in other documents we file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information,        future developments or otherwise.*

 

| *You should keep in mind the following points as you read this report:* |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

| **•** | *References in this document to “we,” “us,” “our” and “ITT/ESI” refer to ITT Educational Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries.*                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | *The terms “ITT Technical Institute” or “institute” (in singular or plural form) refer to an individual school owned and operated by ITT/ESI, including its learning sites, if any. The terms “institution” or “campus group” (in singular or plural form) mean a main campus and its additional locations, branch                    campuses and/or learning sites, if any.* |

 

**Background**

 

We are a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1946. Our principal executive offices are located at 13000 North Meridian Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032-1404, and our telephone number is (317) 706-9200. From 1966 until our initial public offering on December 27, 1994, we were wholly owned by ITT Corporation, an Indiana corporation, formerly a Delaware        corporation and formerly known as ITT Industries, Inc. (“Old ITT”). On September 29, 1995, ITT Corporation, a Nevada corporation (“ITT”), succeeded to the interests of Old ITT in the beneficial ownership of 83.3% of our common stock. Public offerings of our common stock by ITT in June 1998 and February 1999 and our repurchase of 1,500,000 shares of our common stock from ITT in February 1999 completely eliminated ITT’s beneficial ownership of any of our        common stock. 

 

**Overview**

 

We are a leading for-profit provider of postsecondary degree programs in the United States based on revenue and student enrollment. As of December 31, 2008, we were offering master, bachelor and associate degree programs to approximately 62,000 students. As of December 31, 2008, we had 105 institutes and nine learning sites located in 37 states. All of our        institutes are authorized by the applicable education authorities of the states in which they operate, 

 

- 1 -

 

 

and are accredited by an accrediting commission recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (“ED”). We design our education programs, after consultation with employers, to help graduates prepare for careers in various fields involving their areas of study. We have provided career-oriented education programs since 1969 under the “ITT Technical        Institute” name.

 

In 2008, we began operations at eight new institutes. In 2009, we plan to begin operations at six to eight new locations. In 2008, we continued our efforts to diversify our program offerings by developing residence and online programs at different levels in technology and non-technology fields of study that we intend to offer at our institutes. Most of our        residence associate degree and bachelor degree programs are being taught in residence on campus on a three-day-per-week class schedule or under our hybrid education delivery model, pursuant to which certain program courses are taught in residence on campus and others may be taught either entirely online over the Internet or partially online over the Internet and partially in residence on campus (the “Hybrid Delivery Model”). Our overall expansion plans        include:

 

| **•** | operating new institutes;                                                                      |   |
|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | adding learning sites to existing institutes;                                                  |   |
| **•** | offering a broader range of both residence and online programs at our existing institutes; and |
| **•** | increasing the number of our institutes that offer bachelor degree programs.                   |   |

 

**Business Strategy**

 

Our strategy is to pursue multiple opportunities for growth. We are implementing a growth strategy designed to increase revenue and operating efficiencies by increasing the number and types of program offerings and student enrollment at existing institutes, operating new institutes across the United States and adding learning sites to existing institutes.        The principal elements of this strategy include the following:

 

***Enhance Results at the Institute Level.***

 

*Increase Enrollments at Existing Institutes.*We intend to increase recruiting efforts that are primarily aimed at enrolling more working adults at our existing institutes, and make our programs more convenient for students. In addition, we believe that current demographic and employment trends will allow us to enroll a        greater number of recent high school graduates.

 

*Increase the Number of Programs Offered at Existing Institutes.*We intend to continue increasing the number of programs that we offer at our existing institutes. Our objective is to offer multiple programs at each institute. Our existing institutes provide significant potential for the introduction of our current programs        at a broader number of institutes. We believe that introducing our current programs at additional existing institutes will attract more students. In 2008, we added a total of 190 programs among 71 existing institutes, and in 2009 we intend to add approximately 250 of our current programs among approximately 95 existing institutes. We currently offer one or more of our online programs to students in 48 states and the District of Columbia. We intend to expand the number of our online        programs offered in each state in 2009.

 

*Develop Additional Programs**.*In 2008, we continued our efforts to diversify our program offerings by developing new residence and online programs in both technology and non-technology fields of study. In 2009, we plan to continue developing additional residence and online programs in technology        and non-technology fields of study. The new programs are expected to involve a variety of disciplines and be at the associate and bachelor degree levels. We intend to develop both a residence and online version of many of the new programs. We believe that offering new programs can attract a broader base of students, motivate current students to extend their studies and help us improve the utilization of our facilities.

 

*Extend Total Program Duration*.In 2008, we increased the number of our institutes that offer bachelor degree programs from 73 to 87. In 2009, we intend to increase the number of our institutes that offer bachelor degree programs to approximately 95. The average combined total program time that        students are enrolled in one or more of our programs has increased over time as a result of:

 

| **•** | a portion of the graduates of our associate degree programs enrolling in bachelor degree programs at our institutes; and                  |
|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | a portion of our new students beginning their studies in bachelor degree programs, instead of first completing associate degree programs. |

 

We believe that the average combined total program time of our students may increase further as we:

 

| **•** | increase the number of our institutes offering bachelor degree programs;            |   |
|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | add additional bachelor degree programs at our institutes; and                      |   |
| **•** | expand our online curricula offerings to include additional master degree programs. |

 

 

- 2 -

 

 

 

*Improve Student Outcomes.*We strive to improve the graduation and graduate employment rates of our undergraduate students by providing academic and career services and dedicating administrative resources to these services. 

 

***Geographically Expand Our Institutes and Learning Sites.***We plan to add new institutes and learning sites of existing institutes at locations throughout the United States. Using our proprietary methodology, we determine locations for new institutes and learning sites based on a number of factors, including demographics and        population and employment growth. The following table sets forth the number of new institutes and new learning sites that began operations in the years indicated:

 

|               | **2008** |   | **2007** |   | **2006** |
|--------------------|----------|--------|----------|--------|----------|
| New institutes     | 8        |   | 10       |   | 6        |
| New learning sites | --       |   | --       |   | 5        |
|               | 8        |   | 10       |   | 11       |

 

We plan to begin operations at six to eight new locations in 2009. We will also continue to consider acquiring schools. 

 

***Increase Margins By Leveraging Fixed Costs at Institute and Headquarters Levels.***Our efforts to optimize institute capacity and class size have allowed us to increase student enrollment without incurring a proportionate increase in fixed costs at our institutes. In addition, we have realized substantial operating        efficiencies by centralizing management functions and implementing operational uniformity among our institutes. We will continue to seek to improve margins by increasing enrollments and revenue without incurring a proportionate increase in fixed costs, and by reducing our variable costs.

 

**Programs of Study**

 

As of December 31, 2008, we were offering 33 degree programs in various fields of study across the following schools of study:

 

| **•** | information technology (“IT”); |
|------------|--------------------------------------------|
| **•** | electronics technology;                    |   |
| **•** | drafting and design;                       |   |
| **•** | business;                                  |   |
| **•** | criminal justice; and                      |   |
| **•** | health sciences.                           |   |

 

We design our programs to help graduates prepare for careers in various fields involving their education by offering students a broad-based foundation in a variety of skills used in those fields. The following table sets forth examples of various fields involving the subject matter of programs within a particular school of study in which graduates have        obtained entry-level positions:

 

 

- 3 -

 

 

 

 

| **School of Study**    |   | **Fields**                                 |
|------------------------|--------|--------------------------------------------|
| Business               |   | accounting                                 |
|                   |   | financial services                         |
|                   |   | marketing and advertising                  |
|                   |   | manufacturing                              |
| Drafting and Design    |   | computer-aided drafting                    |
|                   |   | electrical and electronics drafting        |
|                   |   | mechanical drafting                        |
|                   |   | architectural and construction drafting    |
|                   |   | civil drafting                             |
|                   |   | interior design                            |
|                   |   | landscape architecture                     |
|                   |   | multimedia communications                  |
| Electronics Technology |   | electronics product design and fabrication |
|                   |   | communications                             |
|                   |   | computer technology                        |
|                   |   | industrial electronics                     |
|                   |   | instrumentation                            |
|                   |   | telecommunications                         |
| Criminal Justice       |   | corrections                                |
|                   |   | security and policing                      |
|                   |   | investigations                             |
|                   |   | cyber security                             |
| IT                     |   | network administration                     |
|                   |   | technical support                          |
|                   |   | network technology                         |
|                   |   | systems technology                         |

 

Graduates of the programs in the school of health sciences are not included in the above table because we only began offering programs in that school in the last few years and, therefore, there were no graduates of those programs at the end of 2008. We believe that the graduates of our health sciences programs should obtain a variety of entry-level positions involving the        subject matter of their programs of study.

 

We generally organize the academic schedule for programs of study offered at our institutes on the basis of four 12-week academic quarters in a calendar year, with new students beginning at the start of each academic quarter. Students taking a full-time course load can complete our associate degree programs in eight academic quarters, bachelor degree        programs in 15 academic quarters and master degree program in seven academic quarters. We typically offer classes in most residence programs in:

 

| **•** | 3.5 to 5.5 hour sessions three days a week, Monday through Saturday, with all program courses taught entirely or partially in residence; or                   |
|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | two to three days a week, Monday through Saturday, with certain program courses taught entirely or partially online over the Internet most academic quarters. |

 

Depending on student enrollment, class sessions are generally available in the morning, afternoon and evening. The courses that are taught online over the Internet are delivered through an asynchronous learning network and have a prescribed schedule for completion of the coursework. The class schedule for our residence courses and the coursework completion schedule for our        online courses generally provide students with the flexibility to maintain employment concurrently with their studies. Based on student surveys, we believe that a substantial majority of our students work at least part-time during their programs of study. 

 

Most of our programs of study blend traditional academic content with applied learning concepts and have the objective of helping graduates prepare for a changing economic and/or technological environment. A significant portion of most programs offered at our institutes involves practical study in a lab environment. 

 

The learning objectives of most courses in each program of study are substantially the same among our institutes to provide greater uniformity and to better enable students to transfer, if necessary, to other institutes offering the same programs with less disruption to their education. We regularly review each curriculum to respond to changes in technology        and industry needs. Each of our institutes establishes an advisory committee for each field of study taught at that institute, which is comprised of representatives of local employers. These advisory committees assist our institutes in assessing curricula, equipment and laboratory design, and updating the curricula. In addition to courses 

 

- 4 -

 

 

directly related to a student's program of study, our programs also include general education courses in the humanities, composition, mathematics, the sciences and the social sciences.

 

Tuition for a student entering an undergraduate residence program in December 2008 for 36 quarter credit hours (the minimum course load of a full-time student for an academic year at traditional two- and four-year colleges) is $16,584 for all of our undergraduate residence programs, except as adjusted in some states to reflect applicable taxes and fees. We        typically adjust the tuition for our programs of study at least annually. The majority of students attending residence programs at our institutes lived in that institute's metropolitan area prior to enrollment. We do not provide any student housing. 

 

**Student Recruitment**

 

We strive to attract students with the motivation and ability to complete the career-oriented educational programs offered by our institutes. To generate interest among potential students, we engage in a broad range of activities to inform potential students and their parents about our institutes and the programs they offer. These activities include        television, Internet and other media advertising, direct mailings and high school presentations. We employ approximately 1,400 full- and part-time recruiting representatives to assist in local recruiting efforts. 

 

Local recruiting representatives of an institute pursue expressions of interest from potential students for our residence programs of study by contacting prospective students and arranging for interviews at the campus or any learning site of that institute. Occasionally, we also pursue expressions of interest from students for our residence programs of study        by contacting them and arranging for their attendance at a seminar providing information about the institute and its programs. We pursue expressions of interest from potential students for our online programs of study by providing program and resource information on our website and through telephone calls, electronic mail and the mail. 

 

Student recruitment activities are subject to substantial regulation at both the state and federal level and by our accrediting commission. Most states have bonding and licensing requirements that apply to many of our representatives and other employees involved in student recruitment. Our Vice President, Student Services, National Director Student        Recruitment and Regional Directors of Recruitment oversee the implementation of recruitment policies and procedures. In addition, our compliance department generally reviews student recruiting practices at each of our institutes on at least an annual basis. 

 

**Student Admission and Retention**

 

We strive to admit incoming students who have the ability to complete their chosen programs of study. We require all applicants for admission to any of our institutes' programs of study to have a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent. Depending on the program of study and the institute, applicants may also be required to pass an admission        examination or possess a designated number of credit hours or degree with a specified overall cumulative grade point average from an accredited postsecondary educational institution. The following table sets forth our student demographics as of December 31, 2008:

 

|                     |   | **Approximate Percent of Student Census** |
|--------------------------|--------|-------------------------------------------|
| **Student Demographics** |   | **December 31, 2008**                     | **December 31, 2007** |
| Age                      |   |                                      |   |
| 19 or less               |   | 13%                                       | 15% |
| 20 through 24            |   | 37%                                       | 38% |
| 25 through 30            |   | 26%                                       | 25% |
| 31 or over               |   | 24%                                       | 22% |
| Gender                   |   |                                      |   |
| Male                     |   | 76%                                       | 77% |
| Female                   |   | 24%                                       | 23% |
| Race                     |   |                                      |   |
| Caucasian                |   | 51%                                       | 53% |
| Minority (1)             |   | 49%                                       | 47% |
|                     |   |                                      |   |
|                          |        |                                           |  |  |  |

| (1) | Based on applicable federal classifications. |
|-----|----------------------------------------------|

 

The faculty and staff at each of our institutes strive to help students overcome obstacles to the completion of their programs of study. As is the case in other postsecondary institutions, however, students often fail to complete their programs for a variety of personal, financial or academic reasons. Student withdrawals prior to program completion not only        affect the students, they also have a negative regulatory, financial and marketing effect on the institute. To minimize student withdrawals, each of our institutes devotes staff resources to assist and advise students regarding academic and financial matters. We encourage academic advising and tutoring in the case of students experiencing 

 

- 5 -

 

 

academic difficulties. We also offer assistance and advice to students in our residence programs who are looking for part-time employment and housing. 

 

**Graduate Employment**

 

We believe that the success of our graduates who begin their careers in fields involving their programs of study is critical to the ability of our institutes to continue to recruit students. We try to obtain data on the number of students employed following graduation. The reliability of such data depends largely on information that students and employers        report to us. Based on this information, we believe that approximately 82% of the Employable Graduates (as defined below) from our institutes' programs during 2007 either obtained employment by April 30, 2008, or were already employed, in positions that required the direct or indirect use of skills taught in their programs of study. Employable Graduates include all of the graduates from our institutes, except for those graduates who:

 

| **•** | have been admitted into other programs of study at postsecondary educational institutions that are scheduled to begin within one academic year following their graduation; |
|------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | possessed visas that did not permit them to work in the United States following their graduation; |
|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | were personally suffering from a health condition that prevented them from working;               |   |
| **•** | were actively engaged in U.S. military service; or                                                |   |

| **•** | moved out of the Continental United States with a spouse or parent who was actively engaged in U.S. military service. |
|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

The definition of Employable Graduates is based on the information that our institutes are required to report to their accrediting commission, and this information is used, in part, by their accrediting commission to evaluate the student outcomes of our institutes.

 

Each of our institutes employs personnel to offer its students and graduates career services. These persons assist in job searches, solicit employment opportunities from employers and provide information on job search techniques, where to access employer information, writing resumes and how to prepare for, appear at and conduct oneself during job interviews.        

 

Based on information from graduates and employers who responded to our inquiries, the reported annualized salaries initially following graduation averaged approximately $32,400 for the Employable Graduates of our institutes’ programs who graduated in 2007 and obtained employment by April 30, 2008, or were already employed, in positions that required        the direct or indirect use of skills taught in their programs of study. The average annual salary initially following graduation for our Employable Graduates may vary significantly among our institutes depending on local employment conditions and each Employable Graduate’s background, prior work experience and willingness to relocate. Initial employers of Employable Graduates from our institutes’ programs include small, medium and large companies and governmental        agencies.

 

**Faculty**

 

We hire faculty members in accordance with criteria established by us, the accrediting commission that accredits our institutes and the state education authorities that regulate our institutes. We hire faculty with related work experience and/or academic credentials to teach most technical subjects. Faculty members at each institute typically include the        chairperson for each school or program of study and various categories of instructors, including full-time and adjunct.

 

**Administration and Employees**

 

Each of our institutes is managed by a director who has overall responsibility for the operation of the institute. The administrative staff of each institute also includes a director of recruitment, a director of finance, a registrar, a dean and a director of career services. As of December 31, 2008, we had approximately 4,620 full-time and 3,960 part-time        employees. None of our employees are represented by labor unions. 

 

| Our headquarters provides centralized services to all of our institutes in the following areas: |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

| **•**    accounting                                                                              | **•**    legal                                                             |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•**    marketing

**•**    public relations                           | **•**    regulatory

**•**    legislative affairs |
| **•**    curricula development

**•**    management information systems | **•**    real estate

**•**    human resources    |
| **•**    purchasing                                                                              | **•**    compliance/internal audit                                         |

 

 

- 6 -

 

 

In addition, national managers of each of the following major institute functions reside at our headquarters and develop policies and procedures to guide these functions at our institutes: 

 

| **•**    recruiting                                                        | **•**    career services                                         |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•**    financial aid

**•**    academic affairs | **•**    library

**•**    registration |

 

Managers located at our headquarters monitor the operating results of each of our institutes and regularly conduct on-site reviews. 

 

**Competition**

 

The postsecondary education market in the United States is highly fragmented and competitive, with no single private or public institution enjoying a significant market share. Our institutes compete for students with associate, bachelor and graduate degree-granting institutions, which include nonprofit public and private colleges and for-profit institutions,        as well as with alternatives to higher education such as military service or immediate employment. We believe competition among educational institutions is based on:

 

| **•** | the quality and reliability of the institution’s programs and student services;              |
|------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | the reputation of the institution and its programs and student services;                           |   |
| **•** | the type and cost of the institution’s programs;                                             |  |
| **•** | the employability of the institution’s graduates;                                            |  |
| **•** | the ability to provide easy and convenient access to the institution’s programs and courses; |
| **•** | the quality and experience of the institution’s faculty; and                                 |   |
| **•** | the time required to complete the institution’s programs.                                    |   |

 

Certain public and private colleges may offer programs similar to those offered by our institutes at a lower tuition cost due in part to government subsidies, foundation grants, tax deductible contributions, tax-exempt status or other financial resources not available to for-profit institutions. Other for-profit institutions offer programs that compete with those of our        institutes. Certain of our competitors in both the public and private sectors have greater financial and other resources than we do. 

 

**Federal and Other Financial Aid Programs**

 

In 2008, we indirectly derived approximately 73% of our revenue determined on an accrual accounting basis (or 72% determined on a cash accounting basis as defined by the ED’s regulations) from the federal student financial aid programs under Title IV (the “Title IV Programs”) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (the        “HEA”). Our institutes' students also rely on unaffiliated private loan programs, family contributions, personal savings, employment, state financial aid programs, scholarships and other resources to pay their educational expenses. The primary Title IV Programs from which the students at our institutes receive grants, loans and other aid to fund the cost of their education include: 

 

| **•** | the Federal Family Education Loan (the “FFEL”) program, which represented, in aggregate, approximately 59% of our revenue in 2008;                                                                                                                                                                      |
|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | the Federal Pell Grant (the “Pell”) program, which represented, in aggregate, approximately 13% of our revenue in 2008; and                                                                                                                                                                             |
| **•** | the Federal Work-Study (the “Work-Study”) program, which makes federal funds available to provide part-time employment to students and under which approximately 450 of our institutes’ students were employed and approximately $2,903,000 in student wages were paid by our institutes in 2008. |

 

The Work-Study program requires our institutions to make a 25% matching contribution for all of the federal funds the institution receives from the ED under that program. In 2008, our 25% matching contribution amounted to approximately $726,000.

 

In 2008, approximately 10% of our revenue was from internal student financing, and approximately 8% was from unaffiliated private education loan programs. The internal student financing that we have provided has and could continue to negatively impact our cash flows from operations, expose us to greater credit risk, and increase our bad debt expense and days        sales outstanding. In addition, we are financially responsible for certain loans made to students or their parents under an unaffiliated private education loan program. This program was terminated effective February 22, 2008. We do not believe that our financial responsibility with respect to those loans will have a material adverse affect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

 

- 7 -

 

 

 

**Highly Regulated Industry**

 

We are subject to extensive regulation by the ED, the state education and professional licensing authorities (collectively, the “SAs”) and the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (the “ACICS”), the accrediting commission that accredits our institutes. The statutes, regulations and standards applied by the ED, the        SAs and the ACICS are periodically revised and the interpretations of existing requirements are periodically modified. We cannot predict with certainty how all of the statutes, regulations and standards applied by the ED, the SAs and the ACICS will be interpreted.

 

At the federal level, the HEA and the regulations promulgated under the HEA by the ED set forth numerous, complex standards that institutions must satisfy in order to participate in Title IV Programs. To participate in Title IV Programs, an institution must:

 

| **•** | receive and maintain authorization by the appropriate SAs;           |   |
|------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | be accredited by an accrediting commission recognized by the ED; and |
| **•** | be certified as an eligible institution by the ED.                   |   |

 

The purposes of these standards are to:

 

| **•** | limit institutional dependence on Title IV Program funds; |
|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | prevent institutions with unacceptable student loan default rates from participating in Title IV Programs; and                                     |
|------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | in general, require institutions to satisfy certain criteria related to educational value, administrative capability and financial responsibility. |

 

Most of the ED’s requirements are applied on an institutional basis, with an institution defined by the ED as a main campus and its additional locations, if any. Twenty-nine of our 105 institutes are main campuses and the remaining 76 of our institutes are additional locations. Each of the nine learning sites of our institutes is also an additional location under the        ED’s regulations. The HEA requires each institution to periodically renew its certification by the ED to continue its participation in Title IV Programs. As of December 31, 2008, all 105 of our institutes and all nine learning sites of our institutes participated in Title IV Programs.

 

As of December 31, 2008, we operated one or more institutes in 37 states and our institutes recruited students in the remaining 13 states and the District of Columbia. Each of our institutes must be authorized by the applicable SAs to operate. The state laws and regulations that we must comply with in order to obtain authorization from the SAs are numerous        and complex. As of December 31, 2008, each of our institutes had received authorization from one or more SAs. In addition, some states require an institute to be in operation for a period of up to two years before that institute can be authorized to grant degrees. Institutes that confer bachelor or master degrees must, in most cases, meet additional regulatory standards. Raising the curricula of our existing institutes to the bachelor and/or master degree level requires the approval of        the applicable SAs and the ACICS. State education laws and regulations affect our operations and may limit our ability to introduce degree programs or to obtain authorization to operate in some states. If any one of our institutes lost its state authorization, the institute would be unable to offer postsecondary education and we would be forced to close the institute. Closing multiple institutes for any reason could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of        operations and cash flows.

 

State authorization and accreditation by an accrediting commission recognized by the ED are required for an institution to become and remain eligible to participate in Title IV Programs. In addition, some states require institutions operating in the state to be accredited as a condition of state authorization. All of our institutes are accredited by the        ACICS, which is an accrediting commission recognized by the ED. The HEA specifies a series of criteria that each recognized accrediting commission must use in reviewing institutions. For example, accrediting commissions must assess the length of each academic program offered by an institution in relation to the objectives of the degrees or diplomas offered. Further, accrediting commissions must evaluate each institution's success with respect to student achievement, as measured by rates        of program completion, passing of state licensing examinations and graduate employment. During 2008, the ACICS evaluated 41 of our institutes for initial grants of accreditation or the renewal of their current grants of accreditation. As of December 31, 2008, of those 41 institutes, the ACICS had granted initial accreditation to eight institutes and reaccredited 33 institutes. None of our institutes are on probation with the ACICS, but two institutes are subject to an outcomes review        with respect to student retention by the ACICS. Under the ACICS standards, an institute that is subject to a financial or outcomes review must periodically report its results in those areas to the ACICS and obtain permission from the ACICS prior to applying to add a new program of study or establish a branch campus or learning site. We do not believe that these limitations will have a material adverse effect on our expansion plans. 

 

The statutes, regulations and standards applied by the ED, the SAs and the ACICS cover the vast majority of our operations, including our:

 

 

- 8 -

 

 

| •     | educational programs;                         |   |
|------------|-----------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | facilities;                                   |   |
| **•** | instructional and administrative staff;       |   |
| **•** | administrative procedures;                    |   |
| **•** | marketing;                                    |   |
| **•** | student recruitment; and                      |   |
| **•** | financial operations and financial condition. |

 

These requirements also affect our ability to:

 

| **•** | add new institutes and learning sites;                     |   |
|------------|------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | add new, or expand our existing, educational programs; and |
| **•** | change our corporate structure and ownership.              |   |

 

Each of the institutes and learning sites that we added from 2006 through 2008 constitutes an additional location under the ED’s regulations. The HEA requires a for-profit institution to operate for two years before it can qualify to participate in Title IV Programs. If an institution that is certified to participate in Title IV Programs        establishes an additional location and receives all of the necessary SA and accrediting commission approvals for that location, that additional location can participate in Title IV Programs immediately upon being reported to the ED, unless the institution will offer at least 50% of an entire educational program at that location and any one of the following restrictions applies, in which case the ED must approve the additional location before it can participate in Title IV        Programs:

 

| **•** | the institution is provisionally certified to participate in Title IV Programs; |
|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | the institution receives Title IV Program funds under the ED’s reimbursement or cash monitoring payment method;                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | the institution acquired the assets of another institution that provided educational programs at that location during the preceding year and participated in Title IV Programs during that year;                                                                                                                                           |
| **•** | the institution would be subject to loss of eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs, because the additional location lost its eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs as a result of high student loan cohort default rates under the FFEL and/or the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (“FDL”) programs; or |
| **•** | the ED previously notified the institution that it must apply for approval to establish an additional location.                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |

 

The HEA and applicable regulations permit students to use Title IV Program funds only to pay the cost associated with enrollment in an eligible program offered by an institution participating in Title IV Programs. Generally, an institution that is eligible to participate in Title IV Programs may add a new educational program without the        ED’s approval, if that new program: (a) leads to an associate level or higher degree and the institution already offers programs at that level; or (b) prepares students for gainful employment in the same or a related occupation as an educational program that has previously been designated as an eligible program at the institution and meets minimum length requirements. Otherwise, the institution must obtain the ED’s approval before it may disburse Title IV Program funds to        students enrolled in the new program. If an institution erroneously determines that a new educational program is eligible for Title IV Program funding, the institution would likely be liable for repayment of the Title IV Program funds provided to students in that educational program. Based on our current understanding of how the ED regulations will be applied, we do not believe that these limitations will have a material adverse effect on our expansion        plans.

 

The ACICS accreditation standards generally permit an institution’s main campus to establish branch campuses, and both the institution’s main campus and branch campuses to establish learning sites. Our institutes that are treated as branch campuses under the ACICS accreditation standards are treated as additional locations of the        main campus under the ED’s regulations. Any locations of one of our main or branch campuses that are located away from the main or branch campus are treated as learning sites of that main or branch campus under the ACICS accreditation standards, but the ED’s regulations treat each learning site as an additional location of the main campus.

 

The laws and regulations in most of the states in which our institutes are located treat each of our institutes as a separate, unaffiliated institution and do not distinguish between main campuses and additional locations or branch campuses, although many states recognize other institute locations within the state where educational activities        are conducted and/or student services are provided as learning sites, teaching sites, satellite campuses or otherwise. In some states, the requirements to obtain state authorization limit our ability to establish new institutes, add learning sites and offer new programs.

 

The HEA and its implementing regulations require each institution to periodically reapply to the ED for continued certification to participate in Title IV Programs. The ED recertifies each institution deemed to be in compliance with the HEA and the ED’s regulations for a period of six years or less. Before that period ends, the        

 

- 9 -

 

 

institution must apply again for recertification. The current ED certifications of our institutes range from four years to six years and expire over the period from March 31, 2009 to September 30, 2013.

 

The ED may place an institution on provisional certification for a period of three years or less, if it finds that the institution does not fully satisfy all the eligibility and certification standards. If an institution successfully participates in Title IV Programs during its period of provisional certification but fails to satisfy the full        certification criteria, the ED may renew the institution’s provisional certification. The ED may revoke an institution’s provisional certification without advance notice, if the ED determines that the institution is not fulfilling all material requirements. If the ED revokes an institution’s provisional certification, the institution may not apply for reinstatement of its eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs for at least 18 months. If the ED does not        recertify the institution following the expiration of its provisional certification, the institution loses eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs until the institution reapplies to participate and the ED certifies the institution to participate. The ED may also more closely review an institution that is provisionally certified, if it applies for approval to operate a new location or offer a new program of study that requires approval, or makes some other significant change        affecting its eligibility. Provisional certification does not otherwise limit an institution’s access to Title IV Program funds. None of our campus groups are provisionally certified to participate in Title IV Programs.

 

The internal audit function of our compliance department reviews our institutes' compliance with Title IV Program requirements and conducts an annual compliance review of each of our institutes. The review addresses numerous compliance areas, including:

 

| **•** | student tuition refunds and return of Title IV Program funds; |
|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | student academic progress;                                    |   |
| **•** | student admission;                                            |   |
| **•** | graduate employment;                                          |   |
| **•** | student attendance; and                                       |   |
| **•** | student financial aid applications.                           |   |

 

Each of our institutes’ administration of Title IV Program funds must also be audited annually by an independent accounting firm, and the resulting audit report must be submitted to the ED for review.

 

Due to the highly regulated nature of the postsecondary education industry, we are subject to audits, reviews, inquiries, complaints, investigations, claims of non-compliance or lawsuits by federal and state governmental agencies, the ACICS, present and former students and employees, shareholders and other third parties, which may allege        violations of statutes, regulations or accreditation standards or common law causes of action (collectively, “Claims”). If the results of any Claims are unfavorable to us, we may be required to pay money damages or be subject to fines, penalties, injunctions, operational limitations, loss of eligibility to participate in federal or state financial aid programs, debarments, additional oversight and reporting, other civil and criminal penalties or other censure that could have        a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Even if we satisfactorily resolve the issues raised by a Claim, we may have to expend significant financial and management resources, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Adverse publicity regarding a Claim could also negatively affect our business.

 

See "Risk Factors – Risks Related to Our Highly Regulated Industry" for a discussion of particular risks associated with our highly regulated industry.

 

**Shareholder Information**

 

We make the following materials available free of charge through our website at www.ittesi.com as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC under the Exchange Act:

 

| **•** | our annual reports on Form 10-K and all amendments thereto;     |   |
|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and all amendments thereto;  |   |
| **•** | our current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments thereto; and |
| **•** | various other filings that we make with the SEC.                |   |

 

We also make the following materials available free of charge through our website at www.ittesi.com:

 

| **•** | our Corporate Governance Guidelines; |
|------------|--------------------------------------|

| **•** | the charter for each of the Academic, Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees of our Board of Directors; and |
|------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (“Code”). |
|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|

 

 

- 10 -

 

 

 

We will provide a copy of the following materials without charge to anyone who makes a written request to our Investor Relations Department at ITT Educational Services, Inc., 13000 North Meridian Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032-1404 or by e-mail through our website at www.ittesi.com:

 

| **•** | our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, excluding certain of its exhibits; |
|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | our Corporate Governance Guidelines; |
|------------|--------------------------------------|

| **•** | the charter for each of the Academic, Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees of our Board of Directors; and |
|------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | the Code. |
|------------|-----------|

 

We also intend to promptly disclose on our website at www.ittesi.com any amendments that we make to, or waivers for our Directors or executive officers that we grant from, the Code.

 

**Officer Certifications**

 

Our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer each have made the certifications required to be filed with the SEC regarding the quality of our public disclosure. Those certifications are being filed with the SEC as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition, our Chief Executive Officer submitted the required annual        certification to the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) in 2008 that he was not aware of any violation by us of the NYSE’s corporate governance listing standards. 

 

| **Item 1A.** | **Risk Factors**. |
|--------------|-------------------|

 

*In addition to the other information contained in this report, you should consider carefully the following risk factors in evaluating us and our business before making an investment decision with respect to any shares of our common stock. This report contains certain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within        the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act (and Section 21E of the Exchange Act). These forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to, our management. All statements which are not statements of historical fact are intended to be forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this report reflect our or our management’s current views and are subject to certain risks,        uncertainties and assumptions, including, but not limited to, those set forth in the following Risk Factors. Should one or more of those risks or uncertainties materialize or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results, performance or achievements in 2009 and beyond could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, those forward-looking statements.*

 

**Risks Related to Our Highly Regulated Industry**

 

***Failure of our institutes to comply with the extensive regulatory requirements for school operations could result in financial penalties, restrictions on our operations, loss of federal and state financial aid funding for our students or loss of our authorization to operate our institutes**.*In 2008, we indirectly derived approximately 73% of our revenue determined on an accrual accounting basis (or approximately 72% determined on a cash accounting basis as defined by the ED regulations) from Title IV Programs. To participate in Title IV Programs, an institution must receive and maintain authorization by the appropriate SAs, be accredited by an accrediting commission recognized by the ED and be certified as an eligible institution by the ED. As a result, our        institutes are subject to extensive regulation by the ED, the SAs and the ACICS, which is an accrediting commission recognized by the ED. These regulatory requirements cover the vast majority of our operations, including our:

 

| **•** | educational programs;                                                |   |
|------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | facilities;                                                          |   |
| **•** | instructional and administrative staff;                              |   |
| **•** | administrative procedures;                                           |   |
| **•** | marketing;                                                           |   |
| **•** | student recruitment;                                                 |   |
| **•** | financial operations and financial condition;                        |   |
| **•** | addition of new institutes and learning sites;                       |   |
| **•** | addition of new, or expansion of existing, educational programs; and |
| **•** | changes in corporate structure and ownership.                        |   |

 

Most ED requirements are applied on an institutional basis, with an institution defined by the ED as a main campus and its additional locations, if any. Under the ED’s definition, we have 29 such institutions. We currently operate one or more institutes in 37 states and our institutes recruit students in the remaining 13 states and the District of Columbia.        The ED, the SAs and the ACICS periodically revise their requirements and modify their interpretations of existing requirements. We cannot predict with certainty how all of the requirements applied by these agencies will be interpreted or whether all of our institutes will be able to comply with all of the requirements in the future.

 

 

- 11 -

 

 

 

| If our institutes failed to comply with any of these regulatory requirements, these agencies could: |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

| **•** | impose monetary fines or penalties on our institutes;                            |   |
|------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | terminate or limit our institutes’ operations or ability to grant degrees; |
| **•** | restrict or revoke our institutes’ accreditation;                          |   |

| **•** | limit, terminate or suspend our institutes’ eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs or state financial aid programs; |
|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | require our institutes to repay funds received under Title IV Programs or state financial aid programs;                            |

| **•** | require us to post a letter of credit with the ED;              |   |
|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | subject our institutes to heightened cash monitoring by the ED; |

| **•** | transfer our institutes from the ED’s advance system of receiving Title IV Program funds to its reimbursement system, under which a school must disburse its own funds to students and document the students’ eligibility for Title IV Program funds before receiving such funds from the ED; and |
|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | subject us or our institutes to other civil or criminal penalties. |
|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

Each of these sanctions could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and impose significant operating restrictions on us. If any of our institutes lost its state authorization, the institute would be unable to offer postsecondary education and we would be forced to close the institute. If any of our institutes lost its        accreditation, it would lose its eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs. If we could not arrange for alternative financing sources for the students attending that institute, we could be forced to close the institute. Closing multiple institutes could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. See “Business – Highly Regulated        Industry.”

 

| The following are some of the specific risk factors related to our highly regulated industry: |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

***Action by the U.S. Congress to revise the laws governing the federal student financial aid programs or reduce funding for those programs could reduce our student population and increase our costs of operation**.*Political and budgetary concerns significantly affect Title IV Programs. The        U.S. Congress enacted the HEA to be reauthorized on a periodic basis, which most recently occurred in August 2008. The 2008 reauthorization of the HEA, called the Higher Education Opportunity Act (“HEOA”), made significant changes to the requirements governing the Title IV Programs, including changes that, among other things:

 

| **•** | regulated non-federal, private education loans;                                                  |   |
|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | regulated the relationship between institutions and lenders that make education loans;           |   |
| **•** | increased the annual maximum amount and availability of Pell grants;                             |   |
| **•** | increased the amount of financial aid available to active military personnel and family members; |

| **•** | revised the calculation of the student default rate on FFEL and FDL program loans attributed to an institution and the threshold rate at which sanctions will be imposed against an institution;     |
|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | adjusted the types of revenue that an institution is deemed to have derived from Title IV Programs and the sanctions imposed on an institution that derives too much revenue from Title IV Programs; |
| **•** | increased the type and amount of information that an institution must disclose to current and prospective students and the public; and                                                               |

| **•** | increased the types of policies and practices that an institution must adopt and follow. |
|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

Some of the changes to the requirements governing the Title IV Programs have and will increase our administrative burden, but we do not believe that the increased burden will have a material adverse effect on our operations. Many of the provisions of HEOA were effective upon enactment, even though the ED has not yet promulgated regulations related to such        provisions. If our efforts to comply with the provisions of HEOA are inconsistent with how the ED interprets those provisions in final regulations or otherwise, we may be found to be in noncompliance with such provisions and the ED could impose monetary penalties, place limitations on our operations, and/or condition or terminate our eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs.

 

In addition, the U.S. Congress can change the laws affecting Title IV Programs in the annual federal appropriations bills and other laws it enacts between the HEA reauthorizations. In May 2008, the U.S. Congress enacted the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008 (“Continued Access Act”) which, among other        things:

 

| **•** | increased the annual and total amount of certain Title IV Program loans that students can receive; |
|------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | expanded student eligibility for, and potentially increased the amount of funds available to fund grants under, certain Title IV Programs; |
|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | expanded parent eligibility and created payment deferment options for parent loans under the Title IV Programs; and                        |

 

 

- 12 -

 

 

 

| **•** | authorized the ED to purchase certain Title IV Program loans from lenders until July 1, 2009 (which period was extended until July 1, 2010 by the U.S. Congress in September 2008). |
|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

In February 2009, the U.S. Congress enacted the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“American Recovery Act”) which, among other things:

 

| **•** | further increased the annual amount of funds available to fund grants under the Pell program; |
|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | increased the amount of funds available to provide part-time employment to students under the Work-Study program; and        |
|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | increased the amount of, and expanded the eligibility for, federal income tax credits for higher education-related expenses. |

 

We believe that most of the changes to the Title IV Programs in the Continued Access Act and the American Recovery Act have and will continue to positively impact our students’ ability to fund their educational expenses.

 

Although the Continued Access Act was intended to encourage third-party lenders to continue to provide, or to begin to again provide, FFEL program loans, we cannot assure you that it will have its intended effect or that our students will be able to continue to obtain FFEL program loans from third-party lenders. All of our institutes are        prepared to participate in the FDL program in the event our students are unable to obtain FFEL program loans from third-party lenders. As a result, we do not believe that our students’ loss of access to FFEL program loans from third-party lenders would have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, financial condition or operations.

 

Numerous changes to the HEA may result from other laws that may be passed, but at this time we cannot predict all of the changes that the U.S. Congress will ultimately make. Since a significant percentage of our revenue is indirectly derived from Title IV Programs, any action by the U.S. Congress that significantly reduces Title IV Program        funding or the ability of our institutes or students to participate in Title IV Programs could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. 

 

If one or more of our institutes lost its eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs, or if the U.S. Congress significantly reduced the amount of available Title IV Program funding, we would try to arrange or provide alternative sources of financial aid for the students at the affected institutes. We cannot assure you that one or more        private organizations would be willing to provide loans to students attending those institutes or that the interest rate and other terms of those loans would be as favorable as for Title IV Program loans. In addition, the private organizations could require us to guarantee all or part of this assistance on terms that are less favorable to us than our current guarantee obligation, and we might incur other additional costs. If we provided more direct financial assistance to our students,        we would incur additional costs and assume increased credit risks. 

 

Legislative action may also increase our administrative costs and burden and require us to modify our practices in order for our institutes to comply fully with the legislative requirements, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

***One or more of our institutes may lose its eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs, if its student loan default rates are too high**.*Under the HEA, an institution may lose its eligibility to participate in some or all Title IV Programs, if the rates at which the        institution’s students default on their federal student loans exceed specified percentages. The ED calculates these rates for each institution on an annual basis, based on the number of students who have defaulted, not the dollar amount of such defaults. Currently, the ED calculates an institution’s annual cohort default rate as the rate at which borrowers scheduled to begin repayment on their loans in one federal fiscal year default on those loans by the end of the next        federal fiscal year. The HEOA made significant changes to the calculation of student loan default rates and the threshold for an institution to lose its Title IV eligibility. Beginning with the calculation of institutions’ cohort default rates for the 2009 federal fiscal year, which are expected to be calculated and issued by the ED in 2012, the period for which students’ defaults will be included in an institution’s cohort default rate will be extended by one year, so        that the formula will be the rate at which borrowers scheduled to begin repayment on their loans in one federal fiscal year default on those loans by the end of the second succeeding federal fiscal year. We believe that institutions’ FFEL/FDL cohort default rates will increase as a result of the change in the formula, but we are unable to estimate with any degree of certainty the extent of any resulting increase in FFEL/FDL cohort default rates or whether any such increase will        affect any of our campus groups’ participation in the Title IV Programs.

 

Each institution participating in the FFEL and/or the FDL programs receives a FFEL/FDL cohort default rate for each federal fiscal year based on defaulted FFEL and FDL program loans. A federal fiscal year is October 1 through September 30. Currently, an institution whose FFEL/FDL cohort default rate is:

 

| **•** | 25% or greater for three consecutive federal fiscal years loses eligibility to participate in the FFEL, FDL and Pell programs for the remainder of the federal fiscal year in which the ED determines that the institution has lost its eligibility and for the two subsequent federal fiscal years; or |
|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

 

- 13 -

 

 

 

| **•** | greater than 40% for one federal fiscal year loses eligibility to participate in the FFEL and FDL programs for the remainder of the federal fiscal year in which the ED determines that the institution has lost its eligibility and for the two subsequent federal fiscal years. |
|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

Beginning with cohort default rates for federal fiscal year 2009, the cohort default rate for three consecutive federal fiscal years that triggers loss of eligibility to participate in FFEL, FDL and Pell programs increases from 25% to 30%. An institution can appeal its loss of eligibility due to high FFEL/FDL cohort default rates. During the pendency of any such        appeal, the institution remains eligible to participate in the FFEL, FDL and Pell programs. If an institution continues its participation in the FFEL and/or FDL programs during the pendency of any such appeal and the appeal is unsuccessful, the institution must pay the ED the amount of interest, special allowance, reinsurance and any related payments paid by the ED (or which the ED is obligated to pay) with respect to the FFEL and FDL program loans made to the institution’s        students or their parents that would not have been made if the institution had not continued its participation (the “Direct Costs”). If a substantial number of our campus groups were subject to losing their eligibility to participate in the FFEL, FDL and Pell programs because of their FFEL/FDL cohort default rates, the potential amount of the Direct Costs for which we would be liable if our appeals were unsuccessful would prevent us from continuing some or all of the        affected campus groups’ participation in the FFEL and/or FDL programs during the pendency of those appeals, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. 

 

The following table sets forth the range of our campus groups’ FFEL/FDL cohort default rates for the federal fiscal years indicated:

 

 

| **Federal Fiscal Year**                                                                                              | **FFEL/FDL Cohort****Default Rate Range** |   |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|--------|
| 2007 (a)                                                                                                             | 9.7% to 15.3%                             |   |
| 2006 (b)                                                                                                             | 5.5% to 12.9%                             |   |
| 2005                                                                                                                 | 5.9% to 12.6%                             |   |
| 2004                                                                                                                 | 5.8% to 12.7%                             |   |
|                                                                                                                 |                                      |   |
| (a)    The most recent year for which the ED has published FFEL/FDL preliminary cohort default rates. |
| (b)    The most recent year for which the ED has published FFEL/FDL official cohort default rates.    |

 

 

If an institution’s FFEL/FDL cohort default rate is 25% or greater in any of the three most recent federal fiscal years, the ED may place that institution on provisional certification status. The ED may more closely review an institution that is provisionally certified, if it applies for approval to open a new location or offer a new        program of study that requires approval, or makes some other significant change affecting its eligibility. Provisional certification does not otherwise limit an institution’s participation in Title IV Programs. None of our campus groups are provisionally certified to participate in Title IV Programs.

 

Current and future economic conditions in the United States could also adversely affect our cohort default rates. Increases in interest rates, declines in individuals’ incomes, and job losses for our students and graduates or their parents could contribute to higher default rates on student loans.

 

The servicing and collection efforts of student loan lenders and guaranty agencies help to control our FFEL/FDL cohort default rates. We are not affiliated with any student loan lenders or guaranty agencies. We supplement their efforts by attempting to contact students to advise them of their responsibilities and any deferment or forbearance        for which they may qualify.

 

If any of our campus groups lost its eligibility to participate in FFEL, FDL and Pell programs and we could not arrange for alternative financing sources for the students attending the institutes in that campus group, we would probably have to close those institutes, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition,        results of operations and cash flows.

 

***We may be required to post a letter of credit or accept other limitations in order to continue our institutes’ participation in Title IV Programs, state authorization and accreditation, if we or our institutes do not meet the financial standards of the ED, the SAs or the ACICS**.*The ED, the SAs and the ACICS prescribe specific financial standards that an institution must satisfy to participate in Title IV Programs, operate in a state and be accredited. The ED evaluates institutions for compliance with its standards each year, based on the institution’s annual audited financial statements, as well as following any change of control of the institution and when the institution is reviewed for recertification by the ED. The most significant        financial responsibility measurement is the institution’s composite score, which is calculated by the ED based on three ratios: 

 

 

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| **•** | the equity ratio, which measures the institution’s capital resources, ability to borrow and financial viability;                 |
|------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | the primary reserve ratio, which measures the institution’s ability to support current operations from expendable resources; and |

| **•** | the net income ratio, which measures the institution’s ability to operate at a profit. |
|------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

The ED assigns a strength factor to the results of each of these ratios on a scale from negative 1.0 to positive 3.0, with negative 1.0 reflecting financial weakness and positive 3.0 reflecting financial strength. The ED then assigns a weighting percentage to each ratio and adds the weighted scores for the three ratios together to produce a composite score for the        institution. The composite score must be at least 1.5 for the institution to be deemed financially responsible by the ED without the need for further oversight. Our campus groups’ composite score, based on our fiscal year consolidated financial statements at the parent company level, was 2.5 in 2008 and 1.9 in 2007. Our composite score in 2008 was higher than in 2007 primarily due to a higher equity ratio. In 2008, we repurchased approximately 1.0 million shares of our common        stock for approximately $87.8 million compared to approximately 2.7 million shares of our common stock for approximately $265.0 million in 2007. Share repurchases have the accounting effect of reducing our shareholders’ equity, which results in a lower equity ratio. Therefore, the lower amount of share repurchases in 2008 contributed to the higher equity ratio in that year compared to 2007.

 

In evaluating an institution’s compliance with the financial responsibility standards, the ED may examine the financial statements of the individual institution, the institution’s parent company, or any party related to the institution. Historically, the ED has evaluated the financial condition of our institutions on a consolidated        basis based on our financial statements at the parent company level. If the ED determines that an institution does not satisfy the ED's financial responsibility standards, the institution may establish its financial responsibility on one of several alternative bases, including posting a letter of credit in an amount equal to a specified percentage of the total Title IV Program funds received by the institution during the institution's most recently completed fiscal year and, in some        cases, agreeing to receive Title IV Program funds under an arrangement other than the ED's standard advance funding arrangement while being provisionally certified. The requirement to post a letter of credit or other sanctions by the ED could increase our cost of regulatory compliance and adversely affect our results of operations or cash flows.

 

***One or more of our institutes may have to post a letter of credit or be subject to other sanctions if it does not correctly calculate and return within the required time frame Title IV Program funds for, or refund monies paid by or on behalf of, students who withdraw before completing their program of        study**.*The HEA and its implementing regulations impose limits on the amount of Title IV Program funds withdrawing students can use to pay their education costs (the “Return Policy”). The Return Policy permits a student to use only a pro rata portion of the Title IV Program funds that the student would otherwise be eligible to use, if the student withdraws during the first 60% of any period of enrollment. For our institutes,        a period of enrollment is generally an academic quarter. The institution must calculate and return to the appropriate lenders or the ED any Title IV Program funds that the institution receives on behalf of a withdrawing student in excess of the amount the student can use for such period of enrollment. The institution must return those unearned funds in a timely manner which is generally within 45 days of the date the institution determined that the student had withdrawn. If the unearned        funds are not properly calculated and timely returned, we may have to post a letter of credit in favor of the ED or be otherwise sanctioned by the ED. An institution is required to post a letter of credit with the ED in an amount equal to 25% of the total dollar amount of unearned Title IV Program funds that the institution was required to return with respect to withdrawn students during its most recently completed fiscal year, if the institution is found in an audit or program review        to have untimely returned unearned Title IV Program funds with respect to 5% or more of the students in the audit or program review sample of withdrawn students, in either of its two most recently completed fiscal years. No audit or review has found that any of our institutes was violating the ED’s standard on the timely return of unearned Title IV Program funds. The requirement to post a letter of credit or other sanctions by the ED could increase our cost of regulatory        compliance and adversely affect our results of operations.

 

The standards of most of the SAs and the ACICS limit a student’s obligation to an institution for tuition and fees, if a student withdraws from the institution (the “Refund Policies”). The specific standards vary among the SAs. Depending on when during an academic quarter a student withdraws and the applicable Refund        Policies, in many instances the student remains obligated to the ITT Technical Institute for some or all of the student’s education costs that were paid by the Title IV Program funds returned under the Return Policy. In these instances, many withdrawing students are unable to pay all of their education costs, unless the students have access to other sources of financial aid. We have arranged for unaffiliated private funding sources to offer eligible students loans that can help        replace any Title IV Program funds that are returned if any of those students withdraw. We cannot assure you that all of our affected students would be able to qualify for these types of loans. If these types of loans were unavailable, we could be unable to collect a significant portion of many withdrawing students’ education costs that would have been paid by the Title IV Program funds that were returned, which, in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on our        results of operations and cash flows.

 

 

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***One or more of our institutes may lose its eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs, if the percentage of its revenue derived from those programs is too high**.*Under a provision of the HEA commonly referred to as the “90/10” Rule, a for-profit institution may be        sanctioned if, on a cash accounting basis, the institution derives more than 90% of its applicable revenue in a fiscal year from Title IV Programs. Due to legislative changes made by the HEOA, effective in 2008, if an institution exceeds the 90% threshold for any single fiscal year, the ED would place that institution on provisional certification status for the institution’s following two fiscal years, unless the institution’s participation in Title IV Programs ends sooner.        In addition, if an institution exceeds the 90% threshold for two consecutive fiscal years, it would be ineligible to participate in Title IV Programs as of the first day of the following fiscal year and would be unable to apply to regain its eligibility until the end of the second subsequent fiscal year. Furthermore, if one of our institutions exceeded the 90% threshold for two consecutive fiscal years and became ineligible to participate in Title IV Programs but continued to disburse        Title IV Program funds, the ED would require the institution to repay, with limited exceptions, all Title IV Program funds disbursed by the institution after the effective date of the loss of eligibility.

 

For our 2008 fiscal year, none of our campus groups derived more than 75% of its applicable revenue on a cash accounting basis from Title IV Programs, with a range from approximately 62% to approximately 75%. Recent changes in federal law that increased Title IV Program grant and loan limits (and any additional increases in the future) may        result in an increase in the percentage of revenue that we indirectly derive from Title IV Programs, which could make it more difficult for us to satisfy the 90/10 Rule. In addition, economic downturns that adversely affect our students’ employment circumstances could also increase their reliance on Title IV Program funds. Any such effects, however, may be mitigated by other provisions of the HEOA that allow institutions, when calculating their compliance with this revenue test,        to exclude from their revenue derived from Title IV Programs for a three-year period the additional federal student loan amounts that became available starting in July 2008, and to include more revenue derived from non-Title IV Programs, such as revenue from institutional loans under certain circumstances.

 

We regularly monitor compliance with the 90/10 Rule to minimize the risk that any of our campus groups would derive more than the maximum allowable percentage of its applicable revenue from Title IV Programs for any fiscal year. If a campus group appeared likely to approach the maximum percentage threshold, we would consider making changes in        student financing to comply with the 90/10 Rule, but we cannot assure you that we would be able to do this in a timely manner or at all. If any of our campus groups lost its eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs and we could not arrange for alternative financing sources for the students attending the institutes in that campus group, we would probably have to close those institutes, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and        cash flows.

 

***Failure by one or more of our institutes to satisfy the ED’s administrative capability requirements could result in financial penalties, limitations on the institute’s participation in Title IV Programs, or loss of the institute’s eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs***. To        participate in Title IV Programs, an institution must satisfy criteria of administrative capability prescribed by the ED. These criteria include requirements that the institution:

 

| **•** | demonstrate a reasonable relationship between the length of its programs and the entry-level job requirements of the relevant fields of employment; |
|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | comply with all of the applicable Title IV Program regulations prescribed by the ED; |
|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | have capable and sufficient personnel to administer the institution’s participation in Title IV Programs; |
|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | define and measure the satisfactory academic progress of its students within parameters specified by the ED;    |

| **•** | provide adequate financial aid counseling to its students who receive Title IV Program funds; and |
|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | timely submit all required reports and financial statements to the ED.                            |   |

 

If the ED determines that an institution is not capable of adequately administering its participation in any of the Title IV Programs, the ED could:

 

| **•** | impose monetary fines or penalties on the institution;                   |   |
|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | require the institution to repay funds received under Title IV Programs; |

| **•** | transfer the institution from the advance method of payment of Title IV Program funds to heightened cash monitoring status or the reimbursement system of payment; or |
|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | limit or terminate the institution’s eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs. |
|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

Each of these sanctions could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and impose significant operating restrictions on us. In addition, an institution is deemed by the ED to lack administrative capability if its FFEL/FDL cohort default rate equals or exceeds 25% for any of the three most recent federal fiscal years for which        such rates have been published. If an institution’s administrative capability is impaired solely because its FFEL/FDL cohort default rates equal or exceed 25%, the institution can continue to participate in Title IV Programs, but the ED may place the institution on provisional certification.

 

 

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***We are subject to sanctions if we pay impermissible commissions, bonuses or other incentive payments to individuals involved in certain recruiting, admission or financial aid activities**.*An institution participating in Title IV Programs may not provide any commission, bonus or other        incentive payment based directly or indirectly on success in securing enrollments or financial aid to any person or entity engaged in any student recruitment or admission activity or in making decisions regarding the awarding of Title IV Program funds. The ED’s regulations set forth 12 types of activities and payment arrangements that an institution may carry out without violating this HEA provision (the “Safe Harbors”). One of the Safe Harbors permits the payment of        fixed compensation, such as a fixed annual salary or hourly wage, so long as the fixed compensation is not adjusted up or down more than twice during any 12-month period, and any adjustment to the fixed compensation is not based solely on the number of students recruited, admitted, enrolled or awarded financial aid. We believe that we have compensated the applicable employees in accordance with this Safe Harbor and other Safe Harbors, but the law and regulations governing this        requirement do not establish clear criteria for compliance in all circumstances, and the ED has stated that it will no longer entertain a request by an institution for the ED to review and assess its individual compensation plan. If the ED determined that an institution’s compensation practices violated these standards, the ED could subject the institution to monetary fines or penalties or other sanctions. Any substantial fine or penalty or other sanction could have a material        adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

***We cannot operate new institutes, add learning sites or offer new programs if they are not timely approved by our regulators, and we may have to repay Title IV Program funds disbursed to students enrolled at any of those locations or in any of those programs if we do not obtain prior approval***. Our expansion        plans assume that we will be able to continue to obtain the necessary ED, ACICS and SA approvals to establish new institutes, add learning sites to our existing institutes and expand the program offerings at our existing institutes in a timely manner. If we are unable to obtain the approvals from the ED, the ACICS or the relevant SAs for any new institutes, learning sites or program offerings where such approvals are required, or to obtain such approvals in a timely manner, our ability        to operate the new institutes, add the learning sites or offer the new programs as planned would be impaired, which could have a material adverse effect on our expansion plans.

 

The process of obtaining any required state and ACICS authorizations can also delay our operating new institutes, adding learning sites or offering new programs. In certain circumstances, the state laws and regulations in effect in the states where we are located or anticipate establishing a new location or the ACICS standards may limit our        ability to establish new institutes and learning sites and expand the programs offered at an institute, which could have a material adverse effect on our expansion plans. 

 

In addition, an institution that is eligible to participate in Title IV Programs may add a new location or program without the ED's approval only if certain requirements are met. Otherwise, the institution must obtain the ED's approval before it may disburse Title IV Program funds to students in the new location or program. If we were to        erroneously determine that a new location or program is eligible for Title IV Program funding, we would likely be liable for repayment of the Title IV Program funds provided to students in that location or program. See "Business – Highly Regulated Industry."

 

***If we were involved in conflicts of interest with student loan lenders, we could be subject to penalties and otherwise suffer adverse impacts on our business.***  Starting in 2007, the New York Attorney General, several other states’ attorneys general, the U.S. Congress and the ED have all investigated        potential conflicts of interest between educational institutions and various lending organizations that provide student loans. Some of those investigations are ongoing, but several educational institutions and lending organizations have been implicated. Certain lenders and educational institutions that have been implicated have agreed to pay several million dollars in the aggregate to settle conflict of interest claims. While no allegations have been raised concerning our institutes, we        have received requests for information and documentation from several states’ attorneys general and SAs. We have no reason to believe that any of our employees have engaged in improper conduct in this regard. If any such impropriety were found, we could be subject to financial penalties and other adverse consequences. 

 

***If regulators do not timely approve a change in control of us or any of our institutes, the ability of the affected institutes to participate in Title IV Programs or operate may be impaired**.*The ED, the ACICS and most of the SAs have requirements pertaining to the change in ownership        and/or control (collectively "change in control") of institutions, but these requirements do not uniformly define what constitutes a change in control and are subject to varying interpretations as to whether a particular transaction constitutes a change in control. If we or any of our institutes experience a change in control under the standards of the ED, the ACICS or any of the SAs, we or the affected institutes must seek the approval of the relevant regulatory agencies. Transactions        or events that constitute a change in control for one or more of our regulatory agencies include:

 

| **•** | the acquisition of a school from another entity;                  |   |
|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | significant acquisitions or dispositions of our common stock; and |

 

 

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| **•** | significant changes to the composition of our Board of Directors. |
|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

Some of these transactions or events may be beyond our control. Our failure to obtain, or a delay in obtaining, a required approval of any change in control from the ED, the ACICS or any of the SAs in states in which our institutes are located could impair our ability or the ability of the affected institutes to participate in Title IV Programs. Our failure to        obtain, or a delay in obtaining, a required approval of any change in control from the SA in any state in which we do not have an institute but in which we recruit students could require us to suspend our recruitment of students in that state until we receive the required approval. A material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows would result if we had a change in control and a material number of our institutes:

 

| **•** | failed to timely obtain the approvals of the SAs required prior to or following a change in control; |
|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | failed to timely regain accreditation by the ACICS or have their accreditation temporarily continued or reinstated by the ACICS;                                                                                           |
|------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | failed to timely regain eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs from the ED or receive temporary certification to continue to participate in Title IV Programs pending further review by the ED; or                |
| **•** | were subjected by the ED to restrictions that severely limited for a substantial period of time the number of new additional locations and/or new programs of study that are eligible to participate in Title IV Programs. |

 

In addition, the fact that a change in control would require approval of the relevant regulatory agencies could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or discouraging a third party from attempting to acquire, control of us.

 

***Government and regulatory agencies and third parties may bring claims or actions against us based on alleged violations of the extensive regulatory requirements applicable to our institutes, which could require us to pay monetary damages, receive other sanctions and expend significant resources to defend those claims or        actions**.*Due to the highly regulated nature of the postsecondary education industry, we are subject to claims of non-compliance with regulatory standards and other actions brought by our regulatory agencies, students, shareholders and other parties. If the results of any of those claims are unfavorable to us, we may be required to pay money damages or be subject to fines, penalties, injunctions, operational limitations, loss of        eligibility to participate in federal or state financial aid programs, debarments, additional oversight and reporting, or other civil and criminal sanctions. Those sanctions could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Even if we satisfactorily resolve the issues raised by those types of claims, we may have to divert significant financial and management resources from our ongoing business operations to address and defend those        claims, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Adverse publicity regarding any of those claims could also negatively affect our business and the market price of our common stock. See “Business – Highly Regulated Industry.”

 

***Investigations, claims and actions against companies in our industry could adversely affect our business and stock price**.*The operations of a number of companies in the postsecondary education industry have been subject to intense regulatory scrutiny. In some cases, allegations of        wrongdoing have resulted in reviews or investigations by the U. S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”), the SEC, the ED, the SAs or other state agencies. These allegations, reviews and investigations and the accompanying adverse publicity could have a negative impact on our industry as a whole and on the market price of our common stock. 

 

***Budget constraints in states that provide state financial aid to our students could reduce the amount of such financial aid that is available to our students, which could reduce our student population***. Some states may provide financial aid to our students, such as California, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and        New York. From time to time, states face budget constraints that may cause them to reduce state appropriations in a number of areas. Some of those states may decide to reduce the amount of state financial aid that they provide to students, but we cannot predict how significant any of those reductions may be or how long they could last. If the level of state funding for our students decreased and our students were not able to secure alternative sources of funding, our student population        could decrease, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

***If the graduates of some of our programs are unable to obtain licensure in their chosen professional fields of study, the enrollment in and the revenue derived from those programs could decrease and claims could be made against us that could be costly to defend.***Future graduates of certain of our programs of        study will seek professional licensure in their chosen field following graduation. Their success in obtaining licensure depends on several factors, including:

 

| **•** | the merits of the individual student; and |
|------------|-------------------------------------------|

| **•** | whether the institute and the program were authorized by the appropriate SAs and/or approved by an accrediting commission and/or professional association. |
|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

 

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Certain SAs have refused to license students who graduate from programs that do not meet specific types of accreditation, residency or other state requirements. In the event that one or more SAs refuses to recognize our graduates for professional licensure in the future based on factors relating to our institutes or their programs, student enrollment in those        programs would be negatively impacted which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. In addition, we could be exposed to claims that would force us to incur legal and other expenses that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

**Risks Related to Our Business**

 

***If we fail to effectively identify, establish and operate new institutes and learning sites, our growth may be slowed**.*As part of our business strategy, we anticipate operating new institutes and adding learning sites to existing institutes at locations throughout the United States.        Establishing new institutes and learning sites poses challenges and requires us to make investments in management and capital expenditures, incur marketing and advertising expenses and devote other resources that are different, and in some cases greater, than those required with respect to the operation of existing institutes. To operate a new institute or add a learning site, we would be required to obtain the appropriate approvals from the SAs and the ACICS, which may be conditioned        or delayed in a manner that could significantly affect our growth plans. In addition, to be eligible to participate in Title IV Programs, a new institute or learning site may have to be certified by the ED. We cannot be sure that we will be able to identify suitable expansion opportunities to help maintain or accelerate our current growth rate or that we will be able to successfully integrate or profitably operate any new institutes or learning sites. Any failure by us to effectively        identify, establish and manage the operations of newly established institutes or learning sites could slow our growth, make any newly established institutes or learning sites more costly to operate than we had planned and have a material adverse effect on our expansion plans and results of operations. See “Business – Business Strategy– *Geographically Expand Our Institutes and Learning        Sites.*”

 

***Our success depends, in part, on our ability to effectively identify, develop, obtain approval to offer and teach new programs at different levels in a cost-effective and timely manner**.*Part of our business strategy also includes increasing the number and level of programs offered at        our institutes. Developing and offering new programs pose challenges and require us to make investments in research and development, management and capital expenditures, to incur marketing and advertising expenses and to devote other resources that are in addition to, and in some cases greater than, those associated with our current program offerings. In order to offer new programs at different levels at our institutes, we may be required to obtain the appropriate approvals from the ED,        the SAs, the ACICS and, in certain circumstances, specialized programmatic accrediting agencies, which may be conditioned or delayed in a manner that could significantly affect our growth plans. We cannot be sure that we will be able to identify new programs to help maintain or accelerate our current growth rate, that we will be able to obtain the requisite approvals to offer new programs at different levels at our institutes or that students will enroll in any new programs that we        offer at our institutes. Any failure by us to effectively identify, develop, obtain approval to offer and teach new programs at our institutes could have a material adverse effect on our expansion plans and results of operations. See “Business – Business Strategy– *Enhance Results at the Institute Level*.”

 

***Our success depends, in part, on our ability to keep pace with changing market needs and technology***. Increasingly, prospective employers of our graduates demand that their entry-level employees possess appropriate technical skills and also appropriate soft skills, such as communication, critical thinking and        teamwork skills. The skills that employees need may evolve rapidly in a changing economic and technological environment. Accordingly, it is important for our programs to evolve in response to those economic and technological changes. The expansion of our existing programs and the development of new programs may not be accepted by prospective students or the employers of our graduates. Even if we are able to develop acceptable new programs, we may not be able to begin offering those new        programs as quickly as required by the employers we serve or as quickly as our competitors offer similar programs. If we are unable to adequately respond to changes in market requirements due to regulatory or financial constraints, technological changes or other factors, our ability to attract and retain students could be impaired and the rates at which our graduates obtain jobs involving their fields of study could suffer.

 

***Our financial performance depends, in part, on our ability to continue to develop awareness and acceptance of our programs among working adults and recent high school graduates**.*The awareness of our programs among working adults and recent high school graduates is important to the        success of our institutes. If we were unable to successfully market or advertise our programs, our ability to attract and enroll prospective students in our programs would be adversely affected and, consequently, our ability to increase revenue or maintain profitability would be impaired. The following are some of the factors that could prevent us from successfully marketing or advertising our programs:

 

| **•** | student dissatisfaction with our programs and services;  |   |
|------------|----------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | employer dissatisfaction with our programs and services; |

 

 

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| **•** | high costs of certain types of advertising media;                                   |   |
|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | adverse publicity regarding us, our competitors or proprietary education generally; |

| **•** | our failure to maintain or expand our brand or other factors related to our marketing or advertising practices; and |
|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | diminished access to students during their attendance in high schools. |
|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

***If the lenders who provide private education loans to our students were to end or reduce their programs and we were unable to timely identify alternative lenders for our students, our students’ ability to finance their education could be adversely affected, our receivables could increase and our student population could        decrease.***In 2008, we indirectly derived approximately 8% of our revenue from unaffiliated, private education loan programs that were made available to eligible students at our institutes to help fund a portion of the students’ cost of education. The vast majority of these private education loan programs were offered by three lenders. Recent adverse market conditions for consumer loans and student loans, including lenders’ increasing        difficulties in reselling or syndicating student loan portfolios, have resulted and could continue to result in providers of private education loans reducing the availability of, or increasing the costs associated with, providing those loans to students. In particular, private education loans to students with low credit scores who would not otherwise be eligible for credit-based private education loans have become increasingly difficult to obtain. Prospective and current students may        find that these increased financing costs make borrowing too expensive and cause them to abandon or delay their education. If any of these scenarios were to occur, our students’ ability to finance their education could be adversely affected and our student population could decrease, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows.

 

We continue to seek arrangements with other unaffiliated lenders for them to provide private loans to our qualified students. The loan underwriting standards can vary significantly among lenders, which adversely affect the ability of some of our students to obtain private education loans. In addition, many lenders are not contractually bound        to continue offering private education loans to our students and could terminate their private education loan programs at any time. If those lenders ended their private education loan programs or reduced the volume of loans made under the programs and we were unable to timely identify other lenders to make private education loans to our students and their parents on similar terms, our students’ ability to finance their education could be adversely affected, our receivables could        increase and our student population could decrease, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

***If we experience losses in excess of the amounts that we have reserved with respect to the significant amount of internal student financing that we have provided to our students, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.***We offer a variety of payment plans        to help students pay the portion of their cost of education that is not covered by financial aid or other funds. These balances are unsecured and not typically guaranteed. These balances have increased as a result of the number of our students who do not qualify for private education loans from third parties due to their prior credit history, and they could become more significant in the future. Increases in internal student financing adversely affect our cash flows and expose us to        greater credit risk. Although we have reserved for estimated losses related to unpaid student balances, losses in excess of the amount we have reserved for bad debts could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

***High interest rates and tightening of the credit markets could adversely affect our ability to attract and retain students and could increase our risk exposure.***Since much of the financing our students receive is tied to floating interest rates, higher interest rates cause a corresponding increase in the        cost to our existing and prospective students of financing their education, which could result in a reduction in the number of students attending our institutes and in our revenue. Higher interest rates could also contribute to higher default rates with respect to our students’ repayment of Title IV Program and private education loans. High default rates may, in turn, adversely impact our eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs, trigger our recourse obligations with        respect to those private education loans that are guaranteed by us and/or negatively affect the willingness of private lenders to make private education loan programs available to our students, which could result in a reduction in the number of students attending our institutes and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

In addition, tighter credit markets have caused lenders to alter the terms of private education loans that they offer in ways that are not beneficial to our student and parent borrowers, such as:

 

| **•** | changing the terms and pricing of their private education loans in ways that are less favorable to borrowers; |
|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | reducing or eliminating borrower benefits on private education loans; and |
|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | becoming more selective in originating private education loans, which could adversely impact the ability of borrowers with little or poor credit history to borrow the necessary funds to pay their cost of education. |
|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

As a result of those adverse effects on our students’ ability to finance their cost of education, our receivables could increase and/or our student population could decrease, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial 

 

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condition, results of operations and cash flows. Further, a tighter credit market could cause lenders to seek additional guarantees from us related to private education loans, which would increase our exposure to credit risk.

 

***If the charge-off rate on private education loans that we have guaranteed is higher than we anticipate, or if the charge offs occur earlier in the life of those loans, our guarantee obligation with respect to those loans may have a material adverse effect on us.***We have entered into a risk sharing agreement        (“RSA”) with an unaffiliated lender for private education loans provided to our students to help pay the students’ cost of education that student financial aid from federal, state and other sources does not cover. Under the RSA, if more than a certain percentage of the private education loans, based on dollar volume, are charged off by the holder of those loans, we guarantee the repayment of any private education loans that are charged off above that percentage. The        maximum potential future payments that we could be required to make pursuant to our guarantee obligations under the RSA are affected by: 

 

| **•** | the amount of the private education loans made under the RSA;                                         |   |
|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | the fact that those loans will consist of a large number of loans of individually immaterial amounts; |
| **•** | the interest and fees associated with those loans;                                                    |   |
| **•** | the repayment performance of those loans; and                                                         |   |
| **•** | when during the life of those loans they are charged off.                                             |   |

 

As a result, we are not able to estimate the maximum potential future payments that we could be required to make under the RSA. Based on the prior repayment history of our students with respect to private education loans, we do not believe that our guarantee obligations under the RSA will have a material adverse effect on us. If, however, the        charge-off rate on the loans that are subject to the RSA is higher than we anticipate, or if the charge offs occur earlier in the life of those loans, we could be required to repay many more loans with higher balances than anticipated, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

***Our loss of key personnel could harm our business**.*Our success to date has depended, and will continue to depend, largely on the skills, efforts and motivation of our executive officers. Our success also depends in large part on our ability to attract and retain highly qualified        faculty, school administrators and corporate management. We face competition in the attraction and retention of personnel who possess the skill sets that we seek. In addition, key personnel may leave us and subsequently compete against us. Furthermore, we do not currently carry “key man” life insurance. The loss of the services of any of our key personnel, or our failure to attract and retain other qualified and experienced personnel on acceptable terms, could impair our        ability to successfully manage our business.

 

In order to support revenue growth, we need to hire, retain, develop and train employees who are responsible for student recruiting, financial aid, registration, teaching and career services. Our ability to develop a strong team of employees with these responsibilities may be affected by a number of factors,        including:

 

| **•** | our ability to timely and effectively train and motivate our employees in order for them to become productive;            |
|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | restrictions imposed by regulatory bodies on the method of compensating employees with certain of these responsibilities; |

| **•** | our ability to attract enough prospective students to our program offerings; and |
|------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | our ability to effectively manage a multi-location educational organization.     |   |

 

If we are unable to hire, retain, develop and train employees who are responsible for student recruiting, financial aid, registration, teaching and career services, our operations would be adversely affected.

 

***Competition could decrease our market share, cause us to reduce tuition or force us to increase spending**.*The postsecondary education market in the United States is highly fragmented and competitive, with no single private or public institution enjoying a significant market share. Our        institutes compete for students with degree- and nondegree-granting institutions, which include nonprofit public and private colleges and for-profit institutions, as well as with alternatives to higher education such as military service or immediate employment. We believe competition among educational institutions is based on the:

 

| **•** | quality and reliability of the institution’s programs and student services;              |   |
|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | reputation of the institution and its programs and student services;                           |   |
| **•** | type and cost of the institution’s programs;                                             |   |
| **•** | employability of the institution’s graduates;                                            |   |
| **•** | ability to provide easy and convenient access to the institution’s programs and courses; |
| **•** | quality and experience of the institution’s faculty; and                                 |   |
| **•** | time required to complete the institution’s programs.                                    |   |

 

Certain public and private colleges offer programs similar to those offered by our institutes at a lower tuition cost due in part to government subsidies, foundation grants, tax deductible contributions or other financial resources not available to for-profit institutions. Other for-profit institutions offer programs that compete with those of our institutes.        

 

- 21 -

 

 

Certain of our competitors in both the public and private sectors have greater financial and other resources than we do. All of these factors could affect the success of our marketing efforts and enable our competitors to recruit prospective students more effectively.

 

We may be required to reduce tuition or increase spending in response to competition in order to retain or attract students or pursue new market opportunities. As a result, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows may be negatively affected. We cannot be sure that we will be able to compete successfully against current or        future competitors or that competitive pressures faced by us will not adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

***Our quarterly results of operations are likely to fluctuate based on our seasonal student enrollment patterns**.*In reviewing our results of operations, you should not focus on quarter-to-quarter comparisons. Our results in any quarter may not indicate the results we may achieve in any        subsequent quarter or for the full year. Our quarterly results of operations have tended to fluctuate as a result of seasonal variations in our business, principally due to changes in our total student population. Our student population varies as a result of new student enrollments, graduations and student attrition. Historically, our revenue in our third and fourth fiscal quarters has generally benefited from increased student matriculations. The number of new students entering our        institutes is typically higher in September. Our institutes’ academic schedule generally does not affect our incurrence of most of our costs, however, and our costs do not fluctuate significantly on a quarterly basis. We believe that quarterly fluctuations in results of operations should continue as a result of seasonal enrollment patterns. These patterns may change, however, as a result of increased enrollment of adult students. See “Management’s Discussion and        Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Variations in Quarterly Results of Operations.”

 

***We may be unable to successfully complete or integrate future school acquisitions.***We may consider selective acquisitions of other schools in the future. We may not be able to complete any acquisitions on favorable terms or, even if we do, we may not be able to successfully integrate the acquired businesses        into our business. Integration challenges include, among others:

 

| **•** | regulatory approvals;                        |   |
|------------|----------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | significant capital expenditures;            |   |
| **•** | assumption of known and unknown liabilities; |
| **•** | our ability to control costs; and            |   |
| **•** | our ability to integrate new personnel.      |   |

 

The successful integration of future acquisitions may also require substantial attention from our senior management and the senior management of the acquired business, which could decrease the time that they devote to the day-to-day management of our business. If we do not successfully address risks and challenges associated with acquisitions, including        integration, future acquisitions could harm, rather than enhance, our operating performance.

 

In addition, if we consummate an acquisition, our capitalization and results of operations may change significantly. A future acquisition could result in:

 

| **•** | the incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities;                                            |   |
|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | an increase in interest expense, amortization expenses, goodwill and other intangible assets; |
| **•** | charges relating to integration costs; and                                                    |   |
| **•** | an increase in the number of shares outstanding.                                              |   |

 

These results could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition or result in dilution to current stockholders. 

 

***Terrorist attacks and other acts of violence or war could have an adverse effect on our operations**.*Terrorist attacks and other acts of violence or war could disrupt our operations. Attacks or armed conflicts that directly impact our physical facilities or ability to recruit and retain        students and employees could adversely affect our ability to deliver our programs of study to our students and, thereby, impair our ability to achieve our financial and operational goals. Furthermore, violent acts and threats of future attacks could adversely affect the U.S. and world economies. Finally, future terrorist acts could cause the United States to enter into a wider armed conflict that could further impact our operations and result in prospective students, as well as our        current students and employees, entering military service. These factors could cause significant declines in the number of students who attend our institutes and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

***Natural disasters and other acts of God could have an adverse effect on our operations.***Hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, tornados and other natural disasters and acts of God could disrupt our operations. Natural disasters and other acts of God that directly impact our physical facilities or ability to        recruit and retain students and employees could adversely affect our ability to deliver our programs of study to our students and, thereby, impair our 

 

- 22 -

 

 

ability to achieve our financial and operational goals. Furthermore, natural disasters could adversely affect the economy and demographics of the affected region, which could cause significant declines in the number of students who attend our institutes in that region and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

***Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and under Delaware law could make an acquisition of us more difficult**.*Certain provisions of Delaware law, our Restated Certificate of Incorporation and our By-Laws could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to        acquire, or discouraging a third party from attempting to acquire, control of us. Those provisions could:

 

| **•** | limit the price that certain investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock;                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | discourage or prevent certain types of transactions involving an actual or threatened change in control of us (including unsolicited takeover attempts), even though such a transaction may offer our stockholders the opportunity to sell their stock at a price above the prevailing market price; |

| **•** | make it more difficult for stockholders to take certain corporate actions; and |
|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of us.           |   |

 

Certain of those provisions authorize us to:

 

| **•** | issue “blank check” preferred stock;                       |   |
|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | divide our Board of Directors into three classes expiring in rotation; |
| **•** | require advance notice for stockholder proposals and nominations;      |   |
| **•** | prohibit stockholders from calling a special meeting; and              |   |
| **•** | prohibit stockholder action by written consent.                        |   |

 

***If we are unable to conclude successfully litigation against us, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected**.*In the ordinary conduct of our business, we are subject to various lawsuits, investigations and claims, covering a wide range of        matters, including, but not limited to, claims involving students or graduates and routine employment matters. It is possible that we may be required to pay substantial damages or settlement costs in excess of our insurance coverage to resolve those matters, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operation. See “Legal Proceedings.”

 

***The personal information that we collect may be vulnerable to breach, theft or loss that could adversely affect our reputation and operations.***Possession and use of personal information in our operations subjects us to risks and costs that could harm our business. Our institutes collect, use and retain large        amounts of personal information regarding our students and their families, including social security numbers, tax return information, personal and family financial data and credit card numbers. We also collect and maintain personal information of our employees in the ordinary course of our business. Some of this personal information is held and managed by certain of our vendors. Although we use security and business controls to limit access and use of personal information, a third party        may be able to circumvent those security and business controls, which could result in a breach of student or employee privacy. In addition, errors in the storage, use or transmission of personal information could result in a breach of student or employee privacy. Possession and use of personal information in our operations also subjects us to legislative and regulatory burdens that could require notification of data breaches and restrict our use of personal information. We cannot assure        you that a breach, loss or theft of personal information will not occur. A major breach, theft or loss of personal information regarding our students and their families or our employees that is held by us or our vendors could subject us to costly claims or litigation, have a material adverse effect on our reputation and results of operations and result in further regulation and oversight by federal and state authorities and increased costs of compliance.

 

***Capacity constraints, security breaches or system interruptions to our computer networks could disrupt our operations, damage our reputation, limit our ability to attract and retain students and require us to expend significant resources.***The performance and reliability of our computer systems are critical        to our information management, reputation and ability to attract and retain students. Any system error or failure, or a sudden and significant increase in traffic, could disrupt the provision of education to students attending our institutes. We cannot assure you that we will be able to expand the infrastructure of our computer systems on a timely basis sufficient to meet demand. Our computer systems and operations could be vulnerable to interruption or malfunction due to events beyond        our control, including natural disasters and telecommunications failures. Any interruption to our computer systems could have a material adverse effect on our operations and ability to attract and retain students. These factors could affect the number of students who attend our institutes and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

Our computer systems may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer hackers, computer viruses and other security problems. A user who circumvents security measures could misappropriate proprietary information or cause interruptions or malfunctions in operations. As a result, we may be required to expend significant resources to protect        

 

- 23 -

 

 

against the threat of those security breaches or to alleviate problems caused by those breaches. These factors could affect the number of students who attend our institutes and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

***We rely on exclusive proprietary rights and intellectual property that may not be adequately protected under current laws, and we may encounter disputes from time to time relating to our use of intellectual property of third parties*****.**Our success depends in part on our ability to        protect our proprietary rights. We rely on a combination of copyrights, trademarks, service marks, trade secrets, domain names and agreements to protect our proprietary rights. We rely on service mark and trademark protection in the United States to protect our rights to distinctive marks associated with our services. We rely on agreements under which we obtain rights to use our name and related marks and course content developed by our faculty, our other employees and third party        content experts. We cannot assure you that those measures will be adequate, that we have secured, or will be able to secure, appropriate protections for all of our proprietary rights, or that third parties will not infringe upon or violate our proprietary rights. Despite our efforts to protect those rights, unauthorized third parties may attempt to duplicate or copy the proprietary aspects of our name, curricula and other content. Our management's attention may be diverted by those        attempts and we may need to use funds in litigation to protect our proprietary rights against any infringement or violation.

 

We may encounter disputes from time to time over rights and obligations concerning intellectual property, and we may not prevail in those disputes. In certain instances, we may not have obtained sufficient rights in the content of a course or a program of study. Third parties may raise a claim against us alleging an infringement or violation        of the intellectual property of that third party. Some third party intellectual property rights may be extremely broad, and it may not be possible for us to conduct our operations in such a way as to avoid those intellectual property rights. Any such intellectual property claim could subject us to costly litigation, regardless of whether the claim has merit. Our insurance coverage may not cover potential claims of this type adequately or at all, and we may be required to alter the        content of our courses or programs of study, or pay significant monetary damages, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

**Risk Related to Our Common Stock**

 

***The trading price of our common stock may fluctuate substantially in the future.***The trading price of our common stock may fluctuate substantially as a result of a number of factors, some of which are not within our control. Those factors include, among others:

 

| **•** | our ability to meet or exceed our own forecasts or expectations of analysts or investors; |
|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | quarterly variations in our operating results;                                            |   |

| **•** | changes in ED and state laws and regulations and accreditation standards, or changes in the way that laws, regulations and accreditation standards are interpreted and applied; |
|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | the initiation, pendency or outcome of litigation, regulatory reviews and investigations, and any adverse publicity related thereto;                                            |

| **•** | changes in our own forecasts or earnings estimates by analysts; |
|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market, which have affected the market prices of many companies in the for-profit, postsecondary education industry in recent periods; |
|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | the availability of financing for our students; |
|------------|-------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | the loss of key personnel; and                  |   |
| **•** | general economic conditions.                    |   |

 

Those factors could adversely affect the trading price of our common stock and could prevent an investor from selling shares of our common stock at or above the price at which those shares were purchased. 

 

| **Item 1B.** | **Unresolved Staff Comments.** |
|--------------|--------------------------------|

 

| Not applicable. |
|-----------------|

 

| **Item 2.** | **Properties.** |
|-------------|-----------------|

 

| As of December 31, 2008, we: |
|------------------------------|

 

| **•** | leased 90 facilities used by our institutes and learning sites;                |   |
|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | owned 29 facilities used by our institutes; and                                |   |
| **•** | leased five facilities that are intended to be used by new institutes in 2009. |

 

Our facilities are located in 37 states. None of the facilities owned by us is subject to a mortgage or other indebtedness.

 

We generally locate our institutes in suburban areas near major population centers. We generally house our campus facilities in modern, air conditioned buildings, which include classrooms, laboratories, student break areas and administrative offices. Our institutes have accessible parking facilities and are generally near a major highway. The        

 

- 24 -

 

 

facilities of a typical institute range in size from approximately 10,000 to 58,000 square feet of office space. The initial lease terms of our institutes’ leased facilities range from three to 15 years. The average remaining lease term of our leased facilities is approximately four years. If desirable or necessary, an institute may be relocated to a new        facility reasonably near the existing facility at the end of the lease term. 

 

We own our headquarters building in Carmel, Indiana, which represents approximately 43,000 square feet of office space. In addition, we lease approximately 9,000 square feet of office space for our headquarters personnel in one nearby building for a lease term expiring in April 2010.

 

| **Item 3.** | **Legal Proceedings.** |
|-------------|------------------------|

 

We are subject to various claims and contingencies in the ordinary course of our business, including those related to litigation, business transactions, employee-related matters and taxes, among others. We cannot assure you of the ultimate outcome of any litigation involving us. Any litigation alleging violations of education or consumer        protection laws and/or regulations, misrepresentation, fraud or deceptive practices may also subject our affected institutes to additional regulatory scrutiny.

 

| **Item 4.** | **Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.** |
|-------------|----------------------------------------------------------|

 

| No matters were submitted to a vote of the holders of our common stock during the fourth quarter of 2008. |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

**PART II**

 

| **Item 5.** | **Market For Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.** |
|-------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the “ESI” trading symbol. The prices set forth below are the high and low sale prices of our common stock during the periods indicated, as reported in the NYSE's consolidated transaction reporting system.

 

|                     | **2008** |   | **2007** |
|--------------------------|----------|--------|----------|
| **Fiscal Quarter Ended** | **High** |   | **Low**  |   | **High** |   | **Low** |
| March 31                 | $93.25   |   | $42.24   |   | $84.36 |   | $66.37 |
| June 30                  | $90.71   |   | $45.72   |   | $120.45 |   | $81.54 |
| September 30             | $106.75  |   | $74.57   |   | $126.56 |   | $93.37 |
| December 31              | $96.56   |   | $62.77   |   | $131.77 |   | $83.76 |

 

| There were 99 holders of record of our common stock on February 16, 2009. |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

We did not pay a cash dividend in 2008 or 2007. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. The declaration and payment of dividends on our common stock are subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors and compliance with applicable law. Our decision to pay dividends in the future will        depend on general business conditions, the effect of such payment on our financial condition and other factors our Board of Directors may in the future consider to be relevant. 

 

We did not sell any of our securities during the three months ended December 31, 2008 that were not registered under the Securities Act.   In January 2009, we credited 636 treasury shares of our common stock to the deferred share accounts of each of five non-employee directors under the ESI Non-Employee Directors Deferred        Compensation Plan (the "Directors Deferred Compensation Plan") in payment of their annual retainer for 2009. These shares of our common stock will be issued upon the termination of the non-employee director’s service as a non-employee director for any reason, including retirement or death. In January 2009, we also issued 318 treasury shares of our common stock to one non-employee director under the Directors Deferred Compensation Plan in payment of his annual retainer for 2009.        The transactions described in this paragraph are exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(2) thereof.

 

We did not purchase any shares of our common stock in the fourth quarter of 2008.

 

The performance graph set forth below compares the cumulative total shareholder return on our common stock with the S&P 500 Index and a Peer Issuer Group Index for the period from December 31, 2003 through December 31, 2008. The peer issuer group consists of the following companies selected on the basis of the similar nature of their        business: American Public Education, Inc. (“APEI”), Apollo Group, Inc., Capella Education Company, Career Education Corp., Corinthian Colleges, Inc., DeVry, Inc., Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (“GCEI”), Lincoln Educational Services Corporation, Strayer Education, Inc. and Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (the “Peer Issuer Group”). We believe that, including us, the Peer Issuer Group represents a significant portion of the market value of publicly        traded companies whose primary business is postsecondary education. The Peer Issuer Group includes all of the peer issuers in the former peer issuer group, except for APEI and GCEI. APEI and GCEI became publicly traded companies in 2008.

 

- 25 -

 

 

 

 

**Cumulative Total Return**

**(Based on $100 invested on December 31, 2003 and assumes**

**the reinvestment of all dividends)**

 

 

|                           | **12/31/03** | **12/31/04** | **12/31/05** | **12/31/06** | **12/31/07** | **12/31/08** |
|--------------------------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|
| ITT Educational Services, Inc. | 100.00       | 101.23       | 125.85       | 141.30       | 181.54       | 202.21       |
| Peer Issuer Group Index        | 100.00       | 105.27       | 82.74        | 65.37        | 103.34       | 109.05       |
| Former Peer Issuer Group Index | 100.00       | 105.27       | 82.74        | 65.37        | 103.34       | 109.58       |
| S&P 500 Index              | 100.00       | 110.88       | 116.33       | 134.70       | 142.10       | 89.53        |

 

The preceding stock price Performance Graph and related information shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate        it by reference into such filing.

 

 

- 26 -

 

 

 

| **Item 6.** | **Selected Financial Data.** |
|-------------|------------------------------|

 

The following selected financial data are qualified by reference to and should be read with our Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and other financial data included elsewhere in this report.

 

|                                            | **Year Ended December 31,**                       |
|-------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|
|                                            | **2008 (a)**                                      |   | **2007 (a)** |   | **2006 (a)** |   | **2005** |   | **2004** |
|                                            | **(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)** |
| **Statement of Income Data:**                   |                                              |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Revenue                                         | $1,015,333                                        |   | $869,508 |   | $757,764 |   | $688,003 |   | $617,834 |
| Cost of educational services                    | 383,769                                           |   | 358,601 |   | 356,851 |   | 328,343 |   | 298,747 |
| Student services and administrative expenses    | 303,693                                           |   | 268,876 |   | 219,820 |   | 193,003 |   | 174,396 |
| Special legal and other investigation costs (b) | --                                                |   | -- |   | (430) |   | 1,219 |   | 25,143 |
| Total costs and expenses                        | 687,462                                           |   | 627,477 |   | 576,241 |   | 522,565 |   | 498,286 |
| Operating income                                | 327,871                                           |   | 242,031 |   | 181,523 |   | 165,438 |   | 119,548 |
| Interest income, net                            | 1,894                                             |   | 2,455 |   | 8,104 |   | 8,853 |   | 3,834 |
| Income before income taxes                      | 329,765                                           |   | 244,486 |   | 189,627 |   | 174,291 |   | 123,382 |
| Income taxes                                    | 126,793                                           |   | 92,894 |   | 71,111 |   | 64,579 |   | 48,119 |
| Net income                                      | $202,972                                          |   | $151,592 |   | $118,516 |   | $109,712 |   | $75,263 |
| Earnings per share: (c)                         |                                              |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Basic                                           | $5.22                                             |   | $3.77 |   | $2.77 |   | $2.38 |   | $1.64 |
| Diluted                                         | $5.17                                             |   | $3.71 |   | $2.72 |   | $2.33 |   | $1.61 |
|                                            |                                              |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Other Operating Data (d):**                   |                                              |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Capital expenditures, net                       | $17,543                                           |   | $15,514 |   | $23,717 |   | $21,334 |   | $19,116 |
| Facility expenditures and land purchases        | $18,093                                           |   | $12,589 |   | $18,929 |   | $25,145 |   | $16,376 |
| Number of students at end of period (unaudited) | 61,983                                            |   | 53,027 |   | 46,896 |   | 42,985 |   | 40,876 |
| Number of technical institutes at end           |                                              |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| of period (unaudited)                           | 105                                               |   | 97 |   | 87 |   | 81 |   | 77 |
| Number of learning sites at end of              |                                              |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| period (unaudited)                              | 9                                                 |   | 9 |   | 9 |   | 4 |   | 1 |
|                                            | **At December 31,**                               |
|                                            | **2008**                                          |   | **2007** |   | **2006** |   | **2005** |   | **2004** |
|                                            | **(Dollars in thousands)**                        |
| **Balance Sheet Data:**                         |                                              |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash      |                                              |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| and investments                                 | $375,928                                          |   | $317,202 |   | $357,439 |   | $411,925 |   | $356,516 |
| Total current assets                            | $431,045                                          |   | $349,823 |   | $380,952 |   | $437,008 |   | $372,781 |
| Property and equipment, less accumulated        |                                              |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| depreciation                                    | $166,671                                          |   | $153,265 |   | $148,411 |   | $127,406 |   | $98,746 |
| Total assets (e)                                | $623,859                                          |   | $540,953 |   | $560,320 |   | $592,491 |   | $493,389 |
| Total current liabilities                       | $264,553                                          |   | $291,924 |   | $284,505 |   | $251,139 |   | $233,101 |
| Total long-term debt                            | $150,000                                          |   | $150,000 |   | $150,000 |   | -- |   | -- |
| Total liabilities (e)                           | $436,008                                          |   | $470,395 |   | $456,375 |   | $283,897 |   | $258,315 |
| Shareholders' equity (e)                        | $187,851                                          |   | $70,558 |   | $103,945 |   | $308,594 |   | $235,074 |

**_____________________________**

 

| (a) | Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” ("SFAS No. 123R"), which requires us to expense the fair value of stock-based compensation awards. Prior to 2006, we accounted for stock-based compensation in                    accordance with Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” ("APB Opinion No. 25") and related interpretations. If the stock-based compensation expense in the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 had been determined in accordance with APB Opinion No. 25, instead of SFAS No. 123R, we would have reported the following increases in certain selected financial data with respect to these                    years: |
|-----|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

- 27 -

 

 

 

 

|                       |   | **Year Ended December 31,** |
|----------------------------|--------|-----------------------------|
|                       |   | **2008**                    |   | **2007** |   | **2006** |
| Income before income taxes |   | $7,235                      |   | $5,100 |   | $3,067 |
| Income taxes               |   | $2,785                      |   | $1,963 |   | $1,181 |
| Net income                 |   | $4,450                      |   | $3,137 |   | $1,886 |
| Earnings per share:        |   |                        |   |   |   |   |
| Basic                      |   | $0.11                       |   | $0.07 |   | $0.04 |
| Diluted                    |   | $0.11                       |   | $0.07 |   | $0.04 |

 

See Notes 1 and 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of our stock-based compensation.

| (b) | Legal and other investigation costs associated with the DOJ investigation of us, the inquiry initiated by the SEC into the allegations investigated by the DOJ, and the securities class action, shareholder derivative and books and records inspection lawsuits filed against us, certain of our current and former executive officers and Directors.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|-----|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| (c) | Earnings per share for all periods have been calculated in conformity with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings per Share.” Earnings per share data are based on historical net income and the weighted average number of shares of our common stock outstanding during each period. The number of shares used to calculate basic earnings per share differs from the number                    of shares used to calculate diluted earnings per share. The number of shares used to calculate basic earnings per share was the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. The number of shares used to calculate diluted earnings per share was the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, plus the average number of shares that could be issued under our stock-based compensation plans and less the number of shares assumed to be purchased with any proceeds                    received from the exercise of awards under those plans. |

| (d) | We did not pay any cash dividends in any of the periods presented. |
|-----|--------------------------------------------------------------------|

| (e) | As of December 31, 2006, we adopted 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)” ("SFAS No. 158"), which requires that the funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan be recognized on a company’s balance                    sheet, and that any changes in the funded status of that type of plan be recognized through comprehensive income. The adoption of this pronouncement affects the comparability of total assets, total liabilities and shareholders’ equity as of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 to the amounts under the same captions as of the same date in prior years. See Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of our pension plans. The adoption of SFAS No.                    123R, as discussed in footnote (a) above, also affects the comparability of shareholders’ equity as of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 to the amounts under the same caption as of the same date in prior years. |
|-----|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

| **Item 7.** | **Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.** |
|-------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

*The following discussion should be read with the Selected Financial Data and the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report.*

 

**General**

 

As of December 31, 2008, we operated 105 institutes and nine learning sites in 37 states, which were providing postsecondary education to approximately 62,000 students. We derive our revenue from tuition, the sale of tool kits and laptop computers, and fees charged to and paid by, or on behalf of, our students. Most students at our institutes        pay a substantial portion of their tuition and other education-related expenses with funds received under various government-sponsored student financial aid programs, especially Title IV Programs. In 2008, we indirectly derived approximately 73% of our revenue determined on an accrual accounting basis (or 72% of our revenue, determined on a cash accounting basis as defined by the ED’s regulations) from Title IV Programs. 

 

Our revenue varies based on the aggregate student population, which is influenced by the number of students attending our institutes at the beginning of a fiscal period and student retention rates. 

 

New students generally enter our institutes at the beginning of an academic quarter that begins for most programs of study in early March, mid-June, early September and late November or early December. Our establishment of new institutes and the introduction of additional program offerings at our existing institutes have been significant        factors in increasing the aggregate student population in recent years. 

 

In order to participate in Title IV Programs, a new institute must be authorized by the state in which it will operate, accredited by an accrediting commission recognized by the ED, and certified by the ED to participate in Title 

 

- 28 -

 

 

IV Programs. The accrediting commission that accredits our institutes grants accreditation to a new institute prior to its first class start date. The ED’s certification process cannot commence until the institute receives its state authorization and accreditation. In the last few years, we have experienced minimal delay in obtaining ED certification of our        new institutes and learning sites.

 

We earn tuition revenue on a straight-line basis over the length of each of four, 12-week academic quarters in each fiscal year. State regulations, accrediting commission criteria and our policies generally require us to refund a portion of the tuition and fee payments received from a student who withdraws from one of our institutes during an        academic quarter. We recognize immediately the amount of tuition and fees, if any, that we may retain after payment of any refund.

 

We incur expenses throughout a fiscal period in connection with the operation of our institutes. The cost of educational services includes salaries of faculty and institute administrators, cost of course materials, occupancy costs, depreciation and amortization of equipment costs, facilities and leasehold improvements, and other miscellaneous        costs incurred by our institutes. 

 

Student services and administrative expenses include direct marketing costs (which are marketing expenses directly related to new student recruitment), indirect marketing expenses, an expense for uncollectible accounts and administrative expenses incurred at our corporate headquarters. Direct marketing costs include salaries and employee        benefits for recruiting representatives and direct solicitation expenses. We capitalize our direct marketing costs (excluding advertising expenses) using the successful efforts method and amortize them on a cost-pool-by-cost-pool basis over the period that we expect to receive revenue streams associated with those assets. We expense as incurred our marketing costs that do not relate to the direct solicitation of potential students.

 

In 2008, we continued to add program offerings among existing institutes and began operations at new institutes. We also continued our efforts to diversify our program offerings by developing residence and online programs at different degree levels in both technology and non-technology fields of study. 

 

| The following table sets forth select operating and growth statistics for the periods indicated: |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

|                                                   | **Year Ended December 31,** |
|--------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|
|                                                   | **2008**                    |   | **2007** |   | **2006** |
| Additional program offerings                           | 190                         |   | 246 |   | 142 |
| Number of institutes with additional program offerings | 71                          |   | 85 |   | 45 |
| Began operations at:                                   |                        |   |   |   |   |
| New institutes                                         | 8                           |   | 10 |   | 6 |
| New learning sites                                     | --                          |   | -- |   | 5 |
| Institutes offering bachelor degree programs           | 87                          |   | 73 |   | 59 |

 

In 2009, we intend to add approximately 250 of our current program offerings among approximately 95 existing institutes. We also plan to continue developing additional residence and online programs at different degree levels in technology and non-technology fields of study to be offered at our institutes. The new degree programs are expected        to involve a variety of disciplines and be at the associate and bachelor degree levels. We intend to develop both a residence and online version of many of the new programs. In 2009, we intend to increase the number of our institutes that offer bachelor degree programs to approximately 95. We plan to begin operations at six to eight locations in 2009. Our new institutes generally incur a loss up to 24 months after the first class start date.

 

**Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates**

 

This management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the        reported amount of assets and liabilities, revenue and expenses and contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from those estimates and judgments under different assumptions or conditions.

 

We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant estimates and judgments used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. These policies should be read in conjunction with Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

***Recognition of Revenue.***Tuition revenue is recorded on a straight-line basis over the length of the applicable course. If a student withdraws from an institute, the standards of most SAs that regulate our institutes, the ACICS and our own internal policy limit a student’s obligation for tuition and        fees to the institute depending on when a student withdraws during an academic quarter. The terms of the Refund Policies vary by state, and the limitations imposed by the Refund Policies are generally based on the portion of the academic quarter that has elapsed at the time the student withdraws. Generally, the greater the portion of the academic quarter that has elapsed at the time the student 

 

- 29 -

 

 

withdraws, the greater the student’s obligation is to the institute for the tuition and fees related to that academic quarter. We record revenue net of any refunds that result from any applicable Refund Policy. 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 deferred revenue.

 

Tuition revenue includes textbooks students use in their programs of study. We record the cost of these textbooks in prepaid expenses and other current assets and amortize the cost on a straight-line basis over the applicable course length. Laptop computer and tool kit sales, and the related cost of each, are recognized when the student        receives the laptop computer or tool kit. Academic fees (which are charged only one time to students on their first day of class attendance) are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the average program length. If a student withdraws from an institute, all unrecognized revenue relating to his or her fees, net of any refunds that result from any applicable Refund Policy, is recognized upon the student’s departure. An administrative fee is charged to a student and        recognized as revenue when the student withdraws or graduates from a program of study at an institute. 

 

The following table sets forth the composition of our revenue in the periods indicated:

 

|    |   | **Year Ended December 31,** |
|---------|--------|-----------------------------|
|    |   | **2008**                    |   | **2007** |   | **2006** |
| Tuition |   | 98%                         |   | 97% |   | 96% |
| Other   |   | 2%                          |   | 3% |   | 4% |

 

Other revenue included laptop computer and tool kit sales and student fees. The amount of tuition earned depends on:

 

| **•** | the cost per credit hour of the courses in our programs;                    |   |
|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | the length of a student’s enrollment;                                 |   |
| **•** | the number of courses a student takes during each period of enrollment; and |
| **•** | the total number of students enrolled in our programs.                      |   |

 

Each of these factors is known at the time our tuition revenue is calculated.

 

***Equity-Based Compensation.***Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted SFAS No. 123R, which prescribes the accounting for equity instruments exchanged for employee and director services. Under SFAS No. 123R, stock-based compensation cost is measured at the date of grant, based on the calculated fair value of the        grant, and is recognized as an expense over the period of time that the grantee must provide services to us before the stock-based compensation is fully vested. The vesting period is generally the period set forth in the agreement granting the stock-based compensation. Under the terms of our stock-based compensation plans, some grants immediately vest in full when the grantee’s employment or service terminates, or when he or she is eligible to retire. As a result, in certain        circumstances, the period of time that the grantee must provide services to us in order for that stock-based compensation to fully vest may be less than the vesting period set forth in the agreement granting the stock-based compensation. In these instances, compensation expense will be recognized over this shorter period. We recognize stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the service period applicable to the grantee.

 

We use a binomial option pricing model to determine the fair value of all stock options granted on or after January 1, 2005, and we use the market price of our common stock to determine the fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) granted. The fair value of the stock options granted prior to January 1,        2005 was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Various assumptions are used in the option pricing models to determine the fair value of the stock options. These assumptions are discussed in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, we granted stock options and RSUs to certain employees and directors. In 2006, we began granting restricted stock and RSUs, instead of stock options, to:

 

| **•** | our non-executive key employees for the purpose of:                                                        |   |
|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
|       | **•  **reducing the dilutive effect on our common stock caused by stock-based compensation; |
|       | **•  **reducing our compensation expense related to stock-based compensation; and           |   |

| **•  **granting a form of stock-based compensation the long-term value of which could be better understood and appreciated by those employees; and |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | our non-employee directors to better align their interests with those of our shareholders. |
|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

 

- 30 -

 

 

 

The following table sets forth the stock-based compensation expense and related income tax benefit recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Income in the periods indicated:

 

|                             |   | **Year Ended December 31,** |
|----------------------------------|--------|-----------------------------|
|                             |   | **2008**                    |   | **2007** |   | **2006** |
|                             |   | **(Dollars in thousands)**  |
| Stock-based compensation expense |   | $7,235                      |   | $5,100 |   | $3,067 |
| Income tax (benefit)             |   | ($2,785)                    |   | ($1,963) |   | ($1,181) |
|                             |   | $4,450                      |   | $3,137 |   | $1,886 |

 

As of December 31, 2008, we estimated that pre-tax compensation expense for unvested stock-based compensation grants in the amount of approximately $9.8 million, net of estimated forfeitures, will be recognized in future periods. We expect to recognize this expense over the remaining service period applicable to the grantees which, on a        weighted average basis, is approximately two years.

 

On October 24, 2005, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors accelerated the vesting of all unvested, nonqualified stock options granted to our employees and directors that had exercise prices greater than the closing price of our common stock on that date. As a result of the vesting acceleration, all of those stock options were        fully exercisable as of October 24, 2005. The purpose for accelerating the vesting of those stock options was to reduce our compensation costs associated with those stock options upon our adoption of SFAS No. 123R in 2006.

 

On October 28, 2005, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors awarded certain of our executives nonqualified stock options to purchase a total of 276,340 shares of our common stock as of November 2, 2005. The stock options awarded were fully vested and immediately exercisable. The full vesting of the stock options was conditioned        upon each optionee agreeing not to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any shares obtained upon exercising the option until:

 

| **•** | the first anniversary with respect to one-third of the shares underlying the option; |
|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | the second anniversary with respect to an additional one-third of the shares underlying the option; and |
|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | the third anniversary with respect to the remaining one-third of the shares underlying the option. |
|------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

The purpose for accelerating the award and vesting of those stock options was to reduce our compensation costs associated with those stock options upon our adoption of SFAS No. 123R in 2006.

 

See also Notes 1 and 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of stock-based compensation and SFAS No. 123R.

 

***Income Taxes*****.**Effective January 1, 2007, we adopted FASB Interpretation Number (“FIN”) 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”), which prescribes a single, comprehensive model for        how a company should recognize, measure, present and disclose in its financial statements uncertain tax positions that the company has taken or expects to take on a tax return. This interpretation requires the evaluation of whether it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits of a tax position, that the benefits resulting from the position will be realized by the company. Upon adoption of FIN 48, we recognized a decrease of approximately $3.4 million in the liability for        unrecognized tax benefits, which was accounted for as an increase in retained earnings of $2.2 million as of January 1, 2007 and a reduction of federal tax benefits of $1.2 million.

 

***Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts.***We extend unsecured credit to our students for tuition and fees and we record a receivable for the tuition and fees earned in excess of the payment received from or on behalf of a student. The individual student balances of these receivables are        insignificant. We record an allowance for doubtful accounts with respect to accounts receivable based on our historical collection experience. If our collection trends were to differ significantly from our historical collection experience, we would make a corresponding adjustment to our allowance for doubtful accounts.

 

In the second quarter of 2008, we began extending larger amounts of unsecured credit to our students due to a decrease in private education loans made to our students by third-party lenders. We categorized these receivables based on the students’ credit profiles and recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts based on historical        collection experience related to amounts owed by our students with similar credit profiles. 

 

When a student is no longer enrolled in a program of study at one of our institutes, we increase the allowance for doubtful accounts related to the former student’s receivable balance to reflect the amount we estimate will not be collected. The amount that we estimate will not be collected is based on a review of the historical        collection experience for each institute, adjusted as needed to reflect other facts and circumstances. We review the collection activity after a student withdraws or graduates from an institute and will write off the accounts receivable if we conclude that collection of the balance is not probable. 

 

 

- 31 -

 

 

 

***Fair Value*****.**In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“SFAS No. 159”), which permits companies to choose to measure certain financial instruments and other items at fair value that are        not currently required to be measured at fair value. SFAS No. 159 became effective for us on January 1, 2008. This pronouncement did not have any effect on our consolidated financial statements, because we did not elect the fair value methodology under SFAS No. 159 for any of our financial instruments or other items that are not currently required to be measured at fair value.

 

Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”) for financial assets and financial liabilities measured on a recurring basis. This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles, and expands        disclosures regarding fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 applies whenever other accounting pronouncements require or permit fair value measurements for assets and liabilities. 

 

SFAS No. 157 defines fair value for financial reporting as the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid upon the transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value measurement of our financial assets utilized assumptions categorized as observable inputs        under SFAS No. 157. Observable inputs are assumptions based on independent market data sources.

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the fair value measurement of our financial assets as of December 31, 2008:

 

|                   |   |                 |   | **Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using**      |
|------------------------|--------|----------------------|--------|----------------------------------------------------------|
|                   |   |                 |   | **(Level 1)**                                            |   | **(Level 2)** |   | **(Level 3)** |
| **Description**        |   | **As of 12/31/2008** |   | **Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets** |   | **Significant Other Observable Inputs** |   | **Significant Unobservable Inputs** |
|                   |   |                 |   | **(In thousands)**                                       |   |   |
| Cash Equivalents       |   | $225,894             |   | $222,394                                                 |   | $3,500 |   | $-- |
| Restricted Cash        |   | 10,385               |   | 10,385                                                   |   | -- |   | -- |
| Short-Term Investments |   | 138,709              |   | 53,056                                                   |   | 85,653 |   | -- |
|                   |   | $374,988             |   | $285,835                                                 |   | $89,153 |   | $-- |

 

We used quoted prices in active markets for identical assets as of the measurement date to value our financial assets that were categorized as Level 1. For assets that were categorized as Level 2, we used:

 

| **•** | quoted prices for similar assets in active markets; |
|------------|-----------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that were not active or in which little public information had been released; |
|------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | inputs other than quoted prices that were observable for the assets; or |
|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | inputs that were principally derived from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. |
|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

As of January 31, 2009, we had liquidated $31.0 million of the assets that were categorized as Level 2 as of December 31, 2008 for amounts that were equivalent to the reported fair values of those assets.

 

***Property and Equipment.***We include all property and equipment in the financial statements at cost and make provisions for depreciation of property and equipment using the straight-line method. The following table sets forth the general ranges of the estimated useful lives of our property and        equipment:

 

| **Type of Property and Equipment**  | **Estimated Useful Life** |
|-------------------------------------|---------------------------|
| Furniture and equipment             | 3 to 10 years             |   |
| Leasehold and building improvements | 3 to 14 years             |   |
| Buildings                           | 20 to 40 years            |   |
| Software                            | 3 to 8 years              |   |

 

Changes in circumstances, such as changes in our curricula and technological advances, may result in the actual useful lives of our property and equipment differing from our estimates. We regularly review and evaluate the estimated useful lives of our property and equipment. Although we believe that our assumptions and estimates are reasonable, deviations from our        assumptions and estimates could produce a materially different result.

 

We regularly review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of those assets may not be recoverable. If the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair market value, we recognize an impairment loss equal to the difference. We base our impairment analyses of long-lived        

 

- 32 -

 

 

assets on our current business strategy, expected growth rates and estimates of future economic and regulatory conditions.

 

***Direct Marketing Costs.***Direct costs incurred relating to the enrollment of new students are capitalized using the successful efforts method. The direct costs subject to capitalization are readily quantifiable and are not subject to estimation. Direct marketing costs subject to capitalization include        salaries and employee benefits of recruiting representatives and other direct costs. Successful efforts is the ratio of students enrolled to prospective students interviewed. The higher the rate of interviewed students who enroll, the greater the percentage of our direct marketing costs that are capitalized. We amortize our direct marketing costs on a cost-pool-by-cost-pool basis over the period that we expect to receive revenue streams associated with those assets. The amortization        method and period are based on historical trends of student enrollment and retention activity and are not subject to significant assumptions. We regularly evaluate the factors used to determine the amounts to be deferred and amortized and the future recoverability of those deferred costs.

 

***Contingent Liabilities.***We are subject to various claims and contingencies in the ordinary course of our business, including those related to litigation, business transactions, employee-related matters and taxes, among others. When we are aware of a claim or potential claim, we assess the likelihood of any        loss or exposure. If it is probable that a loss will result and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, we record a liability for the loss. The liability recorded includes probable and estimable legal costs associated with the claim or potential claim. If the loss is not probable or the amount of the loss cannot be reasonably estimated, we disclose the claim if the likelihood of a potential loss is reasonably possible and the amount involved is material. Although we believe        our estimates are reasonable, deviations from our estimates could produce a materially different result.

 

***Guarantees*****.**In accordance with FIN 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others, an interpretation of FASB Statements No. 5, 57 and 107 and rescission of FASB Interpretation No.        34” (“FIN 45”), we recognize a liability for the fair value of a guarantee obligation upon its issuance. The fair market value of our guarantee of the payment of certain private loans previously made to our students by an unaffiliated lender was estimated based on historical charge off experience with respect to private loans made to our students and the present value of the expected cash flows that may result from the settlement of the guarantee obligation in the        future. Although we believe our estimates are reasonable, deviations from our estimates could produce a materially different result.

 

***Employee Pension Benefits.***Effective December 31, 2008, we adopted the measurement date provisions of 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)” (“SFAS No.        158”). SFAS No. 158 requires a company to measure the funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan as of the date of the company’s year end balance sheet. We utilized the pension measurements as of September 30, 2007 to determine the amount of the net periodic benefit cost allocated to the three month period ended December 31, 2007 for the transition to a calendar year end measurement date. We recognized a benefit of $0.3 million, net of income tax, in our retained        earnings as of December 31, 2008 as a result of our adoption of the measurement date provisions of SFAS No. 158.

 

See also Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a more detailed discussion of our pension plans and assumptions.

 

**New Accounting Pronouncements**

 

Effective November 15, 2008, we adopted SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (“SFAS No. 162”), which identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements that are presented in conformity        with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The adoption of this pronouncement did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. FAS 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8, “Disclosures by Public Entities (Enterprises) about Transfers of Financial Assets and Interests in Variable Interest Entities” (“FSP No. 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8”), which requires additional disclosures about transfers        of financial assets and involvement with variable interest entities. FSP No. 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8 became effective for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. We did not have any transactions which required disclosure under this guidance.

 

Also in December 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 132(R)-1, “Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets” (“FSP No. 132(R)-1”), which requires enhanced disclosures about plan assets in an employer’s defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. These disclosures are intended to        provide users of financial statements with a greater understanding of how investment allocation decisions are made, the major categories of plan assets, the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets and significant concentrations 

 

- 33 -

 

 

of risk within plan assets. FSP No. 132(R)-1 will apply to our plan asset disclosures beginning with our fiscal year ending December 31, 2009.

 

In September 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 133-1 and FIN 45-4, “Disclosures about Credit Derivatives and Certain Guarantees: An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 and FASB Interpretation No. 45; and Clarification of the Effective Date of FASB No. 161” (“FSP No. 133-1 and FIN 45-4”), which requires additional        disclosures for credit derivatives and certain guarantees. The disclosures required by this guidance that relate to credit derivatives and certain guarantees became effective for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. We did not have any transactions which required disclosure under this guidance.

 

In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 163, “Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 60” (“SFAS No. 163”), which clarifies how FASB Statement No. 60 applies to financial guarantee insurance contracts, including the recognition and measurement of premium        revenue and claim liabilities. SFAS No. 163 is effective commencing with our first fiscal quarter of 2009. We do not believe that the adoption of this pronouncement will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” (“SFAS No. 161”), which expands the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities. SFAS No. 161 is effective commencing with our first        fiscal quarter of 2009. We do not believe that the adoption of this pronouncement will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. 

 

In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” (“FSP No. 157-2”), which delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair        value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. FSP No. 157-2 is effective commencing with our first fiscal quarter of 2009. We do not believe that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements, because we do not have any nonfinancial assets or nonfinancial liabilities recognized or disclosed at fair value.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS No. 160”), which establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest of a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. SFAS No.        160 is effective commencing with our first fiscal quarter of 2009. We do not believe that the adoption of this pronouncement will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2007, the FASB revised and replaced SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations,” with SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS No. 141(R)”), which establishes principles and requirements for how a company recognizes and measures assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests acquired or        assumed in a business combination. SFAS No. 141(R) applies to any of our business combinations or acquisitions that occur after December 31, 2008. 

 

In November 2007, FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force issued 07-01, “Accounting for Collaborative Arrangements” (“EITF 07-01”), which defines collaborative arrangements and establishes reporting requirements for transactions between participants in a collaborative arrangement and between participants in the        arrangement and third parties. EITF 07-01 is effective commencing with our first fiscal quarter of 2009 and applies to arrangements in existence as of the effective date. We do not believe that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

**Variations in Quarterly Results of Operations**

 

Our quarterly results of operations have tended to fluctuate within a fiscal year due to the timing of student matriculations. Each of our four fiscal quarters have 12 weeks of earned tuition revenue. Revenue in our third and fourth fiscal quarters generally benefits from increased student matriculations. The number of new students entering        our institutes tends to be higher in September, which is the time that the public has traditionally associated with the start of a new school year. The academic schedule generally does not affect our incurrence of most of our costs, however, and costs do not fluctuate significantly on a quarterly basis. 

 

 

- 34 -

 

 

 

| The following table sets forth our revenue for the periods indicated: |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

|                   | **Quarterly Revenue**      |
|------------------------|----------------------------|
|                   | **(Dollars in thousands)** |
|                   | **2008**                   |   | **2007** |   | **2006** |   |
| **Three Months Ended** | **Amount**                 |   | **Percent** |   | **Amount** |   | **Percent** |   | **Amount** |   | **Percent** |   |
| March 31               | $234,850                   |   | 23.1% |   | $204,170 |   | 23.5% |   | $176,315 |   | 23.3% |   |
| June 30                | 246,411                    |   | 24.3% |   | 216,982 |   | 25.0% |   | 185,569 |   | 24.5% |   |
| September 30           | 254,273                    |   | 25.0% |   | 217,932 |   | 25.0% |   | 189,667 |   | 25.0% |   |
| December 31            | 279,799                    |   | 27.6% |   | 230,424 |   | 26.5% |   | 206,213 |   | 27.2% |   |
| Total for Year         | $1,015,333                 |   | 100.0% |   | $869,508 |   | 100.0% |   | $757,764 |   | 100.0% |   |
|                        |                            |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

 

**Results of Operations**

 

The following table sets forth the percentage relationship of certain statement of income data to revenue for the periods indicated: 

 

|                                         | **Year Ended December 31,** |
|----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|
|                                         | **2008**                    |   | **2007** |   | **2006** |
| Revenue                                      | 100.0%                      |   | 100.0% |   | 100.0% |
| Cost of educational services                 | 37.8%                       |   | 41.3% |   | 47.1% |
| Student services and administrative expenses | 29.9%                       |   | 30.9% |   | 28.9% |
| Operating income                             | 32.3%                       |   | 27.8% |   | 24.0% |
| Interest income, net                         | 0.2%                        |   | 0.3% |   | 1.0% |
| Income before income taxes                   | 32.5%                       |   | 28.1% |   | 25.0% |

 

The following table sets forth our total student enrollment as of the dates indicated:

 

|                   |   | **Total Student** |   | **Increase Over** |
|------------------------|--------|-------------------|--------|-------------------|
| **As of December 31,** |   | **Enrollment**    |   | **Prior Year**    |
| 2008                   |   | 61,983            |   | 16.9%             |
| 2007                   |   | 53,027            |   | 13.1%             |
| 2006                   |   | 46,896            |   |    9.1% |

 

Total student enrollment includes all new and continuing students. A continuing student is any student who, in the academic quarter being measured, is enrolled in a program of study at an ITT Technical Institute and was enrolled in the same program at any ITT Technical Institute at the end of the immediately preceding academic quarter. A new student is any student        who, in the academic quarter being measured, enrolls in and begins attending any program of study at an ITT Technical Institute: 

 

| **•** | for the first time at that institute; |
|------------|---------------------------------------|

| **•** | after graduating in a prior academic quarter from a different program of study at that institute; or |
|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | after having withdrawn or been terminated from a program of study at that institute. |
|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

The following table sets forth our new student enrollment in the periods indicated:

 

|                        |   | **Total New Student** |   | **Increase Over** |
|-----------------------------|--------|-----------------------|--------|-------------------|
| **Year Ended December 31,** |   | **Enrollment**        |   | **Prior Year**    |
| 2008                        |   | 65,313                |   | 19.6%             |
| 2007                        |   | 54,593                |   |   9.3%       |
| 2006                        |   | 49,935                |   | 10.8%             |

 

We generally organize the academic schedule for programs of study offered at our institutes on the basis of four 12-week academic quarters in a calendar year that typically begin in early March, mid-June, early September and late November or early December. To measure the persistence of our students, the number of continuing students in any        academic quarter is divided by the total student enrollment in the immediately preceding academic quarter. 

 

| The following table sets forth the rates of our students’ persistence for the periods indicated: |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

| **Year** |   | **March 31** |   | **June 30** |   | **September 30** |   | **December 31** |
|----------|--------|--------------|--------|-------------|--------|------------------|--------|-----------------|
| 2008     |   | 76.1%        |   | 73.9%       |   | 72.5%            |   | 76.5%           |
| 2007     |   | 78.0%        |   | 74.7%       |   | 72.4%            |   | 77.3%           |
| 2006     |   | 75.8%        |   | 73.7%       |   | 71.2%            |   | 76.2%           |

 

 

- 35 -

 

 

 

Changes that we made to how we deliver certain program courses, primarily those courses taught either entirely or partially online over the Internet, have impacted our students’ persistence over the past several years.  Student retention is typically lower in the courses that we teach online over the Internet compared        to the courses that we teach in residence on campus. Our students’ persistence decreased as a result of teaching certain courses online over the Internet.  In the second quarter of 2006, we began modifying the academic qualifications for students to take online courses, which led to year-over-year improvements in our students’ persistence in each quarter of 2007 compared to the same quarter in 2006.  The decrease in our students’ persistence in the first        quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 was primarily due to a change in our 2008 academic calendar, which eliminated a break in classes in the first quarter of 2008 compared to the first quarter of 2007.  We believe that this change in the academic calendar resulted in approximately 500 additional student withdrawals occurring in the first quarter of 2008 than would have occurred if we had not changed the academic calendar. The decrease in our students’        persistence in the three months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 was primarily due to a higher number of students who graduated in the academic quarter that ended in March 2008 compared to the academic quarter that ended in March 2007. The decrease in our students’ persistence in the three months ended December 31, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 was primarily due to the increase in the number of students who graduated in the academic quarter that        ended in November 2008 compared to the academic quarter that ended in December 2007.

 

***Year Ended December 31, 2008 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2007.***Revenue increased $145.8 million, or 16.8%, to $1,015.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $869.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2007, primarily due to: 

 

| **•** | an average 12.5% increase in total student enrollment in each academic quarter beginning in 2008 compared to 2007; and |
|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | a 5.0% increase in tuition rates in March 2008. |
|------------|-------------------------------------------------|

 

The increase in student enrollment was primarily due to:

 

| **•** | student enrollment growth in programs of study and at locations that were in existence prior to 2007; |
|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | new programs of study offered by our institutes; and                                                  |   |
| **•** | operating new institutes.                                                                             |   |

 

Cost of educational services increased $25.2 million, or 7.0%, to $383.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $358.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2007, primarily due to: 

 

| **•** | increased costs associated with operating new institutes; and         |   |
|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | the costs required to service the increased total student enrollment. |

 

The increase in cost of educational services was partially offset by: 

 

| **•** | greater efficiencies in the operation of our institutes;                               |   |
|------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | lower amortization expense due to certain assets becoming fully amortized in 2007; and |
| **•** | decreased costs associated with decreased sales of laptop computers.                   |   |

 

Cost of educational services as a percentage of revenue decreased 350 basis points to 37.8 % in the year ended December 31, 2008 from 41.3% in the year ended December 31, 2007, primarily due to:

 

| **•** | greater efficiencies in the operation of our institutes;                   |   |
|------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | benefit costs increasing at a lower rate than the increase in revenue; and |
| **•** | decreased costs associated with decreased sales of laptop computers.       |   |

 

The decrease in cost of educational services as a percentage of revenue was partially offset by the costs associated with operating new institutes.

 

Student services and administrative expenses increased $34.8 million, or 12.9%, to $303.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $268.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2007. The principal causes of this increase included: 

 

| **•** | an increase in bad debt expense associated with increases in internal student financing;         |   |
|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | an increase in compensation and benefit costs associated with a greater number of employees; and |
| **•** | an increase in media advertising expenditures.                                                   |   |

 

The increase in student services and administrative expenses was partially offset by an increase in direct marketing costs that were capitalized.

 

Student services and administrative expenses decreased to 29.9% of revenue in the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 30.9% of revenue in the year ended December 31, 2007, primarily due to media advertising costs and benefits costs increasing at a lower rate than the increase in revenue. The decrease in student services and administrative        expenses as a percentage of revenue was partially offset by an increase in bad debt expense. Bad debt 

 

- 36 -

 

 

expense as a percentage of revenue increased to 4.3% in the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 2.1% in the year ended December 31, 2007, primarily as a result of increases in internal student financing.

 

Operating income increased $85.8 million, or 35.5%, to $327.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $242.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2007. The operating margin was 32.3% in the year ended December 31, 2008 and 27.8% in the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Interest income decreased $4.2 million, or 39.5%, to $6.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $10.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2007, primarily due to a decrease in investment returns in the overall market, a more conservative investment strategy and lower average investment balances. Interest expense decreased        $3.7 million, or 44.4%, to $4.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $8.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2007, primarily due to a decrease in the effective interest rate on our revolving credit facilities.

 

Our combined federal and state effective income tax rate was 38.4% in the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 38.0% in the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

***Year Ended December 31, 2007 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2006.***Revenue increased $111.7 million, or 14.7%, to $869.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to $757.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2006, primarily due to: 

 

| **•** | an average 11.0% increase in total student enrollment in each academic quarter beginning in 2007 compared to 2006; |
|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | a 5.0% increase in tuition rates in March 2007; and                                                  |   |
|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | an increase in our student persistence in each quarter in 2007 compared to the same quarter in 2006. |

 

The increase in revenue was partially offset by lower sales of laptop computers. The increase in student enrollment was primarily due to:

 

| **•** | operating new institutes and learning sites; and                        |   |
|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | an increased number of new programs of study offered by our institutes. |

 

Cost of educational services increased $1.7 million, or 0.5%, to $358.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to $356.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2006, primarily due to: 

 

| **•** | increased costs associated with operating new institutes and learning sites; and |
|------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | the costs required to service the increased total student enrollment.            |   |

 

Most of the increase in cost of educational services was offset by: 

 

| **•** | greater efficiencies in the operation of our institutes; and         |   |
|------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | decreased costs associated with decreased sales of laptop computers. |

 

Cost of educational services as a percentage of revenue decreased 580 basis points to 41.3% in the year ended December 31, 2007 from 47.1% in the year ended December 31, 2006, primarily due to operating efficiencies arising from the utilization of existing facilities to accommodate increases in resident student enrollment resulting from the        modifications made to the Hybrid Delivery Model. In addition, improved student persistence resulted in increased revenue without a corresponding increase in costs. The decrease in cost of educational services as a percentage of revenue was partially offset by the costs associated with operating new institutes and learning sites.

 

Student services and administrative expenses increased $49.1 million, or 22.3%, to $268.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to $219.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2006. The principal causes of this increase included: 

 

| **•** | a 20.9% increase in media advertising expenses to promote new locations and program offerings;   |   |
|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | an increase in compensation and benefit costs associated with a greater number of employees; and |
| **•** | an increase in bad debt expense.                                                                 |   |

 

Student services and administrative expenses increased to 30.9% of revenue in the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to 29.0% of revenue in the year ended December 31, 2006, primarily due to an increase in media advertising costs for the promotion of new institutes and programs and an increase in bad debt expense. Bad debt expense as a        percentage of revenue increased to 2.1% in the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to 1.4% in the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

Operating income increased $60.5 million, or 33.3%, to $242.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to $181.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2006. The operating margin was 27.8% in the year ended December 31, 2007 and 24.0% in the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

 

- 37 -

 

 

 

Interest income increased $2.3 million, or 27.3%, to $10.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to $8.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2006. Interest expense increased $8.0 million to $8.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to $0.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2006 primarily due to borrowing        under our revolving credit agreement.

 

Our combined federal and state effective income tax rate was 38.0% in the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to 37.5% in the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

**Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources**

 

Cash and cash equivalents were $226.3 million as of December 31, 2008 compared to $7.2 million as of December 31, 2007. We also had investments in marketable securities of $138.7 million as of December 31, 2008 compared to $303.4 million as of December 31, 2007. The increase in our cash and cash equivalents and the decrease in our investments        were primarily due to the execution of a revised investment strategy focused on liquidity in response to uncertainty in the capital markets. In total, our cash and cash equivalents and investments were $365.0 million as of December 31, 2008 compared to $310.6 million as of December 31, 2007. The total amount of cash and cash equivalents and investments as of December 31, 2008 was negatively impacted by a decrease in funds received from private education loans made to our students by        third-party lenders, which led us to increase the amount of our internal student financing. This negative impact was offset by a decrease in the amount spent to repurchase shares of our common stock in 2008 compared to 2007.

 

We are required to recognize the funded status of our defined benefit postretirement plans on our balance sheet. We recorded a liability of $1.1 million for the ESI Pension Plan, a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan commonly referred to as a cash balance plan, and a liability of $0.7 million for the ESI Excess Pension Plan, a        nonqualified, unfunded retirement plan, on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2008. In order to determine those amounts, we performed an actuarial valuation of the ESI Pension Plan and ESI Excess Pension Plan (the "Pension Plans"), and reviewed and updated our key assumptions as part of each valuation, including the discount rate and expected long-term rate of return on the investments.

 

Effective March 31, 2006, the benefit accruals under the Pension Plans were frozen, such that no further benefits accrue under those plans after March 31, 2006. Participants in the Pension Plans, however, continue to be credited with vesting service and interest according to the terms of the Pension Plans. Total pension benefit in the year        ended December 31, 2008 was $0.6 million, including a $1.5 million settlement loss, compared to a pension benefit of $1.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2007. Total pension expense was $0.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2006, including a $0.7 million curtailment gain. In 2009, we expect our pension expense to be approximately $1.6 million.

 

In 2008, we contributed $1.3 million to the ESI Excess Pension Plan and made no contributions to the ESI Pension Plan. No contributions were made to either Pension Plan in 2007 and we do not expect to make any contributions to either of the Pension Plans in 2009.

 

See Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a more detailed discussion of the Pension Plans.

 

***Capital Resources.***Our cash flows are highly dependent upon the receipt of Title IV Program funds. In 2008 and 2007, we indirectly derived our revenue, determined on an accrual basis of accounting, from the following sources:

 

|                                          | **Percent** |
|-----------------------------------------------|-------------|
| **Source of funds**                           | **2008**    |   | **2007** |
| Title IV Programs                             | 73%         |   | 63% |
| Internal student financing                    | 10%         |   | -- |
| Unaffiliated, private education loan programs | 8%          |   | 29% |
| Other                                         | 9%          |   | 8% |
| Total                                         | 100%        |   | 100% |

 

On a cash accounting basis, as defined by the ED’s regulations, we indirectly derived approximately 72% of our revenue from Title IV Programs in 2008 compared to 61% in 2007 and 57% in 2006.

 

Under a provision of the HEA commonly referred to as the “90/10” Rule, a for-profit institution, such as each of our campus groups, must not derive more than 90% of its applicable revenue in a fiscal year, on a cash accounting basis, from Title IV Programs. If an institution exceeds the 90% threshold for any single fiscal year,        that institution would be placed on provisional certification status for the institution’s following two fiscal years. In addition, if an institution exceeds the 90% threshold for two consecutive fiscal years, it would be ineligible to participate in Title IV Programs as of the first day of the following fiscal year and would be unable to apply to regain its eligibility until the 

 

- 38 -

 

 

end of the second subsequent fiscal year. In our 2008 and 2007 fiscal years, none of our campus groups derived more than approximately 75% of its revenue, on a cash accounting basis, from Title IV Programs.

 

Currently, under the HEA, an institution may also lose its eligibility to participate in some or all Title IV Programs if the rates at which the institution’s students default on their federal student loans exceed specified percentages. An institution whose FFEL/FDL cohort default rate is 25% or greater for three consecutive federal        fiscal years or greater than 40% for one federal fiscal year loses its eligibility to participate in certain Title IV Programs for at least two federal fiscal years. The following table sets forth the range of our campus groups’ FFEL/FDL cohort default rates for the federal fiscal years indicated:

 

| **Federal Fiscal Year** | **FFEL/FDL Cohort****Default Rate Range** |                                                                                           |
|-------------------------|-------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|                    | 2007 (a)                                  | 9.7% to 15.3%                                                                                  |   |
|                    | 2006 (b)                                  | 5.5% to 12.9%                                                                                  |   |
|                    | 2005                                      | 5.9% to 12.6%                                                                                  |   |
|                    | 2004                                      |                                                                                           | 5.8% to 12.7% |   |
|                    | (a)                                       | The most recent year for which the ED has published FFEL/FDL preliminary cohort default rates. |
|                    | (b)                                       | The most recent year for which the ED has published FFEL/FDL official cohort default rates.    |
|                         |                                           |                                                                                                |  |  |  |  |

 

See “Risk Factors – Risks Related to our Highly Regulated Industry– *One or more of our institutes may lose its eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs, if its student loan default rates are too high*.”        

 

Federal regulations affect the timing of our receipt and disbursements of Title IV Program funds. These regulations require institutions to disburse all Title IV Program funds by payment period. For our institutes, the payment period is an academic quarter. Prior to February 2006, institutions were not allowed to disburse the first installment        of an FFEL or FDL program loan to a first-year undergraduate student who was a first-time borrower until 30 days after the student began his or her course of study. Beginning in February 2006, this 30-day period was eliminated for institutions whose FFEL/FDL cohort default rates are less than 10% for the three most recent federal fiscal years for which the ED has published those rates. The majority of our campus groups satisfied this requirement in 2008, 2007 and 2006. We continued to        disburse Title IV Program funds to other students ten days before the start of each academic quarter.

 

***Operations.***Cash from operating activities decreased $5.3 million to $173.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $178.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2007, primarily due to a decrease in funds received from private education loans made to our students by third-party lenders and        higher income tax payments. The decrease in cash from operating activities was partially offset by increases in operating income and certain Title IV Program loan funds.

 

Accounts receivable less allowance for doubtful accounts was $29.8 million as of December 31, 2008 compared to $15.1 million as of December 31, 2007. Days sales outstanding increased 3.8 days to 9.8 days at December 31, 2008 compared to 6.0 days at December 31, 2007. Both increases were primarily due to increases in internal student financing        resulting from the reduction in the availability of third-party private education loans for our students.

 

In the year ended December 31, 2007, cash from operating activities increased $14.4 million to $178.3 million compared to $163.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2006, primarily due to an increase in net income which was partially offset by delays in the receipt of certain student loan funds.

 

| ***Investing.***In the year ended December 31, 2008, we spent $18.1 million: |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

| **•** | to renovate, expand or construct buildings at 19 of our locations totaling $9.8 million; |
|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | to purchase two facilities for $6.8 million; and                                         |   |
| **•** | to purchase one parcel of land for $1.5 million on which we built a facility.            |   |

 

| In the year ended December 31, 2007, we spent $12.6 million: |
|--------------------------------------------------------------|

 

| **•** | to renovate, expand or construct buildings at 15 of our locations totaling $7.0 million; |
|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | to purchase two facilities for $4.1 million; and                                         |   |
| **•** | to purchase one parcel of land for $1.5 million on which we built a facility.            |   |

 

| In the year ended December 31, 2006, we spent $18.9 million: |
|--------------------------------------------------------------|

 

| **•** | to renovate, expand or construct buildings at 12 of our locations totaling $17.4 million; and |
|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | to purchase one parcel of land for $1.5 million on which we built a facility.                 |   |

 

 

- 39 -

 

 

 

Capital expenditures, excluding facility and land purchases and facility construction, totaled $17.5 million in 2008, $15.5 million in 2007 and $23.7 million in 2006. These expenditures consisted primarily of classroom and laboratory equipment (such as computers and electronic equipment), classroom and office furniture, software and leasehold        improvements. We plan to continue to upgrade and expand current facilities and equipment during 2009. Cash generated from operations is expected to be sufficient to fund our capital expenditure requirements.

 

***Financing.***On December 17, 2007, we entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with a single lender (the “Lender”) to borrow up to $160.0 million under two revolving credit facilities: one in the maximum principal amount of $50 million; and the        other in the maximum principal amount of $110 million. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are used to allow us to continue repurchasing shares of our common stock while maintaining compliance with certain financial ratios required by the ED, SAs and the ACICS. 

 

Both revolving credit facilities under the Credit Agreement mature on July 1, 2010. The borrowings under each credit facility may be secured or unsecured at our election, provided that we have not defaulted under the Credit Agreement, in which case, any borrowings made on a secured basis must remain secured. Cash equivalents and investments        held in a pledged account serve as the collateral for any secured borrowings under the Credit Agreement. 

 

The Credit Agreement contains, among other things, covenants, representations and warranties and events of default customary for credit facilities. The availability of borrowings under the Credit Agreement is subject to our ability at the time of borrowing to satisfy certain specified conditions. These conditions include the absence of default        by us, as defined in the Credit Agreement, and that certain representations and warranties contained in the Credit Agreement continue to be true and accurate. We are also required to maintain a certain maximum leverage ratio and a minimum ratio of cash and investments to outstanding indebtedness at the end of each of our fiscal quarters. We were in compliance with those ratio requirements as of December 31, 2008.

 

Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate (the “LIBOR”), plus an applicable margin based on our indebtedness to net worth ratio, adjusted quarterly. We pay a commitment fee of 0.15% per annum of the average daily unused amount of the credit facilities. As of December 31, 2008, the        borrowings under the Credit Agreement were $150.0 million, all of which were secured, and bore interest at a rate of 0.59% per annum. Approximately $158.0 million of our investments and cash equivalents served as collateral for the secured borrowings as of December 31, 2008.

 

Our Board of Directors has authorized us to repurchase shares of our common stock in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions in accordance with Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act. Pursuant to the Board’s stock repurchase authorization, we plan to repurchase additional shares of our common stock from time to time in the        future depending on market conditions and other considerations.

 

| The following table sets forth our share repurchase activity during 2008, 2007 and 2006: |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

|                                            |   | **Year Ended December 31,** |
|-------------------------------------------------|--------|-----------------------------|
|                                            |   | **2008**                    |   | **2007** |   | **2006** |
| Repurchase authorization at beginning of period |   | 5,021,800                   |   | 2,681,100 |   | 3,287,700 |
| Additional repurchase authorization             |   | --                          |   | 5,000,000 |   | 5,000,000 |
| Number of shares repurchased                    |   | (1,049,700)                 |   | (2,659,300) |   | (5,606,600) |
| Repurchase authorization at end of period       |   | 3,972,100                   |   | 5,021,800 |   | 2,681,100 |
|                                            |   |                        |   |   |   |   |
| Total cost of shares repurchased (in millions)  |   | $87.8                       |   | $265.0 |   | $363.0 |
| Average cost per share                          |   | $83.62                      |   | $99.65 |   | $64.74 |

 

From January 30, 2009 through February 13, 2009, we repurchased 263,300 outstanding shares of our common stock pursuant to our existing repurchase authorization at a total cost of $33.4 million or at an average cost per share of $126.90.

 

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options were $3.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $31.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2007 and $23.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2006. Excess tax benefits from the exercise of stock options were $1.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $37.5        million in the year ended December 31, 2007 and $14.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

We believe that cash generated from operations and our investments will be adequate to satisfy our working capital and capital expenditure requirements for the foreseeable future. We also believe that any reduction in cash and cash equivalents or investments that may result from their use to repurchase shares of our common stock, purchase        facilities or construct facilities will not have a material adverse effect on our expansion plans, planned capital expenditures, ability to meet any applicable regulatory financial responsibility standards or ability to conduct normal operations.

 

 

- 40 -

 

 

 

***Student Financing Update*****.**As previously disclosed, primarily as a result of tighter credit markets, in 2008 we provided increased internal financing to our students who failed to qualify for private education loans made by third-party lenders. This led to increases in our bad        debt expense as a percentage of revenue and days sales outstanding, and a decrease in our cash flows from operating activities, in 2008 as compared to 2007.

 

We intend to continue providing internal financing to our students who fail to qualify for private education loans made by third-party lenders in 2009. We may also enter into additional risk sharing or other guarantee arrangements with third-party lenders in order to help our students qualify for private education loans from those third-party        lenders. We believe that the amount of internal student financing that we may need to provide to our students in 2009 will be approximately $75 million, based on:

 

| **•** | the increased amount of grants, loans and other federal financial aid that will be available to our students under the Title IV Programs in 2009 under the Continued Access Act and the American Recovery Act; and |
|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | the information that we have obtained to date regarding the current underwriting standards used by the lenders that offer private education loans to our students. |
|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

As a result, we believe that days sales outstanding in 2009 will range from 15 to 20 days and bad debt expense as a percentage of revenue in 2009 will be in the range of 4% to 6%.

 

In our experience so far in 2009, lenders have continued to make Title IV Program loans to our students. We have, however, prepared our institutes in the event that our students need to access the FDL programs for Title IV Program loans in the future. 

 

**Contractual Obligations**

 

| The following table sets forth the specified contractual obligations as of December 31, 2008: |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

|                                                              |   | **Payments Due by Period** |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|----------------------------|
|                                                              |   |                       |   | **Less than** |   | **1-3** |   | **3-5** |   | **More than** |
| **Contractual Obligations**                                       |   | **Total**                  |   | **1 Year** |   | **Years** |   | **Years** |   | **5 Years** |
|                                                              |   | **(In thousands)**         |
| Operating lease obligations                                       |   | $162,705                   |   | $36,456 |   | $58,699 |   | $42,042 |   | $25,508 |
| Long-term debt, including   scheduled interest payments |   | $151,326                   |   | $884 |   | $150,442 |   | $-- |   | $-- |
| Total                                                             |   | $314,031                   |   | $37,340 |   | $209,141 |   | $42,042 |   | $25,508 |

 

The long-term debt represents our revolving credit facilities under the Restated Credit Agreement and assumes that the $150.0 million outstanding balance under the facilities as of December 31, 2008 will be outstanding at all times through the date of maturity. The amounts shown include the principal payments that will be due upon maturity as        well as interest payments and commitment fees. Interest payments have been calculated based on their scheduled payment dates using the interest rate charged on our borrowings as of December 31, 2008.

 

**Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements**

 

As of December 31, 2008, we leased our non-owned facilities under operating lease agreements. A majority of the operating leases contain renewal options that can be exercised after the initial lease term. Renewal options are generally for periods of one to five years. All operating leases will expire over the next 15 years and management        believes that:

 

| **•** | those leases will be renewed or replaced by other leases in the normal course of business; |
|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | we may purchase the facilities represented by those leases; or                             |   |
| **•** | we may purchase or build other replacement facilities.                                     |   |

 

There are no material restrictions imposed by the lease agreements, and we have not entered into any significant guarantees related to the leases. We are required to make additional payments under the terms of certain operating leases for taxes, insurance and other operating expenses incurred during the operating lease period.

 

As part of our normal course of operations, one of our insurers issues surety bonds for us that are required by various education authorities that regulate us. We are obligated to reimburse our insurer for any of those surety bonds that are paid by the insurer. As of December 31, 2008, the total face amount of those surety bonds was        approximately $19.7 million.

 

In October 2007, we entered into a risk sharing agreement (“RSA”) with an unaffiliated lender for private education loans to be provided to our students by or through that lender to help pay the students’ cost of education that student financial aid from federal, state and other sources did not cover. Under the RSA, if more        than a certain 

 

- 41 -

 

 

percentage of those private education loans, based on dollar volume, are charged off by the lender, we guarantee the repayment of any private education loans that the lender charges off above that percentage. The RSA was terminated effective February 22, 2008, such that no private education loans will be made under the RSA after that date. Our recorded liability        related to the RSA as of December 31, 2008 was not material. Based on the prior repayment history of our students with respect to private education loans, we do not believe that our guarantee obligation under the RSA will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. See Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the RSA.

 

| **Item 7A.** | **Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.** |
|--------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|

 

In the normal course of our business, we are subject to fluctuations in interest rates that could impact the return on our investments and the cost of our financing activities. Our primary interest rate risk exposure results from changes in short-term interest rates and the LIBOR.

 

Our investments consist primarily of government and government agency obligations, marketable debt securities and variable rate demand notes. We estimate that the market risk associated with these investments can best be measured by a potential decrease in the fair value of these investments from a hypothetical 10% increase in interest rates.        If such a hypothetical increase in rates were to occur, the reduction in the market value of our portfolio of marketable securities would not be material.

 

Changes in the LIBOR would affect the borrowing costs associated with our revolving credit facilities. We estimate that the market risk can best be measured by a hypothetical 100 basis point increase in the LIBOR. If such a hypothetical increase in the LIBOR were to occur, the effect on results from operations and cash flow would not have been        material for the year ended December 31, 2008. 

 

| **Item 8.** | **Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.** |
|-------------|--------------------------------------------------|

 

| The information required by this Item appears on pages F-1 through F-25 of this Annual Report. |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

| **Item 9.** | **Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.** |
|-------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

| Not applicable. |
|-----------------|

 

| **Item 9A.** | **Controls and Procedures.** |
|--------------|------------------------------|

 

**Disclosure Controls and Procedures**

 

We are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (“DCP”) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports filed or submitted by us under the Exchange Act is: (a) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the        SEC’s rules and forms; and (b) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. In designing and evaluating our DCP, we recognize that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and implemented, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and that our management’s duties require it to make its best        judgment regarding the design of our DCP. As of December 31, 2008, we conducted an evaluation, under the supervision (and with the participation) of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our DCP pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our DCP were effective as of December 31,        2008.

 

**Internal Control Over Financial Reporting**

 

***Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.***Our management’s report on internal control over financial reporting appears on page F-1 of this Annual Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The effectiveness of our internal control over our financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act, (“ICFR”) as of December 31, 2008 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report dated February 18, 2009, which appears        on page F-2 of this Annual Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

***Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.***There were no changes in our ICFR that occurred during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our ICFR.

 

 

| **Item 9B.** | **Other Information.** |
|--------------|------------------------|

 

| Not applicable. |
|-----------------|

 

 

 

- 42 -

 

 

 

**PART III**

 

| **Item 10.** | **Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.** |
|--------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|

 

The information required by this Item concerning our audit committee members and financial expert, code of ethics and disclosure of delinquent Section 16 filers is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A within        120 days after the end of our last fiscal year.

 

The following is the current biographical information with respect to our directors, our nominees for director and our executive officers. Unless otherwise specified, the occupation of each individual has been the same for the past five years.

 

Kevin M. Modany, age 42, has served as our Chairman since February 2008 and as our Chief Executive Officer since April 2007. He has also served as our President since April 2005. From April 2005 through March 2007, Mr. Modany also served as our Chief Operating Officer. From January 2003 through May 2005, he served as our Chief Financial        Officer. From July 2002 through April 2005, Mr. Modany served as a Senior Vice President of ours. Mr. Modany has been a Director of ours since July 2006.

 

John F. Cozzi, age 47, has served as a managing director of AEA Investors LP, a private equity firm, since January 2004. Mr. Cozzi has been a Director of ours since October 2003.

 

John E. Dean, age 58, is an attorney who has specialized in higher education law since April 1985. Mr. Dean has been a partner at the Law Offices of John E. Dean since June 2005. He was a partner of the Dean Blakey law firm from June 2002 through May 2005. Mr. Dean has also served as a principal of Washington Partners, LLC, a public affairs        firm, since June 2002. Mr. Dean has been a Director of ours since December 1994.

 

James D. Fowler, Jr., age 64, served as senior vice president and director, human resources of ITT Industries, Inc., an industrial, commercial machinery and equipment company now known as ITT Corporation, from November 2000 until his retirement in October 2002. Mr. Fowler has been a Director of ours since April        1994.

 

Joanna T. Lau, age 50, has served as chairperson and chief executive officer of Lau Acquisition Corporation (doing business as LAU Technologies), a management consulting and investment firm, since March 1990. She is also a director of DSW Inc. Ms. Lau has been a Director of ours since October 2003.

 

Samuel L. Odle, age 59, has served as president and chief executive officer of Methodist Hospital (“MH”) and Indiana University Hospital (“IUH”) and executive vice president of Clarian Health Partners (“Clarian”), an Indianapolis-based private, non-profit healthcare organization comprised of MH, IUH and        Riley Hospital for Children, since July 2004. Mr. Odle served as chief administrative officer of MH and senior vice president of Clarian from January 1997 through June 2004. Mr. Odle has been a Director of ours since January 2006.

 

Vin Weber, age 56, has been a partner at Clark & Weinstock Inc. (“C&W”), a management and public policy consulting firm, since 1994 and the chief executive officer of C&W since 2007. He is also a director of Lenox Group, Inc. Mr. Weber has been a Director of ours since December 1994.

 

John A. Yena, age 68, has served as chairman of the board of Johnson & Wales University (“J&W”), a postsecondary educational institution, since June 2004. Mr. Yena served as president and chief executive officer of J&W from June 1989 through May 2004. He is also a director of Bancorp Rhode Island, Inc. Mr. Yena has been        a Director of ours since May 2006.

 

David E. Catalano, age 43, has served as our Senior Vice President, Business Development since November 2007. Mr. Catalano served as chief executive officer of Midwest Bankers Holdings, Inc., a commercial lending and advisory firm, from September 1996 through October 2007.

 

Jeffrey R. Cooper, age 57, has served as our Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer since November 2004. Mr. Cooper served as vice president of Great American Financial Resources, Inc. (“GAFRI”), the annuity and life insurance operations of American Financial Group, from June 1999 through October 2004, and as chief        compliance officer of GAFRI from June 1997 through October 2004.

 

Clark D. Elwood, age 48, has served as a Senior Vice President of ours since December 1996, as our Secretary since October 1992 and as our General Counsel since May 1991.

 

Nina F. Esbin, age 52, has served as our Senior Vice President, Human Resources since January 2004.

 

Eugene W. Feichtner, age 53, has served as our Senior Vice President, Operations since March 2004. From March 2002 through February 2004, he served as our Vice President, National Operations Director.

 

 

- 43 -

 

 

 

Daniel M. Fitzpatrick, age 49, has served as our Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer since June 2005. From July 1998 through May 2005, he served as senior vice president and controller of Education Management Corporation, a provider of postsecondary education.

 

June M. McCormack, age 59, has served as our President, Online Division since May 2008. Ms. McCormack served as executive vice president, servicing, information technology and sales marketing of SLM Corporation (“SLM”) from October 2005 through December 2007, as executive vice president, servicing and sales marketing of SLM from        June 2004 through September 2005, and as executive vice president guarantor services and sales marketing from April 2001 through May 2004.

 

Glenn E. Tanner, age 61, has served as Senior Vice President, Marketing since April 2007. From October 2002 through March 2007, he served as our Vice President, Marketing.

 

Martin Van Buren, age 41, has served as our Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer since April 2008. From January 2004 through March 2008, he served as our Vice President, Information Technology.

 

| **Item 11.** | **Executive Compensation.** |
|--------------|-----------------------------|

 

The information required by this Item concerning remuneration of our executive officers and directors, material transactions involving such executive officers and directors and Compensation Committee interlocks, as well as the Compensation Committee Report, are incorporated herein by reference to our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2009        Annual Meeting of Shareholders which will be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of our last fiscal year.

 

| **Item 12.** | **Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.** |
|--------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

The information required by this Item concerning the stock ownership of management, five percent beneficial owners and securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which will be filed with the SEC pursuant to        Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of our last fiscal year.

 

| **Item 13.** | **Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.** |
|--------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

The information required by this Item concerning certain relationships and related person transactions, and director independence is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which will be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of our last        fiscal year.

 

| **Item 14.** | **Principal Accountant Fees and Services.** |
|--------------|---------------------------------------------|

 

The information required by this Item concerning the fees and services of our independent registered public accounting firm and our Audit Committee actions with respect thereto is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which will be filed with the SEC pursuant to        Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of our last fiscal year.

 

 

- 44 -

 

 

 

**PART IV**

 

| **Item 15.** | **Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.** |
|--------------|-------------------------------------------------|

 

| 1. | Financial Statements: |
|----|-----------------------|

 

| **Page No. In** |
|-----------------|

**This Filing** 

 

| Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting                                                  | F-1    |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm                                                                 | F-2    |
| Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2008 and 2007                                                            | F-3    |
| Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006                                  | F-4    |
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006                              | F-5    |
| Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31,    2008, 2007 and 2006 | F-6    |
| Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                                                                              | F-7    |
|                                                                                                                    |   |

 

| 2. | Financial Statement Schedules: |
|----|--------------------------------|

 

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 appear on page F-24 of this Annual Report.

 

| 3. | Quarterly Financial Results for 2008 and 2007 (unaudited) appear on page F-25 of this Annual Report. |
|----|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

| 4. | Exhibits: |
|----|-----------|

 

A list of exhibits required to be filed as part of this report is set forth in the Index to Exhibits appearing on pages S-2 through S-4 of this Annual Report, which immediately precedes such exhibits, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

- 45 -

 

 

 

**Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting**

 

We are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over our financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act (“ICFR”). Our ICFR is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial        statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:

 

| **•** | pertain to the maintenance of our records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and asset dispositions;                                                                 |
|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | provide reasonable assurance that our transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;            |
| **•** | provide reasonable assurance that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and Board of Directors (as appropriate); and                       |
| **•** | provide reasonable assurance regarding the prevention or timely detection of any unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements. |

 

Reasonable assurance, as defined in Section 13(b)(7) of the Exchange Act, is the level of detail and degree of assurance that would satisfy prudent officials in the conduct of their own affairs in devising and maintaining a system of internal accounting controls.

 

Due to its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. In addition, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or        procedures may deteriorate.

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we assessed the effectiveness of our ICFR as of December 31, 2008. Our assessment included extensive documenting, evaluating and testing of the design and operating effectiveness of our ICFR. In making        this assessment, our management used the criteria for *Internal Control-Integrated Framework*set forth by The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. These criteria are in the areas of control environment, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication, and monitoring. Based on our assessment using these criteria, our management concluded that we maintained effective ICFR as of December 31,        2008.

 

The effectiveness of our ICFR as of December 31, 2008 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its accompanying report.

 

 

 

| F - 1 |
|-------|

 

 

 

**Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm**

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

ITT Educational Services, Inc.:

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statementslisted in the index appearing under Item 15.1present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of ITT Educational Services, Inc. and its subsidiariesat December 31, 2008and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,        2008 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15.2 presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of        December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in *Internal Control – Integrated Framework*issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over        financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing on page F-1. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that        we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and        evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our        audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

 

As described in Notes 9 and 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for employee pension benefits in 2008 and 2006 and uncertain tax positions in 2007.

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those        policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations        of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may        deteriorate.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Indianapolis, Indiana

February 18, 2009

 

 

 

| F - 2 |
|-------|

 

 

 

 

| **ITT EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, INC.**                                                    |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS**                                                       |
| **(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)**                                     |
|                                                                                  |   |   |   |
|                                                                                  | **As of December 31,** |
|                                                                                  | **2008** |   | **2007** |
| **Assets**                                                                            |   |   |   |
| Current assets:                                                                       |   |   |   |
| Cash and cash equivalents                                                             | $226,255 |   | $7,228 |
| Short-term investments                                                                | 138,709 |   | 303,360 |
| Restricted cash                                                                       | 10,405 |   | 6,061 |
| Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $16,064 and $5,378       | 29,779 |   | 15,132 |
| Deferred income taxes                                                                 | 12,104 |   | 7,418 |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                             | 13,793 |   | 10,624 |
| Total current assets                                                                  | 431,045 |   | 349,823 |
|                                                                                  |   |   |   |
| Property and equipment, net                                                           | 166,671 |   | 153,265 |
| Direct marketing costs, net                                                           | 22,973 |   | 20,567 |
| Other assets                                                                          | 3,170 |   | 17,298 |
| Total assets                                                                          | $623,859 |   | $540,953 |
|                                                                                  |   |   |   |
| **Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity**                                        |   |   |   |
| Current liabilities:                                                                  |   |   |   |
| Accounts payable                                                                      | $54,815 |   | $45,120 |
| Accrued compensation and benefits                                                     | 21,133 |   | 16,137 |
| Accrued income taxes                                                                  | 14,976 |   | 6,028 |
| Other current liabilities                                                             | 11,423 |   | 11,512 |
| Deferred revenue                                                                      | 162,206 |   | 213,127 |
| Total current liabilities                                                             | 264,553 |   | 291,924 |
|                                                                                  |   |   |   |
| Long-term debt                                                                        | 150,000 |   | 150,000 |
| Deferred income taxes                                                                 | 1,504 |   | 11,754 |
| Other liabilities                                                                     | 19,951 |   | 16,717 |
| Total liabilities                                                                     | 436,008 |   | 470,395 |
| Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 10)                                      | -- |   | -- |
| Shareholders' equity:                                                                 |   |   |   |
| Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, none issued             | -- |   | -- |
| Common stock, $.01 par value, 300,000,000 shares authorized, 54,068,904               |   |   |   |
| issued                                                                                | 541 |   | 541 |
| Capital surplus                                                                       | 135,655 |   | 127,017 |
| Retained earnings                                                                     | 732,107 |   | 531,363 |
| Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)                                                | (13,384) |   | (3,417) |
| Treasury stock, 15,352,376 and 14,375,582 shares, at cost                             | (667,068) |   | (584,946) |
| Total shareholders’ equity                                                      | 187,851 |   | 70,558 |
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity                                      | $623,859 |   | $540,953 |
|                                                                                  |   |   |   |
|                                                                                  |   |   |   |
| The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. |

 

 

 

| F - 3 |
|-------|

 

 

 

 

| **ITT EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, INC.**                                                    |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME**                                                 |
| **(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)**                                     |
|                                                                                  |
|                                                                                  |   |   |   |   |   |
|                                                                                  |   |   |   |
|                                                                                  | **Year Ended December 31,** |
|                                                                                  | **2008** |   | **2007** |   | **2006** |
| **Revenue**                                                                           | $1,015,333 |   | $869,508 |   | $757,764 |
| **Costs and expenses:**                                                               |   |   |   |   |   |
| Cost of educational services                                                          | 383,769 |   | 358,601 |   | 356,851 |
| Student services and administrative expenses                                          | 303,693 |   | 268,876 |   | 219,390 |
| Total costs and expenses                                                              | 687,462 |   | 627,477 |   | 576,241 |
| **Operating income**                                                                  | 327,871 |   | 242,031 |   | 181,523 |
| Interest income                                                                       | 6,505 |   | 10,747 |   | 8,444 |
| Interest (expense)                                                                    | (4,611) |   | (8,292) |   | (340) |
| Income before provision for income taxes                                              | 329,765 |   | 244,486 |   | 189,627 |
| Provision for income taxes                                                            | 126,793 |   | 92,894 |   | 71,111 |
| **Net income**                                                                        | $202,972 |   | $151,592 |   | $118,516 |
| **Earnings per share:**                                                               |   |   |   |   |   |
| Basic                                                                                 | $5.22 |   | $3.77 |   | $2.77 |
| Diluted                                                                               | $5.17 |   | $3.71 |   | $2.72 |
| **Weighted average shares outstanding:**                                              |   |   |   |   |   |
| Basic                                                                                 | 38,881 |   | 40,268 |   | 42,722 |
| Diluted                                                                               | 39,243 |   | 40,883 |   | 43,629 |
|                                                                                  |   |   |   |   |   |
|                                                                                  |   |   |   |   |   |
|                                                                                  |   |   |   |   |   |
|                                                                                  |   |   |   |   |   |
|                                                                                  |   |   |   |   |   |
| The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. |

 

 

 

| F - 4 |
|-------|

 

 

 

 

| **ITT EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, INC.**                                                    |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| ****
****CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS****                                    |
| **(Dollars in thousands)**                                                            |
|                                                                                  |   |   |   |
|                                                                                  | **Year Ended December 31,** |
|                                                                                  | **2008** |   | **2007** |   | **2006** |
| **Cash flows from operating activities:**                                             |   |   |   |   |   |
| Net income                                                                            | $202,972 |   | $151,592 |   | $118,516 |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows                                 |   |   |   |   |   |
| from operating activities:                                                            |   |   |   |   |   |
| Depreciation and amortization                                                         | 22,230 |   | 23,249 |   | 21,641 |
| Provision for doubtful accounts                                                       | 43,286 |   | 18,599 |   | 10,862 |
| Deferred income taxes                                                                 | (8,450) |   | (6,737) |   | (1,906) |
| Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises                                        | (1,158) |   | (37,480) |   | (14,289) |
| Stock-based compensation expense                                                      | 7,235 |   | 5,100 |   | 3,067 |
| Pension settlement and amortization of prior service costs                            | 1,554 |   | -- |   | -- |
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                                          |   |   |   |   |   |
| Restricted cash                                                                       | (4,350) |   | (6,087) |   | (27) |
| Accounts receivable                                                                   | (57,933) |   | (24,364) |   | (6,240) |
| Direct marketing costs, net                                                           | (2,406) |   | 1,061 |   | (4,138) |
| Accounts payable                                                                      | 9,695 |   | (2,828) |   | (8,153) |
| Accrued income taxes                                                                  | 10,163 |   | 37,969 |   | 27,206 |
| Other operating assets and liabilities                                                | 1,042 |   | 7,252 |   | (9,390) |
| Deferred revenue                                                                      | (50,921) |   | 10,965 |   | 26,708 |
| Net cash flows from operating activities                                              | 172,959 |   | 178,291 |   | 163,857 |
| **Cash flows from investing activities:**                                             |   |   |   |   |   |
| Facility expenditures and land purchases                                              | (18,093) |   | (12,589) |   | (18,929) |
| Capital expenditures, net                                                             | (17,543) |   | (15,514) |   | (23,717) |
| Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments                                     | 1,085,559 |   | 1,963,447 |   | 1,637,322 |
| Purchase of investments                                                               | (920,480) |   | (2,071,800) |   | (1,434,639) |
| Net cash flows from investing activities                                              | 129,443 |   | (136,456) |   | 160,037 |
| **Cash flows from financing activities:**                                             |   |   |   |   |   |
| Proceeds from revolving borrowings                                                    | -- |   | -- |   | 150,000 |
| Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises                                        | 1,158 |   | 37,480 |   | 14,289 |
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options                                               | 3,241 |   | 31,002 |   | 22,960 |
| Repurchase of common stock                                                            | (87,774) |   | (264,994) |   | (362,973) |
| Net cash flows from financing activities                                              | (83,375) |   | (196,512) |   | (175,724) |
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents                                               | 219,027 |   | (154,677) |   | 148,170 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                      | 7,228 |   | 161,905 |   | 13,735 |
| **Cash and cash equivalents at end of period**                                        | $226,255 |   | $7,228 |   | $161,905 |
| Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:                                    |   |   |   |   |   |
| Cash paid during the period for:                                                      |   |   |   |   |   |
| Income taxes (net of refunds)                                                         | $123,223 |   | $59,624 |   | $43,898 |
| Interest                                                                              | $5,036 |   | $7,854 |   | $-- |
| Non-cash financing activities:                                                        |   |   |   |   |   |
| Issuance of treasury stock for Directors compensation                                 | $60 |   | $60 |   | $119 |
|                                                                                  |   |   |   |   |   |
| The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. |
|                                                                                       |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

 

 

 

| F - 5 |
|-------|

 

 

 

 

| **ITT EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, INC.**                                                    |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY**                                   |
| **(Dollars and shares in thousands)**                                                 |
|                                                                                  |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | **Accumulated** |   |   |   |   |   |   |
|                                                                                  |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | **Other** |   |   |   |   |   |   |
|                                                                                  |   | **Common Stock** |   | **Capital** |   | **Retained** |   | **Comprehensive** |   | **Common Stock in Treasury** |   |   |
|                                                                                  |   | **Shares** |   | **Amount** |   | **Surplus** |   | **Earnings** |   | **Income (Loss)** |   | **Shares** |   | **Amount** |   | **Total** |
| **Balance as of December 31, 2005**                                                   |   | 54,069 |   | $541 |   | $65,973 |   | $392,420 |   | ($6,016) |   | (8,378) |   | ($144,324) |   | $308,594 |
| Net income                                                                            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 118,516 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 118,516 |
| Other comprehensive income:                                                           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Minimum pension liability, net of $3,883 of income tax                                |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 6,016 |   |   |   |   |   | 6,016 |
| Comprehensive income                                                                  |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 124,532 |
| Adoption of SFAS No. 158, net of $4,215 of income tax                                 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | (6,533) |   |   |   |   |   | (6,533) |
| Exercise of stock options                                                             |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | (37,034) |   |   |   | 923 |   | 59,994 |   | 22,960 |
| Tax benefit from exercise of stock options                                            |   |   |   |   |   | 14,289 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 14,289 |
| Stock-based compensation                                                              |   |   |   |   |   | 3,067 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 3,067 |
| Common shares repurchased                                                             |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | (5,607) |   | (362,973) |   | (362,973) |
| Issuance of shares for Directors’ compensation                                  |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | (153) |   |   |   | 4 |   | 272 |   | 119 |
| Restricted stock awards and shares tendered for taxes                                 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | (1,901) |   |   |   | 29 |   | 1,791 |   | (110) |
| **Balance as of December 31, 2006**                                                   |   | 54,069 |   | 541 |   | 83,329 |   | 471,848 |   | (6,533) |   | (13,029) |   | (445,240) |   | 103,945 |
| Effect of adoption of FIN 48                                                          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 2,169 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 2,169 |
| **Balance as of January 1, 2007**                                                     |   |  54,069 |   | 541 |   | 83,329 |   | 474,017 |   | (6,533) |   | (13,029) |   | (445,240) |   | 106,114 |
| Net income                                                                            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 151,592 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 151,592 |
| Other comprehensive income:                                                           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Amortization of pension loss, net of $227 of income tax                               |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 351 |   |   |   |   |   | 351 |
| Net actuarial pension gain, net of $1,784 of income tax                               |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 2,765 |   |   |   |   |   | 2,765 |
| Comprehensive income                                                                  |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 154,708 |
| Exercise of stock options                                                             |   |   |   |   |   | (77) |   | (94,246) |   |   |   | 1,314 |   | 125,325 |   | 31,002 |
| Tax benefit from exercise of stock options                                            |   |   |   |   |   | 38,588 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 38,588 |
| Stock-based compensation                                                              |   |   |   |   |   | 5,100 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 5,100 |
| Common shares repurchased                                                             |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | (2,659) |   | (264,994) |   | (264,994) |
| Issuance of shares for Directors’ compensation                                  |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 1 |   | 60 |   | 60 |
| Restricted stock cancellations and shares tendered for taxes                          |   |   |   |   |   | 77 |   |   |   |   |   | (2) |   | (97) |   | (20) |
| **Balance as of December 31, 2007**                                                   |   | 54,069 |   | 541 |   | 127,017 |   | 531,363 |   | (3,417) |   | (14,375) |   | (584,946) |   | 70,558 |
| Net income                                                                            |   |   |   |   |   |   | 202,972 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 202,972 |
| Other comprehensive income:                                                           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Amortization of prior service cost, net of $10 of income tax                          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 17 |   |   |   |   |   | 17 |
| Net actuarial pension loss, net of $7,237 of income tax                               |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | (11,212) |   |   |   |   |   | (11,212) |
| Pension settlement loss, net of $599 of income tax                                    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 928 |   |   |   |   |   | 928 |
| Unrealized gain                                                                       |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 428 |   |   |   |   |   | 428 |
| Comprehensive income                                                                  |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 193,133 |
| Prior service costs, net of $83 of income tax                                         |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | (128) |   |   |   |   |   | (128) |
| Adoption of SFAS No. 158 change in pension measurement date,net of $210 of income tax |   |   |   |   |   |   | 325 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 325 |
| Exercise of stock options                                                             |   |   |   |   |   |   | (2,528) |   |   |   | 75 |   | 5,769 |   | 3,241 |
| Tax benefit from exercise of stock options                                            |   |   |   |   | 1,201 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 1,201 |
| Stock-based compensation                                                              |   |   |   |   | 7,235 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 7,235 |
| Common shares repurchased                                                             |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | (1,050) |   | (87,774) |   | (87,774) |
| Issuance of shares for Directors’ compensation                                  |   |   |   |   |   |   | (25) |   |   |   | 1 |   | 85 |   | 60 |
| Restricted stock cancellations                                                        |   |   |   |   | 202 |   |   |   |   |   | (3) |   | (202) |   | -- |
| **Balance as of December 31, 2008**                                                   | 54,069 |   | $541 |   | $135,655 |   | $732,107 |   | ($13,384) |   | (15,352) |   | ($667,068) |   | $187,851 |
|                                                                                  |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. |
|                                                                                       |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

 

 

 

F-6

 

 

 

**ITT EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, INC.**

**NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**

**(Dollars in thousands, except per share data and unless otherwise stated)**

 

 

| **1.** | **Business and Significant Accounting Policies** |
|--------|--------------------------------------------------|

 

***Business.***We are a leading for-profit provider of postsecondary education in the United States based on revenue and student enrollment. As of December 31, 2008, we were offering master, bachelor and associate degree programs to approximately 62,000 students and had 105 institutes and nine learning sites        located in 37 states. All of our institutes are authorized by the applicable educational authorities of the states in which they operate and are accredited by an accrediting commission recognized by the United States Department of Education (“ED”). We have provided career-oriented programs since 1969 under the “ITT Technical Institute” name. Our corporate headquarters are located in Carmel, Indiana. 

 

***Basis of Presentation*****.**The consolidated financial statements include our wholly-owned subsidiaries’ accounts and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). All significant intercompany        balances and transactions are eliminated upon consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made in the consolidated financial statements of prior years to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications have no impact on previously reported net income, total shareholders’ equity or cash flows.

 

***Use of Estimates.***The preparation of these consolidated financial statements, in accordance with GAAP, includes estimates and assumptions that are determined by our management. Actual results could differ materially from the estimates. Significant accounting estimates and assumptions are used for, but not        limited to: the allowance for doubtful accounts; useful lives of tangible and intangible assets; self insurance; pension liabilities; stock-based compensation; unrecognized tax benefits and litigation exposures.

 

***Cash Equivalents*****.**Highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are considered cash equivalents.

 

***Restricted Cash*****.**Title IV Program funds and certain other monies transferred to us by electronic funds transfer are subject to holding restrictions, generally from three to seven days, before they can be drawn into our cash account. The funds subject to these holding periods are        identified as restricted cash until they are applied to the students' accounts. In addition, a Maryland education regulation requires us to maintain an escrow account as a condition to operating our institute in Owings Mills, MD. The funds in this escrow account are considered restricted cash and classified as other assets. The balance of this escrow account was $559 as of December 31, 2008 and $553 as of December 31, 2007.

 

***Investments.***We classify our investments in marketable securities as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity depending on our investment intentions with regard to those securities on the date of acquisition. Investments are classified as either current or non-current based on the maturity date of each        security. Auction rate debt securities and variable rate demand notes classified as available-for-sale, however, are included in current assets despite the long-term contractual maturity if we have the ability to liquidate these investments within one year.

 

| The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

***Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts.***We extend unsecured credit to our students for tuition and fees and we record a receivable for the tuition and fees earned in excess of the payment received from or on behalf of a student. The individual student balances of these receivables are        insignificant. We record an allowance for doubtful accounts with respect to accounts receivable based on our historical collection experience. If our collection trends were to differ significantly from our historical collection experience, we would make a corresponding adjustment to our allowance for doubtful accounts.

 

In the second quarter of 2008, we began extending larger amounts of unsecured credit to our students due to a decrease in private education loans made to our students by third-party lenders. We categorized these receivables based on the students’ credit profiles and recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts based on historical        collection experience related to amounts owed by our students with similar credit profiles.

 

When a student is no longer enrolled in a program of study at one of our institutes, we increase the allowance for doubtful accounts related to the former student’s receivable balance to reflect the amount we estimate will not be collected. The amount that we estimate will not be collected is based on a review of the historical        collection experience for each institute, adjusted as needed to reflect other facts and circumstances. We review the collection activity after a student withdraws or graduates from an institute and will write off the accounts receivable if we conclude that collection of the balance is not probable. 

 

 

F - 7

 

 

 

***Property and Equipment.***Property and equipment is recorded in our consolidated financial statements at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.

 

Expenditures that extend the useful lives of our assets are capitalized. Developed or purchased software is capitalized in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Statement of Position 98-1, “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use.” Facility construction        costs are capitalized as incurred, with depreciation commencing when the facility is placed in service. We capitalize interest on our real estate construction projects in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 34, “Capitalization of Interest Cost.”

 

Provisions for depreciation and amortization of property and equipment have generally been made using the straight-line method over the following ranges of useful lives:

 

| **Type of Property and Equipment**  | **Estimated Useful Life** |
|-------------------------------------|---------------------------|
| Furniture and equipment             | 3 to 10 years             |   |
| Leasehold and building improvements | 3 to 14 years             |   |
| Buildings                           | 20 to 40 years            |   |
| Software                            | 3 to 8 years              |   |

 

We amortize leasehold improvements using the straight-line method over the shorter of the life of the improvement or the term of the underlying lease.

 

In accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” we regularly review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If we determine that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds        the total amount of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows from that asset, we would determine the fair value of that asset using a discounted cash flows model. If the amount of discounted cash flows is less than the net book value of the long-lived asset, we recognize an impairment loss in the amount of the difference. We base our impairment analyses of long-lived assets on our current business strategy, expected growth rates and estimates of future economic and regulatory        conditions.

 

***Direct Marketing Costs.***Direct costs incurred relating to the enrollment of new students are capitalized using the successful efforts method. The direct costs subject to capitalization are readily quantifiable and are not subject to estimation. Direct marketing costs subject to capitalization include        salaries and employee benefits of recruiting representatives and other direct costs. Successful efforts is the ratio of students enrolled to prospective students interviewed. The higher the rate of interviewed students who enroll, the greater the percentage of our direct marketing costs that are capitalized. We amortize our direct marketing costs on a cost-pool-by-cost-pool basis over the period that we expect to receive revenue streams associated with those assets. We define a cost        pool as the group of students that begin each academic quarter (“Class”). The direct marketing costs that are capitalized with respect to a particular Class are amortized using a method that corresponds to the amount of tuition revenue that will be recognized in each academic quarter for that Class. Since we recognize tuition revenue for a Class on a straight-line basis over the program length, we also recognize the amortization of the capitalized direct marketing costs with        respect to that Class on a straight-line basis over the same period. If a student withdraws, however, any remaining amount of the capitalized direct marketing costs related to that student is expensed immediately, because the realizability of the remaining capitalized direct marketing costs related to that student is impaired. The amortization method and period are based on historical trends of student enrollment and retention activity and are not subject to significant        assumptions.

 

We review the carrying amount of the capitalized direct marketing costs on a regular basis in order to compare the recorded amounts with the estimated remaining future revenue streams associated with those assets. If we determine that the value of the capitalized direct marketing costs recorded exceeds the remaining future revenue estimated to        be generated from those assets, the excess amount is written off and recorded as an expense for the related period. We regularly evaluate the factors used to determine the amounts to be deferred and amortized and the future recoverability of those deferred costs.

 

Direct marketing costs on our Consolidated Balance Sheets totaled $50,798 at December 31, 2008 and $48,058 at December 31, 2007, less accumulated amortization of $27,825 at December 31, 2008 and $27,491 at December 31, 2007.

 

***Insurance Liabilities.***We record liabilities and related expenses for medical, workers compensation and other insurance in accordance with the contractual terms of the insurance policies. We record the total liabilities that are estimable and probable as of the reporting date for our insurance liabilities        that we self-insure. The accounting for our self-insured arrangements involves estimates and judgments to determine the liability to be recorded for reported claims and claims incurred but not reported. We consider our historical experience in determining the appropriate 

 

F - 8

 

 

insurance reserves to record. If our current insurance claim trends were to differ significantly from our historic claim experience, however, we would make a corresponding adjustment to our insurance reserves.

 

***Contingent Liabilities.***We are subject to various claims and contingencies in the ordinary course of our business, including those related to litigation, business transactions, employee-related matters and taxes, among others. When we are aware of a claim or potential claim, we assess the likelihood of any        loss or exposure. If it is probable that a loss will result and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, we record a liability for the loss. The liability recorded includes probable and estimable legal costs associated with the claim or potential claim. If the loss is not probable or the amount of the loss cannot be reasonably estimated, we disclose the claim if the likelihood of a potential loss is reasonably possible and the amount involved is        material.

 

***Guarantees.***In accordance with FASB Interpretation No. (“FIN”) 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others, an interpretation of FASB Statements No. 5, 57 and 107 and rescission of FASB Interpretation        No. 34” (“FIN 45”), we recognize a liability for the fair value of a guarantee obligation upon its issuance. The fair market value of our guarantee of the payment of certain private loans previously made to our students by an unaffiliated lender was estimated based on historical charge off experience with respect to private loans made to our students and the present value of the expected cash flows that may result from the settlement of the guarantee obligation in the        future.

 

***Treasury Stock.***Repurchases of outstanding shares of our common stock are recorded at cost. Treasury stock issued in fulfillment of stock-based compensation awards or other obligations is accounted for under the last in, first out method.

 

In accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 6, “Status of Accounting Research Bulletins,” we record “losses” from the sale of treasury stock that exceed previous net “gains” from the sale of treasury stock as a charge to retained earnings.

 

***Fair Value and Credit Risk of Financial Instruments*****.**In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS No. 159”), which permits companies to choose to measure certain financial        instruments and other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. SFAS No. 159 became effective for us on January 1, 2008. This pronouncement did not have any effect on our consolidated financial statements, because we did not elect the fair value methodology under SFAS No. 159 for any of our financial instruments or other items that are not currently required to be measured at fair value.

 

Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”), for financial assets and financial liabilities measured on a recurring basis. This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles, and expands        disclosures regarding fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 applies whenever other accounting pronouncements require or permit fair value measurements for assets and liabilities. 

 

SFAS No. 157 defines fair value for financial reporting as the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid upon the transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value measurement of our financial assets utilized assumptions categorized as observable inputs        under SFAS No. 157. Observable inputs are assumptions based on independent market data sources.

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the fair value measurement of our financial assets as of December 31, 2008:

 

|                   |   |                 |   | **Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using**      |
|------------------------|--------|----------------------|--------|----------------------------------------------------------|
|                   |   |                 |   | **(Level 1)**                                            |   | **(Level 2)** |   | **(Level 3)** |
| **Description**        |   | **As of 12/31/2008** |   | **Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets** |   | **Significant Other Observable Inputs** |   | **Significant Unobservable Inputs** |
| Cash Equivalents       |   | $225,894             |   | $222,394                                                 |   | $3,500 |   | $-- |
| Restricted Cash        |   | 10,385               |   | 10,385                                                   |   | -- |   | -- |
| Short-Term Investments |   | 138,709              |   | 53,056                                                   |   | 85,653 |   | -- |
|                   |   | $374,988             |   | $285,835                                                 |   | $89,153 |   | $-- |

 

We used quoted prices in active markets for identical assets as of the measurement date to value our financial assets that were categorized as Level 1. For assets that were categorized in Level 2, we used:

 

| **•** | quoted prices for similar assets in active markets; |
|------------|-----------------------------------------------------|

 

 

F - 9

 

 

 

| **•** | quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that were not active or in which little public information had been released; |
|------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | inputs other than quoted prices that were observable for the assets; or |
|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | inputs that were principally derived from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. |
|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

As of January 31, 2009, we had liquidated $31,000 of the assets that were categorized as Level 2 as of December 31, 2008 for amounts that were equivalent to the reported fair values of those assets.

 

The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, other accrued liabilities and deferred revenue approximate fair value because of the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. Investments classified as available-for-sale are recorded at their market value.        

 

The fair value of our long-term debt is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current rates for similar loans with similar characteristics and remaining maturities.  As of December 31, 2008, the carrying value of our long-term debt was $150,000 and the estimated fair value was approximately        $149,000.

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to credit risk consist primarily of accounts receivable and interest-bearing investments. The credit risk of our accounts receivable is relatively minor due to the large number of individual student balances that make up this amount. Our interest-bearing investments generally consist of        high-quality securities issued by various entities and major financial institutions.

 

***Recognition of Revenue.***Tuition revenue is recorded on a straight-line basis over the length of the applicable course. If a student withdraws from an institute, the standards of most state education authorities that regulate our institutes, the accrediting commission that accredits our institutes and our own        internal policy limit a student’s obligation for tuition and fees to the institute depending on when a student withdraws during an academic quarter (“Refund Policies”). The terms of the Refund Policies vary by state, and the limitations imposed by the Refund Policies are generally based on the portion of the academic quarter that has elapsed at the time the student withdraws. Generally, the greater the portion of the academic quarter that has elapsed at the time the        student withdraws, the greater the student’s obligation is to the institute for the tuition and fees related to that academic quarter. We record revenue net of any refunds that result from any applicable Refund Policy. 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 deferred revenue.

 

Tuition revenue includes textbooks students use in their programs of study. We record the cost of these textbooks in prepaid expenses and other current assets and amortize the cost of textbooks on a straight-line basis over the applicable course length. Laptop computer and tool kit sales, and the related cost of each, are recognized when the        student receives the laptop computer or tool kit. Academic fees (which are charged only one time to students on their first day of class attendance) are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the average program length. If a student withdraws from an institute, all unrecognized revenue relating to his or her fees, net of any refunds that result from any applicable Refund Policy, is recognized upon the student’s departure. An administrative fee is charged to a student        and recognized as revenue when the student withdraws or graduates from a program of study at an institute.

 

We report 12 weeks of tuition revenue in each of our four fiscal quarters. We standardized the number of weeks of revenue reported in each fiscal quarter, because the timing of student breaks in a calendar quarter can fluctuate from quarter to quarter each year. The total number of weeks of school during each year is        48.

 

| ***Advertising Costs.***We expense all advertising costs as incurred. |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

***Equity-Based Compensation*****.**Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123R”), which prescribes the accounting for equity instruments exchanged for employee and director services. Under SFAS No. 123R, stock-based        compensation cost is measured at the date of grant, based on the calculated fair value of the grant, and is recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the period of time that the grantee must provide services to us before the stock-based compensation is fully vested. The vesting period is generally the period set forth in the agreement granting the stock-based compensation. Under the terms of our stock-based compensation plans, some grants immediately vest in full when the        grantee’s employment or service terminates, or when he or she is eligible to retire. As a result, in certain circumstances, the period of time that the grantee must provide services to us in order for that stock-based compensation to fully vest may be less than the vesting period set forth in the agreement granting the stock-based compensation. In these instances, compensation expense will be recognized over this shorter period.

 

We use an option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options and we use the market price of our common stock to determine the fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units (“RSUs”). The fair value of the stock options granted prior to January 1, 2005 was determined using the Black-Scholes model. For all        stock options 

 

F - 10

 

 

granted on or after January 1, 2005, we used a binomial option pricing model which, similar to the Black-Scholes model, takes into account the variables defined below:

 

| **•** | “Volatility” is a statistical measure of the extent to which the stock price is expected to fluctuate during a period and combines our historical stock price volatility and the implied volatility as measured by actively traded stock options.                        |
|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | “Expected life” is the weighted average period that those stock options are expected to remain outstanding, based on the historical patterns of our stock option exercises, as adjusted to reflect the current position-level demographics of the stock option grantees. |
| **•** | “Risk-free interest rate” is based on interest rates for terms that are similar to the expected life of the stock options.                                                                                                                                               |

| **•** | “Dividend yield” is based on our historical and expected future dividend payment practices. |
|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

We generally issue shares of our common stock from treasury shares upon the exercise of stock options. As of December 31, 2008, 15,352,376 shares of our common stock were held in treasury. Our Board of Directors has authorized us to repurchase outstanding shares of our common stock, but we are unable to determine at this point how many shares        we will repurchase over the next 12 months. See Note 3 for additional disclosures regarding our stock repurchases.

 

***Operating Leases*****.**We lease our non-owned facilities under operating lease agreements. Common provisions within our operating lease agreements include:

 

| **•** | renewal options, which can be exercised after the initial lease term; |
|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | rent escalation clauses;                                              |   |
| **•** | tenant improvement allowances; and                                    |   |
| **•** | rent holidays.                                                        |   |

 

We record the rent expense associated with each operating lease agreement evenly over the term of the lease in accordance with SFAS No. 13, “Accounting for Leases.” The difference between the amount of rent expense recorded and the amount of rent actually paid is recorded as accrued rent, which is included in other liabilities, on our Consolidated        Balance Sheets. 

 

***Income Taxes.***In accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” we account for income taxes using the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for expected future tax consequences of temporary differences that currently exist        between the tax bases and financial reporting bases of our assets and liabilities.

 

Effective January 1, 2007, we adopted FIN 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”), which prescribes a single, comprehensive model for how a company should recognize, measure, present and disclose in its financial statements uncertain tax positions that the        company has taken or expects to take on its tax returns. This interpretation requires the evaluation of whether it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits of a tax position, that the benefits resulting from the position will be realized by the company. Upon adoption of FIN 48, we recognized a decrease of approximately $3,391 in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, which was accounted for as an increase in retained earnings of $2,169 as of January 1, 2007 and a        reduction of federal tax benefits of $1,222.

 

We record interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

 

***Earnings Per Common Share.***Earnings per common share for all periods have been calculated in conformity with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share.” This data is based on historical net income and the weighted average number of shares of our common stock outstanding during each period as set forth in        the following table:

 

|                                | **Year Ended December 31,** |
|-------------------------------------|-----------------------------|
|                                | **2008**                    |   | **2007** |   | **2006** |   |
|                                | **(In thousands)**          |
| Shares:                             |                        |   |   |   |   |   |
| Weighted average number of shares   |                        |   |   |   |   |   |
| of common stock outstanding         | 38,881                      |   | 40,268 |   | 42,722 |   |
| Shares assumed issued (less shares  |                        |   |   |   |   |   |
| assumed purchased for treasury) for |                        |   |   |   |   |   |
| stock-based compensation            | 362                         |   | 615 |   | 907 |   |
| Outstanding shares for diluted      |                        |   |   |   |   |   |
| earnings per share calculation      | 39,243                      |   | 40,883 |   | 43,629 |   |

 

 

F - 11

 

 

 

A total of 396,226 shares for fiscal year 2008, 14,146 shares for fiscal year 2007 and 30,000 shares for fiscal year 2006 have been excluded from the calculation of our diluted earnings per common share because the effect was anti-dilutive.

 

***New Accounting Pronouncements.***

 

Effective November 15, 2008, we adopted SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (“SFAS No. 162”), which identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements that are presented in conformity        with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The adoption of this pronouncement did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. FAS 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8, “Disclosures by Public Entities (Enterprises) about Transfers of Financial Assets and Interests in Variable Interest Entities” (“FSP No. 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8”), which requires additional disclosures about transfers        of financial assets and involvement with variable interest entities. FSP No. 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8 became effective for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. We did not have any transactions which required disclosure under this guidance.

 

Also in December 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 132(R)-1 “Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets” (“FSP No. 132(R)-1”), which requires enhanced disclosures about plan assets in an employer’s defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. These disclosures are intended to        provide users of financial statements with a greater understanding of how investment allocation decisions are made, the major categories of plan assets, the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets and significant concentrations of risk within plan assets. FSP No. 132(R)-1 will apply to our plan asset disclosures beginning with our fiscal year ending December 31, 2009.

 

In September 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 133-1 and FIN 45-4 “Disclosures about Credit Derivatives and Certain Guarantees: An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 and FASB Interpretation No. 45; and Clarification of the Effective Date of FASB No. 161” (“FSP No. 133-1 and FIN 45-4”), which requires additional        disclosures for credit derivatives and certain guarantees. The disclosures required by this guidance that relate to credit derivatives and certain guarantees became effective for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. We did not have any transactions which required disclosure under this guidance.

 

In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 163, “Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 60” (“SFAS No. 163”), which clarifies how FASB Statement No. 60 applies to financial guarantee insurance contracts, including the recognition and measurement of premium        revenue and claim liabilities. SFAS No. 163 is effective commencing with our first fiscal quarter of 2009. We do not believe that the adoption of this pronouncement will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” (“SFAS No. 161”), which expands the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities. SFAS No. 161 is effective commencing with our first        fiscal quarter of 2009. We do not believe that the adoption of this pronouncement will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. 

 

In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” (“FSP No. 157-2”), which delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair        value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. FSP No. 157-2 is effective commencing with our first fiscal quarter of 2009. We do not believe that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements, because we do not have any nonfinancial assets or nonfinancial liabilities recognized or disclosed at fair value.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS No. 160”), which establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest of a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. SFAS No.        160 is effective commencing with our first fiscal quarter of 2009. We do not believe that the adoption of this pronouncement will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2007, the FASB revised and replaced SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations,” with SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS No. 141(R)”), which establishes principles and requirements for how a company recognizes and measures assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests acquired or        assumed in a business combination. SFAS No. 141(R) applies to any of our business combinations or acquisitions that occur after December 31, 2008. 

 

In November 2007, FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force issued 07-01, “Accounting for Collaborative Arrangements” (“EITF 07-01”), which defines collaborative arrangements and establishes reporting requirements for transactions between participants in a collaborative arrangement and between participants in the        arrangement and third 

 

F - 12

 

 

parties. EITF 07-01 is effective commencing with our first fiscal quarter of 2009 and applies to arrangements in existence as of the effective date. We do not believe that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

| **2.** | **Equity Compensation Plans** |
|--------|-------------------------------|

 

| We have adopted the following equity compensation plans, referred to collectively as the “Plans”: |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

| **•** | *2006 ITT Educational Services, Inc. Equity Compensation Plan*– Awards may be granted to our employees and directors under the 2006 ITT Educational Services, Inc. Equity Compensation Plan (“2006 Equity Compensation Plan”) in the form of stock options (incentive and nonqualified), stock appreciation rights                    (“SARs”), restricted stock, RSUs, performance shares, performance units and other stock-based awards as defined in the plan. The maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued pursuant to awards under this plan is 4,000,000. Each share underlying stock options and SARs granted and not forfeited or terminated, reduces the number of shares available for future awards by one share. The delivery of a share in connection with a “full-value                    award” (i.e., an award of restricted stock, RSUs, performance shares, performance units or any other stock-based award with value denominated in shares) reduces the number of shares remaining for other awards by three shares. As of December 31, 2008, restricted stock, RSUs and nonqualified stock options have been awarded under this plan. |
|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | *1999 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan*– A maximum of 500,000 shares of our common stock were available to be issued upon the exercise of nonqualified stock options granted to non-employee directors under the 1999 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan (“1999 Directors Stock Plan”).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| **•** | *1997 ITT Educational Services, Inc. Incentive Stock Plan*– A maximum of 8,100,000 shares of our common stock were available to be issued upon the exercise of stock options and pursuant to other forms of awards under the 1997 ITT Educational Services, Inc. Incentive Stock Plan (“1997 Stock Plan”), but no more than                    20% of the total number of shares on a cumulative basis could have been used for restricted stock or performance share awards. A maximum of 1.5% of our outstanding shares of common stock could have been issued annually, with any unissued shares available to be issued in later years.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |

 

No additional awards have been or will be granted after May 9, 2006 under the 1999 Directors Stock Plan or the 1997 Stock Plan.

 

The stock-based compensation expense and related income tax benefit recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Income in the periods indicated were as follows:

 

|                             | **Year Ended December 31,** |
|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
|                             | **2008**                    |   | **2007** |   | **2006** |
| Stock-based compensation expense | $7,235                      |   | $5,100 |   | $3,067 |
| Income tax (benefit)             | ($2,785)                    |   | ($1,963) |   | ($1,181) |

 

We did not capitalize any stock-based compensation cost in the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.

 

On October 24, 2005, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors accelerated the vesting of all unvested, nonqualified stock options granted to our employees and directors that had exercise prices greater than the closing price of our common stock on that date. In addition, certain of our executives were awarded nonqualified stock        options during 2005 that were fully vested and immediately exercisable. The purpose for accelerating the vesting and award of those stock options was to reduce our compensation costs associated with those stock options upon our adoption of SFAS No. 123R in 2006.

 

As of December 31, 2008, we estimated that pre-tax compensation expense for unvested stock-based compensation grants in the amount of approximately $9,835, net of estimated forfeitures, will be recognized in future periods. This expense will be recognized over the remaining service period applicable to the grantees which, on a weighted-average        basis, is approximately two years.

 

***Stock Options.***Under the Plans, the stock option exercise price may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The maximum term of any stock option granted under the 2006 Equity Compensation Plan may not exceed seven years from the date of grant, and those stock        options will be exercisable at such times and under conditions as determined by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors, subject to the limitations contained in the plan. 

 

Under the 1999 Directors Stock Plan, the stock options granted typically vested and became exercisable on the first anniversary of the grant. The maximum term of any stock option granted under the 1999 Directors Stock Plan was: (a) 10 years from the date of grant for any stock options granted prior to January 25, 2005; and (b) seven years from        the date of grant for any stock options granted on or after January 25, 2005.

 

 

F - 13

 

 

 

Under the 1997 Stock Plan, the stock options granted typically vest and become exercisable in three equal annual installments commencing with the first anniversary of the date of grant. The maximum term of any stock option granted under the 1997 Stock Plan was 10 years and two days from the date of grant.

 

The stock options granted, forfeited, exercised and expired in the period indicated were as follows:

 

|                               |   | **Year Ended December 31, 2008** |
|------------------------------------|--------|----------------------------------|
|                               |   |                             |   | **Weighted** |   |   |   | **Weighted** |   |   |
|                               |   |                             |   | **Average** |   | **Aggregate** |   | **Average** |   | **Aggregate** |
|                               |   | **# of**                         |   | **Exercise** |   | **Exercise** |   | **Remaining** |   | **Intrinsic** |
|                               |   | **Shares**                       |   | **Price** |   | **Price** |   | **Contractual Term** |   | **Value (1)** |
| Outstanding at beginning of period |   | 1,468,993                        |   | $50.25 |   | $73,816 |   |   |   |   |
| Granted                            |   | 177,543                          |   | 86.83 |   | 15,416 |   |   |   |   |
| Forfeited                          |   | (3,584)                          |   | 60.27 |   | (216) |   |   |   |   |
| Exercised                          |   | (75,435)                         |   | 42.96 |   | (3,241) |   |   |   |   |
| Expired                            |   | (6,000)                          |   | 10.83 |   | (65) |   |   |   |   |
| Outstanding at end of period       |   | 1,561,517                        |   | $54.89 |   | $85,710 |   | 4.7 years |   | $62,603 |
| Exercisable at end of period       |   | 1,227,314                        |   | $46.86 |   | $57,516 |   | 4.2 years |   | $59,055 |

**_____________________________**

| (1) | The aggregate intrinsic value of the stock options was calculated by multiplying the number of shares subject to the options outstanding or exercisable, as applicable, by the closing market price of our common stock on December 31, 2008, and subtracting the applicable aggregate exercise price. |
|-----|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the stock options granted and exercised in the periods indicated:

 

|                                               | **Year Ended December 31,** |
|----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|
|                                               | **2008**                    |   | **2007** |   | **2006** |
| Shares subject to stock options granted            | 177,543                     |   | 245,362 |   | 80,500 |
| Weighted average grant date fair value             | $36.83                      |   | $30.05 |   | $22.31 |
| Shares subject to stock options exercised          | 75,435                      |   | 1,313,746 |   | 922,043 |
| Intrinsic value of stock options exercised         | $3,165                      |   | $100,544 |   | $37,273 |
| Proceeds received from stock options exercised     | $3,241                      |   | $31,002 |   | $22,960 |
| Tax benefits realized from stock options exercised | $1,201                      |   | $38,588 |   | $14,289 |

 

The intrinsic value of a stock option is the difference between the fair market value of the stock and the option exercise price. The fair value of each stock option grant was estimated on the date of grant using the following assumptions:

 

|                      | **Year Ended December 31,** |
|---------------------------|-----------------------------|
|                      | **2008**                    |   | **2007** |   | **2006** |
| Risk-free interest rates  | 2.7%                        |   | 4.5% - 4.8% |   | 4.3% |
| Expected lives (in years) | 4.0                         |   | 4.7 |   | 4.0 |
| Volatility                | 53%                         |   | 35% |   | 42% |
| Dividend yield            | None                        |   | None |   | None |

 

***Restricted Stock and RSUs.***Under the 1997 Stock Plan, restricted shares awarded were subject to a restriction period set by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors, during which time the shares may not be sold, transferred, assigned or pledged. For restricted stock awards issued under the 1997        Stock Plan, the restriction period ends on the third anniversary of the date of grant. Under the 2006 Equity Compensation Plan, restricted shares and RSUs awarded are subject to a restriction period of at least: (a) three years in the case of a time-based period of restriction; and (b) one year in the case of a performance-based period of restriction. All restricted shares and RSUs awarded under the 2006 Equity Compensation Plan as of December 31, 2008 have a time-based restriction        period that ends on the third anniversary of the date of grant, except for one grant of 18,249 RSUs made in 2007 which has a time-based restriction period that ends on the fifth anniversary of the date of grant.

 

The following table sets forth the number of shares of restricted stock and RSUs that were granted, forfeited and vested in the period indicated:

 

 

F - 14

 

 

 

 

|                            | **Year Ended December 31, 2008**    |
|---------------------------------|-------------------------------------|
|                            | **# of Shares of Restricted Stock** |   | **Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value** |   | **# of RSUs** |   | **Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value** |
| Unvested at beginning of period | 22,672                              |   | $61.02 |   | 58,097 |   | $84.40 |
| Granted                         | --                                  |   | -- |   | 43,778 |   | 81.32 |
| Forfeited                       | (3,232)                             |   | 60.83 |   | (6,796) |   | 84.93 |
| Vested                          | --                                  |   | -- |   | -- |   | -- |
| Unvested at end of period       | 19,440                              |   | $61.05 |   | 95,079 |   | $82.95 |

 

No shares of restricted stock or RSUs vested during the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

| **3.** | **Stock Repurchases** |
|--------|-----------------------|

 

Our Board of Directors has authorized us to repurchase the following number of shares of our common stock pursuant to our share repurchase program (the “Repurchase Program”):

 

| **Number of Shares** |   | **Board Authorization Date** |
|----------------------|--------|------------------------------|
| 2,000,000            |   | April 1999                   |
| 2,000,000            |   | April 2000                   |
| 5,000,000            |   | October 2002                 |
| 5,000,000            |   | April 2006                   |
| 5,000,000            |   | April 2007                   |

 

As of December 31, 2008, 3,972,100 shares remained available for repurchase under the Repurchase Program. The terms of the Repurchase Program provide that we may repurchase shares of our common stock, from time to time depending on market conditions and other considerations, in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions in accordance with Rule        10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Unless earlier terminated by our Board of Directors, the Repurchase Program will expire when we repurchase all shares authorized for repurchase thereunder.

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the shares of our common stock that we repurchased in the periods indicated:

 

|                    | **Year Ended December 31,** |
|-------------------------|-----------------------------|
|                    | **2008**                    |   | **2007** |
| Number of shares        | 1,049,700                   |   | 2,659,300 |
| Total cost              | $87,774                     |   | $264,994 |
| Average price per share | $83.62                      |   | $99.65 |

 

From January 30, 2009 through February 13, 2009, we repurchased 263,300 outstanding shares of our common stock pursuant to our existing repurchase authorization at a total cost of $33,414 or at an average cost per share of $126.90.

 

| **4.** | **Debt** |
|--------|----------|

 

On December 17, 2007, we entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with a single lender (the “Lender”) to borrow up to $160,000 under two revolving credit facilities: one in the maximum principal amount of $50,000; and the other in the maximum principal amount of $110,000. Borrowings        under the Credit Agreement are used to allow us to continue repurchasing shares of our common stock while maintaining compliance with certain financial ratios required by various education authorities that regulate us.

 

Both revolving credit facilities under the Credit Agreement mature on July 1, 2010. The borrowings under each credit facility may be secured or unsecured at our election, provided that we have not defaulted under the Credit Agreement, in which case, any borrowings made on a secured basis must remain secured. Cash equivalents and investments        held in a pledged account serve as the collateral for any secured borrowings under the Credit Agreement.

 

The Credit Agreement contains, among other things, covenants, representations and warranties and events of default customary for credit facilities. The availability of borrowings under the Credit Agreement is subject to our ability at the time of borrowing to satisfy certain specified conditions. These conditions include an absence of default        by us, as defined in the Credit Agreement, and that certain representations and warranties contained in the Credit Agreement continue to be true and accurate. We are also required to maintain a certain maximum leverage ratio and a minimum ratio of cash and investments to outstanding indebtedness at the end of each of our fiscal quarters. We were in compliance with those ratio requirements as of December 31, 2008.

 

 

F - 15

 

 

 

Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate (the “LIBOR”), plus an applicable margin based on our indebtedness to net worth ratio, adjusted quarterly. We pay a commitment fee of 0.15% per annum of the average daily unused amount of the credit facilities. As of December 31, 2008, the        borrowings under the Credit Agreement were $150,000, all of which were secured and bore interest at a rate of 0.59% per annum. Approximately $157,950 of our investments and cash equivalents served as collateral for the secured borrowings as of December 31, 2008.

 

We recognized interest expense on our borrowings of $4,559 in the year ended December 31, 2008, $8,208 in the year ended December 31, 2007 and $214 in the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

| **5.** | **Financial Aid Programs** |
|--------|----------------------------|

 

We participate in various federal student financial aid programs under Title IV (“Title IV Programs”) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (“HEA”). Approximately 72% of our 2008 revenue, determined on a cash accounting basis as defined by the ED regulations, was indirectly derived from funds distributed under        these programs.

 

We administer the Title IV Programs in separate accounts as required by government regulation. We are required to administer the funds in accordance with the requirements of the HEA and the ED’s regulations and must use due diligence in approving and disbursing funds and servicing loans. In the event we do not comply with federal        requirements, or if student loan default rates rise to a level considered excessive by the federal government, we could lose our eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs or could be required to repay funds determined to have been improperly disbursed. Our management believes that we are in substantial compliance with the federal requirements.

 

| **6.** | **Investments** |
|--------|-----------------|

 

The following table sets forth how our investments were classified on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of the dates indicated:

 

|                    | **As of December 31,**     |
|-------------------------|----------------------------|
|                    | **2008**                   |   | **2007** |
|                    | **Available-****For-Sale** |   | **Held-to-Maturity** |   | **Total** |   | **Available-****For-Sale** |   | **Held-to-Maturity** |   | **Total** |
| Current investments     | $138,709                   |   | -- |   | $138,709 |   | $303,360 |   | $-- |   | $303,360 |
| Non-current investments | --                         |   | -- |   | -- |   | -- |   | -- |   | -- |
|                    | $138,709                   |   | -- |   | $138,709 |   | $303,360 |   | $-- |   | $303,360 |

 

The following table sets forth the aggregate fair market value of our available-for-sale investments as of the dates indicated:

 

|                            | **As of December 31,** |
|---------------------------------|------------------------|
|                            | **2008**               |   | **2007** |
| Available-for-Sale Investments: |                   |   |   |
| Auction rate securities         | $--                    |   | $130,575 |
| Variable rate demand notes      | 30,500                 |   | 172,785 |
| Government obligations          | 53,056                 |   | -- |
| Government agency obligations   | 29,641                 |   | -- |
| Corporate obligations           | 25,512                 |   | -- |
|                            | $138,709               |   | $303,360 |

 

The following table sets forth the net unrealized gains in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on our Consolidated Balance Sheets related to our available-for-sale investments:

 

|                          | **As of December 31,** |
|-------------------------------|------------------------|
|                          | **2008**               |   | **2007** |
| Government obligations        | $146                   |   | $-- |
| Government agency obligations | 165                    |   | -- |
| Corporate obligations         | 117                    |   | -- |
|                          | $428                   |   | $-- |

 

 

F - 16

 

 

 

The following table sets forth the unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments that were included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on our Consolidated Balance Sheets in the periods indicated:

 

|              | **Year Ended December 31,** |
|-------------------|-----------------------------|
|              | **2008**                    |   | **2007** |   | **2006** |
| Unrealized gains  | $428                        |   | $-- |   | $-- |
| Unrealized losses | --                          |   | -- |   | -- |

 

No unrealized gains or losses were reclassified out of our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) during our fiscal years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.

 

The following table sets forth the components of investment income included in interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income in the periods indicated:

 

|                                          | **Year Ended December 31,** |
|-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|
|                                          | **2008**                    |   | **2007** |   | **2006** |
| Net realized gains on the sale of investments | $--                         |   | $-- |   | $63 |
| Interest income                               | 6,498                       |   | 10,566 |   | 8,288 |
|                                          | $6,498                      |   | $10,566 |   | $8,351 |

 

The following table sets forth the contractual maturities of our debt securities classified as available-for-sale as of December 31, 2008:

 

| **Contractual Maturity**               |   | **Available-for-Sale** |
|----------------------------------------|--------|------------------------|
| Due within five years                  |   | $108,209               |
| Due after five years through ten years | 7,000  |
| Due after ten years                    |   | 23,500                 |
|                                   |   | $138,709               |

 

| **7.** | **Property and Equipment** |
|--------|----------------------------|

 

| The following table sets forth our property and equipment, net, as of the dates indicated: |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

|                                | **As of December 31,** |
|-------------------------------------|------------------------|
|                                | **2008**               |   | **2007** |
| Furniture and equipment             | $118,840               |   | $122,314 |
| Buildings and building improvements | 102,584                |   | 87,924 |
| Leasehold improvements              | 10,467                 |   | 9,830 |
| Software                            | 8,459                  |   | 9,653 |
| Construction in progress            | 2,570                  |   | 2,335 |
| Land and land improvements          | 34,809                 |   | 31,477 |
|                                | 277,729                |   | 263,533 |
| Less: Accumulated depreciation      | (104,437)              |   | (104,319) |
| Accumulated amortization - Software | (6,621)                |   | (5,949) |
| Property and equipment, net         | $166,671               |   | $153,265 |

 

Software includes purchased and internally developed software.

 

The following table sets forth the amortization expense for software and the depreciation and amortization expense for furniture and equipment, buildings and building improvements and leasehold improvements in the periods indicated:

 

|                                  | **Year Ended December 31,** |
|---------------------------------------|-----------------------------|
|                                  | **2008**                    |   | **2007** |   | **2006** |
| Amortization expense - software       | $1,854                      |   | $3,682 |   | $3,808 |
| Depreciation and amortization expense | $20,376                     |   | $19,567 |   | $17,833 |

 

 

F - 17

 

 

 

| **8.** | **Income Taxes** |
|--------|------------------|

 

| The following table sets forth the components of the provision for income taxes in the periods indicated: |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

|                                   | **Year Ended December 31,** |
|----------------------------------------|-----------------------------|
|                                   | **2008**                    |   | **2007** |   | **2006** |
| Current income tax expense:            |                        |   |   |   |   |
| U.S. federal                           | $116,016                    |   | $85,282 |   | $62,464 |
| State and local                        | 19,227                      |   | 14,349 |   | 10,606 |
| Total                                  | 135,243                     |   | 99,631 |   | 73,070 |
| Deferred income tax expense (benefit): |                        |   |   |   |   |
| U.S. federal                           | (7,108)                     |   | (5,669) |   | (1,546) |
| State and local                        | (1,342)                     |   | (1,068) |   | (413) |
| Total                                  | (8,450)                     |   | (6,737) |   | (1,959) |
| Total provision for income taxes       | $126,793                    |   | $92,894 |   | $71,111 |

 

The following table sets forth the components of our deferred income tax assets (liabilities) as of the dates indicated: 

 

|                                      | **As of December 31,** |
|-------------------------------------------|------------------------|
|                                      | **2008**               |   | **2007** |
| Direct marketing costs                    | ($8,966)               |   | ($8,027) |
| Capitalized software                      | (717)                  |   | (1,446) |
| Deferral of book costs                    | (1,744)                |   | (1,521) |
| Property and equipment                    | (663)                  |   | (2,485) |
| Pension                                   | --                     |   | (5,233) |
| Other                                     | (1,455)                |   | (423) |
| Gross deferred tax liabilities            | ($13,545)              |   | ($19,135) |
|                                      |                   |   |   |
| Deferred revenue                          | 2,592                  |   | 2,200 |
| Accounts receivable                       | 6,270                  |   | 2,099 |
| Legal accrual                             | 1,118                  |   | 1,132 |
| Compensation and benefits                 | 4,030                  |   | 2,978 |
| Stock-based compensation                  | 5,531                  |   | 2,721 |
| Operating leases                          | 1,725                  |   | 1,897 |
| Pension                                   | 760                    |   | -- |
| Other                                     | 2,119                  |   | 1,772 |
| Gross deferred tax assets                 | $24,145                |   | $14,799 |
|                                      |                   |   |   |
| Net deferred income tax asset (liability) | $10,600                |   | ($4,336) |

 

The difference between the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate and our effective income tax rate as a percentage of income in the periods indicated is reconciled in the following table:

 

|                                       | **Year Ended December 31,** |
|--------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|
|                                       | **2008**                    |   | **2007** |   | **2006** |
| U.S. federal statutory income tax rate     | 35.0%                       |   | 35.0% |   | 35.0% |
| State income taxes, net of federal benefit | 3.6%                        |   | 3.5% |   | 3.6% |
| Other                                      | (0.2%)                      |   | (0.5%) |   | (1.1%) |
| Effective income tax rate                  | 38.4%                       |   | 38.0% |   | 37.5% |

 

 

F - 18

 

 

 

The following table sets forth the activity with respect to our unrecognized tax benefits in the period indicated:

 

|                                               |   | **Year Ended December 31,** |
|----------------------------------------------------|--------|-----------------------------|
|                                               |   | **2008**                    |   | **2007** |
| Balance as of January 1Increases (decreases) from: |   | $8,564                      |   | $6,820 |
| Tax positions taken during a prior period          |   | --                          |   | -- |
| Tax positions taken during the current period      |   | 2,851                       |   | 3,050 |
| Settlements with taxing authorities                |   | --                          |   | (1,084) |
| Lapse of statute of limitations                    |   | (526)                       |   | (222) |
| Balance as of December 31                          |   | $10,889                     |   | $8,564 |

 

The amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would have affected our effective tax rate as of December 31, 2008 was $8,668. We do not expect the amount of our unrecognized tax benefits to significantly increase or decrease during the next 12 months. The amount of interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits accrued on our        Consolidated Balance Sheets was $821 as of December 31, 2008 and $666 as of December 31, 2007. In each of the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, the amount of interest expense and penalties related to our unrecognized tax benefits that we recognized in our Consolidated Statement of Income was not material.

 

We file income tax returns in the United States (federal) and in various state and local jurisdictions. As of December 31, 2008, we were no longer subject to federal, state or local income tax examinations for tax years prior to 2005, except in ten states where we are still subject to income tax examinations for tax years 2001 through        2004.

 

| **9.** | **Employee Benefit Plans** |
|--------|----------------------------|

 

***Employee Pension Benefits*****.**Our ESI Pension Plan, a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan, commonly referred to as a cash balance plan, covers substantially all of our employees who began their employment with us prior to June 2, 2003. This plan provides benefits based on        an employee’s annual earnings times an established percentage of pay determined by the employee’s age and years of benefit service. Effective June 2, 2003, we closed participation in the ESI Pension Plan to all new employees. Employees who begin their employment with us on or after June 2, 2003 do not participate in the ESI Pension Plan. 

 

Our ESI Excess Pension Plan, a nonqualified, unfunded retirement plan, covers a select group of our management. The purpose of the ESI Excess Pension Plan is to restore benefits earned, but not available, to eligible employees under the ESI Pension Plan due to federal statutory limitations on the amount of benefits that can be paid and        compensation that may be recognized under a tax-qualified retirement plan.

 

The benefit accruals under the ESI Pension Plan and the ESI Excess Pension Plan for all participants in those plans were frozen effective March 31, 2006, such that no further benefits accrue under those plans after March 31, 2006. Participants in those plans, however, continue to be credited with vesting service and interest according to the        terms of the ESI Pension Plan and the ESI Excess Pension Plan.

 

Effective January 1, 2008, we changed the term of the required vesting service under the ESI Pension Plan from five years to three years. This change resulted in the recognition of $128, net of tax, of prior service costs in accumulated other comprehensive income on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31,        2008.

 

Effective December 31, 2008, we adopted the measurement date provisions of 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)” (“SFAS No. 158”). SFAS No. 158 requires a company to measure the funded        status of a defined benefit postretirement plan as of the date of the company’s year end balance sheet. We utilized the pension measurements as of September 30, 2007 to determine the amount of the net periodic benefit cost allocated to the three month period ended December 31, 2007 for the transition to a calendar year-end measurement date. We recognized a benefit of $325, net of income tax, in our retained earnings as of December 31, 2008, as a result of our adoption of the        measurement date provisions of SFAS No. 158.

 

The information presented below is based on an actuarial valuation date as of December 31 for 2008 and September 30 for 2007.

 

 

F - 19

 

 

 

| The following table sets forth the change in projected benefit obligation for the periods indicated: |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

|                                              | **Year Ended December 31,** |
|---------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|
|                                              | **2008**                    |   | **2007** |
| Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year | $54,276                     |   | $54,743 |
| Service cost                                      | --                          |   | -- |
| Actuarial (gain)                                  | (2,133)                     |   | (815) |
| Interest cost                                     | 3,859                       |   | 3,080 |
| Benefits paid                                     | (4,905)                     |   | (2,732) |
| Plan amendments                                   | 211                         |   | -- |
| Projected benefit obligation at end of year       | $51,308                     |   | $54,276 |
| Fair value of plan assets at end of year          | 49,458                      |   | 67,159 |
| Funded (unfunded) status at end of year           | ($1,850)                    |   | $12,883 |

 

| Our accumulated benefit obligation was $51,308 at December 31, 2008 and $54,276 at December 31, 2007. |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

The weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations as of December 31, 2008 and September 30, 2007 are as follows:

 

|                          | **2008** |   | **2007** |
|-------------------------------|----------|--------|----------|
| Discount rate                 | 6.25%    |   | 6.00%    |
| Rate of compensation increase | N/A      |   | N/A      |

 

The following table sets forth the change in plan assets for the periods indicated:

 

|                                           | **Year Ended December 31,** |
|------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|
|                                           | **2008**                    |   | **2007** |
| Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year | $67,159                     |   | $61,364 |
| Actual return on plan assets                   | (14,047)                    |   | 8,527 |
| Employer contributions                         | 1,251                       |   | -- |
| Benefits paid                                  | (4,905)                     |   | (2,732) |
| Fair value of plan assets at end of year       | $49,458                     |   | $67,159 |

 

The following table sets forth the fair value of total plan assets by major asset category as of the measurement date used for the periods indicated:

 

|                      | **Year Ended December 31,** |
|---------------------------|-----------------------------|
|                      | **2008**                    |   | **2007** |
|                      | **Amount**                  |   | **Percent** |   | **Amount** |   | **Percent** |
| Cash and cash equivalents | $337                        |   | 1% |   | $530 |   | 1% |
| Bond mutual funds         | 23,483                      |   | 48% |   | 25,500 |   | 38% |
| Equity mutual funds       | 7,487                       |   | 15% |   | 12,480 |   | 18% |
| Common stocks             | 17,448                      |   | 35% |   | 28,001 |   | 42% |
| Foreign equities          | 703                         |   | 1% |   | 648 |   | 1% |
| Total                     | $49,458                     |   | 100% |   | $67,159 |   | 100% |

 

We adopted the recognition provisions of SFAS No. 158 effective December 31, 2006. SFAS No. 158 requires that the funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan be recognized on a company’s balance sheet, and that any changes in the funded status of that type of plan be recognized through comprehensive income. Retrospective        application of SFAS No. 158 was not permitted and, therefore, prior period balances and activity related to the ESI Pension Plan and ESI Excess Pension Plan have not been changed.

 

The following table sets forth the amounts recognized on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of the dates indicated:

 

|                      | **As of December 31,** |
|---------------------------|------------------------|
|                      | **2008**               |   | **2007** |
| Current assets            | $--                    |   | $-- |
| Non-current assets        | --                     |   | 14,756 |
| Current (liabilities)     | (257)                  |   | (1,508) |
| Non-current (liabilities) | (1,593)                |   | (365) |
| Total                     | ($1,850)               |   | $12,883 |

 

 

F - 20

 

 

 

The following table sets forth the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on our Consolidated Balance Sheets that have not been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost as of the dates indicated:

 

|                                         | **As of December 31,** |
|----------------------------------------------|------------------------|
|                                         | **2008**               |   | **2007** |
| Net actuarial (loss)                         | ($22,543)              |   | ($5,621) |
| Prior service cost                           | (184)                  |   | -- |
| Income tax benefit                           | 8,915                  |   | 2,204 |
| Total accumulated other comprehensive (loss) | ($13,812)              |   | ($3,417) |

 

The following table sets forth the components of net periodic pension cost (benefit) in the periods indicated:

 

|                                      | **Year Ended December 31,** |
|-------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|
|                                      | **2008**                    |   | **2007** |   | **2006** |
| Service cost                              | $--                         |   | $-- |   | $1,670 |
| Interest cost                             | 3,088                       |   | 3,080 |   | 3,005 |
| Expected return on assets                 | (5,228)                     |   | (4,793) |   | (4,443) |
| Recognized net actuarial loss             | --                          |   | 578 |   | 823 |
| Amortization of prior service cost        | 27                          |   | -- |   | (22) |
| Net periodic benefit cost                 | ($2,113)                    |   | ($1,135) |   | $1,033 |
| FAS 88 curtailment (gain)                 | --                          |   | -- |   | (684) |
| FAS 88 settlement loss                    | 1,527                       |   | -- |   | -- |
| Total net periodic pension cost (benefit) | ($586)                      |   | ($1,135) |   | $349 |

 

The amortization of any prior service cost is determined using a straight-line amortization of the cost over the average remaining service period for employees expected to receive benefits under the pension plans, as permitted under Paragraph 26 of SFAS No. 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions.” The estimated net actuarial loss and prior        service cost that is expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income and recognized in net periodic pension cost for the year ended December 31, 2009 is $0. 

 

The weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic pension cost in the years ended December 31, 2008 and September 30, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:

 

|                                     | **2008** |   | **2007** |   | **2006** |
|------------------------------------------|----------|--------|----------|--------|----------|
| Discount rate                            | 6.00%    |   | 5.75%    |   | 5.50%    |
| Expected long-term return on plan assets | 8.00%    |   | 8.00%    |   | 8.00%    |
| Rate of compensation increase            | N/A      |   | N/A      |   | 4.50%    |

 

The following table sets forth the benefit payments that we expect to pay from the pension plans in the periods indicated:

 

| **Year**                 |   | **Amount** |
|--------------------------|--------|------------|
| Fiscal 2009              |   | $3,549     |
| Fiscal 2010              |   | $3,171     |
| Fiscal 2011              |   | $4,376     |
| Fiscal 2012              |   | $4,996     |
| Fiscal 2013              |   | $3,454     |
| Fiscal 2014 – 2018 |   | $17,262    |

 

We invest plan assets based on a total return on investment approach, pursuant to which the plan assets include a diversified blend of equity and fixed income investments toward a goal of maximizing the long-term rate of return without assuming an unreasonable level of investment risk. We determine the level of risk based on an analysis of        plan liabilities, the extent to which the value of the plan assets satisfies the plan liabilities and our financial condition. Our investment policy includes target allocations ranging from 30% to 70% for equity investments, 20% to 60% for fixed income investments and 0% to 50% for cash equivalents. The equity portion of the plan assets represents growth and value stocks of small, medium and large companies. We measure and monitor the investment risk of the plan assets both on a        quarterly basis and annually when we assess plan liabilities.

 

We use a building block approach to estimate the long-term rate of return on plan assets. This approach is based on the capital market principle that the greater the volatility, the greater the return over the long term. An analysis of the historical performance of equity and fixed income investments, together with current market factors such        as the inflation and interest rates, are used to help us make the assumptions necessary to estimate a long-term rate of return on plan assets. Once this estimate is made, we review the portfolio of plan assets and make adjustments thereto that we believe are necessary to reflect a diversified blend of equity and fixed income investments that is capable of achieving 

 

F - 21

 

 

the estimated long-term rate of return without assuming an unreasonable level of investment risk. We also compare the portfolio of plan assets to those of other pension plans to help us assess the suitability and appropriateness of the plan investments.

 

We determine our discount rate by performing a yield curve analysis which reflects estimated pension cash flows as of our actuarial valuation date. High-quality fixed income investments with lives that approximate the periods represented in our pension plan actuarial valuation were used to estimate this rate.

 

In 2008, we made no contribution to the ESI Pension Plan and contributed $1,251 to the ESI Excess Pension Plan. We do not expect to make any contribution to the ESI Pension Plan or ESI Excess Pension Plan in 2009. 

 

During 2006, prior to adopting SFAS No. 158, we decreased our minimum pension liability by $9,899 as a result of:

 

| **•** | funding the ESI Pension Plan with a $15,000 contribution; and |
|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | making refinements to our future expected benefit payment assumptions due to freezing the ESI Pension Plan and ESI Excess Pension Plan. |
|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

 

We also recorded a corresponding $6,016 increase in shareholders’ equity, which was net of a $3,883 deferred tax asset.

 

***Retirement Savings Plan.***Our ESI 401(k) Plan, a defined contribution plan, covers substantially all of our employees. Prior to March 19, 2004, our contributions under the ESI 401(k) Plan were made in cash to a fund that invested in our common stock, which a plan participant could not redirect to other plan        investment options until the participant reached age 55. All of our contributions under the ESI 401(k) Plan that we have made on and after March 19, 2004 have been in the form of cash to plan investment options directed by the participant. 

 

Our ESI Excess Savings Plan, a nonqualified, unfunded deferred compensation plan, covers a select group of our management. The plan provided for salary deferral of contributions that the participants were unable to make under the ESI 401(k) Plan and our contributions that cannot be paid under the ESI 401(k) Plan due to federal statutory limits        on the amount that an employee can contribute under a defined contribution plan. Effective for plan years beginning on and after January 1, 2008, we froze the ESI Excess Savings Plan, such that employees may no longer make salary deferrals and we will no longer make contributions under the ESI Excess Savings Plan. Amounts previously credited to an employee under the ESI Excess Savings Plan will, however, continue to accrue interest in accordance with the terms of the ESI Excess Savings        Plan until those amounts are distributed pursuant to the plan’s terms.

 

The costs of providing the benefits under the ESI 401(k) Plan and ESI Excess Savings Plan (including certain administrative costs of the plans) were:

 

| **•** | $3,043 in the year ended December 31, 2008;     |   |
|------------|-------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | $3,583 in the year ended December 31, 2007; and |
| **•** | $3,836 in the year ended December 31, 2006.     |   |

 

| **10.** | **Commitments and Contingencies** |
|---------|-----------------------------------|

 

As part of our normal operations, one of our insurers issues surety bonds for us that are required by various education authorities that regulate us. We are obligated to reimburse our insurer for any of those surety bonds that are paid by the insurer. As of December 31, 2008, the total face amount of those surety bonds was approximately        $19,700.

 

We are also subject to various claims and contingencies in the ordinary course of our business, including those related to litigation, business transactions, employee-related matters and taxes, among others. We cannot assure you of the ultimate outcome of any litigation involving us. Any litigation alleging violations of education or consumer        protection laws and/or regulations, misrepresentation, fraud or deceptive practices may also subject our affected institutes to additional regulatory scrutiny.

 

***Lease Commitments.***We lease our non-owned facilities under operating lease agreements. A majority of the operating leases contain renewal options that can be exercised after the initial lease term. Renewal options are generally for periods of one to five years. All operating leases will expire over the next        15 years and we expect that:

 

| **•** | those leases will be renewed or replaced by other leases in the normal course of business; |
|------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **•** | we may purchase the facilities represented by those leases; or                             |   |
| **•** | we may purchase or build other replacement facilities.                                     |   |

 

There are no material restrictions imposed by the lease agreements, and we have not entered into any significant guarantees related to the leases. We are required to make additional payments under the operating lease terms for taxes, insurance and other operating expenses incurred during the operating lease period.

 

 

F - 22

 

 

 

Rent expense under our operating leases was:

 

| **•** | $32,574 in the year ended December 31, 2008;     |   |
|------------|--------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | $29,114 in the year ended December 31, 2007; and |
| **•** | $27,866 in the year ended December 31, 2006.     |   |

 

Future minimum rental payments required under our operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2008 are as follows: 

 

 

| 2009                | $36,456  |
|---------------------|----------|
| 2010                | 31,104   |
| 2011                | 27,595   |
| 2012                | 24,144   |
| 2013                | 17,898   |
| 2014 and thereafter | 25,508   |
|                | $162,705 |

 

Future minimum rental payments related to equipment leases are not significant. 

 

| **11.** | **Guarantees** |
|---------|----------------|

 

         In October 2007, we entered into a risk sharing agreement (“RSA”) with an unaffiliated lender for private education loans to be provided to our students by or through that lender to help pay the students’ cost of education that student financial aid from federal, state and other sources did not        cover. Under the RSA, if more than a certain percentage of those private education loans, based on dollar volume, are charged off by the lender, we guarantee the repayment of any private education loans that the lender charges off above that percentage. Based on the terms of the RSA, our obligations thereunder will remain in effect until all private education loans made under the RSA are paid in full or charged off by the lender. We will have the right to pursue repayment from the        borrowers for those charged off private education loans under the RSA that we pay to the lender pursuant to our guarantee obligation. The RSA was terminated effective February 22, 2008, such that no private education loans will be made under the RSA after that date.

 

The RSA requires that we comply with certain covenants, including that we maintain certain financial ratios which are measured as of December 31 in each year. If we are not in compliance with those ratios at any measurement date, we are obligated to provide the lender with a letter of credit in an amount based on a percentage of the        outstanding private education loans under the RSA that have not been paid in full or charged off from time to time. We were in compliance with the covenants as of December 31, 2008.

 

The maximum potential future payments that we could be required to make pursuant to our guarantee obligation under the RSA are affected by:

 

| **•** | the amount of the private education loans made under the RSA; |
|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | the fact that those loans will consist of a large number of loans of individually immaterial amounts; |
|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| **•** | the interest and fees associated with those loans;        |   |
|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|--------|
| **•** | the repayment performance of those loans; and             |   |
| **•** | when during the life of those loans they are charged off. |

 

As a result, we are not able to estimate the undiscounted maximum potential future payments that we could be required to make under the RSA. Our recorded liability related to the RSA as of December 31, 2008 was not material.

 

 

F - 23

 

 

 

**SCHEDULE II**

 

 

 

| **ITT EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, INC.**              |
|-------------------------------------------------|
| **VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS**           |
| **FOR THE THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008** |
| **(Amounts in thousands)**                      |
|                                            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
|                                            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
|                                            |   | **Balance at** |   | **Charged** |   |   |   | **Balance** |
|                                            |   | **Beginning** |   | **to** |   |   |   | **at End of** |
| **Description**                                 |   | **of Period** |   | **Expenses** |   | **Write-offs** |   | **Period** |
| Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:                |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Year Ended December 31, 2008                    |   | $5,378 |   | $43,286 |   | ($32,600) |   | $16,064 |
| Year Ended December 31, 2007                    |   | $2,181 |   | $18,599 |   | ($15,402) |   | $5,378 |
| Year Ended December 31, 2006                    |   | $1,118 |   | $10,862 |   | ($9,799) |   | $2,181 |
|                                            |   |   |

 

 

 

F - 24

 

 

 

 

| **ITT EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, INC.**                |
|---------------------------------------------------|
| **QUARTERLY FINANCIAL RESULTS**                   |
| **FOR 2008 AND 2007**                             |
| **(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)** |
| **(Unaudited)**                                   |
|                                              |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
|                                              | **Three Months Ended** |   |   |
|                                              | **March 31** |   | **June 30** |   | **Sept. 30** |   | **Dec. 31** |   | **Year** |
| **2008**                                          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Revenue                                           | $234,850 |   | $246,411 |   | $254,273 |   | $279,799 |   | $1,015,333 |
| Cost of educational services                      | 92,025 |   | 95,183 |   | 95,011 |   | 101,550 |   | 383,769 |
| Student services and administrative expenses      | 74,126 |   | 74,910 |   | 78,500 |   | 76,157 |   | 303,693 |
| Operating income                                  | 68,699 |   | 76,318 |   | 80,762 |   | 102,092 |   | 327,871 |
| Interest income                                   | 2,033 |   | 1,177 |   | 1,565 |   | 1,730 |   | 6,505 |
| Interest (expense)                                | (1,519) |   | (1,057) |   | (1,012) |   | (1,023) |   | (4,611) |
| Income before provision for income taxes          | 69,213 |   | 76,438 |   | 81,315 |   | 102,799 |   | 329,765 |
| Provision for income taxes                        | 26,581 |   | 29,307 |   | 31,129 |   | 39,776 |   | 126,793 |
| Net income                                        | $42,632 |   | $47,131 |   | $50,186 |   | $63,023 |   | $202,972 |
| Earnings per share:                               |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Basic                                             | $1.09 |   | $1.21 |   | $1.29 |   | $1.63 |   | $5.22 |
| Diluted                                           | $1.08 |   | $1.20 |   | $1.28 |   | $1.61 |   | $5.17 |
| **2007**                                          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Revenue                                           | $204,170 |   | $216,982 |   | $217,932 |   | $230,424 |   | $869,508 |
| Cost of educational services                      | 90,770 |   | 90,581 |   | 88,822 |   | 88,428 |   | 358,601 |
| Student services and administrative expenses      | 69,293 |   | 68,725 |   | 66,192 |   | 64,666 |   | 268,876 |
| Operating income                                  | 44,107 |   | 57,676 |   | 62,918 |   | 77,330 |   | 242,031 |
| Interest income                                   | 2,949 |   | 2,800 |   | 2,432 |   | 2,566 |   | 10,747 |
| Interest (expense)                                | (2,105) |   | (2,080) |   | (2,119) |   | (1,988) |   | (8,292) |
| Income before provision for income taxes          | 44,951 |   | 58,396 |   | 63,231 |   | 77,908 |   | 244,486 |
| Provision for income taxes                        | 17,354 |   | 22,538 |   | 23,563 |   | 29,439 |   | 92,894 |
| Net income                                        | $27,597 |   | $35,858 |   | $39,668 |   | $48,469 |   | $151,592 |
| Earnings per share:                               |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Basic                                             | $0.67 |   | $0.89 |   | $0.99 |   | $1.22 |   | $3.77 |
| Diluted                                           | $0.66 |   | $0.87 |   | $0.98 |   | $1.20 |   | $3.71 |
|                                              |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
|                                                   |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

 

 

 

 

 

F - 25

 

 

 

**SIGNATURES**

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

 

ITT Educational Services, Inc.

 

By: /s/ Kevin M. Modany

| Dated: February 18, 2009 | Kevin M. Modany |
|--------------------------|-----------------|

*Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President*

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

| **Signature**             |   | **Title**                                                                                                        |   | **Date**          |
|---------------------------|--------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|-------------------|
|                      |   |                                                                                                             |   |              |
|                      |   |                                                                                                             |   |              |
|                      |   |                                                                                                             |   |              |
| /s/ Kevin M. Modany       |   | Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director (Principal Executive Officer)                          |   | February 18, 2009 |
| Kevin M. Modany           |
|                      |   |                                                                                                             |   |              |
| /s/ Daniel M. Fitzpatrick |   | Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |   | February 18, 2009 |
| Daniel M. Fitzpatrick     |
|                      |   |                                                                                                             |   |              |
| /s/ John F. Cozzi         |   | Director                                                                                                         |   | February 18, 2009 |
| John F. Cozzi             |
|                      |   |                                                                                                             |   |              |
| /s/ John E. Dean          |   | Director                                                                                                         |   | February 18, 2009 |
| John E. Dean              |
|                      |   |                                                                                                             |   |              |
| /s/ James D. Fowler, Jr.  |   | Director                                                                                                         |   | February 18, 2009 |
| James D. Fowler, Jr.      |
|                      |   |                                                                                                             |   |              |
| /s/ Joanna T. Lau         |   | Director                                                                                                         |   | February 18, 2009 |
| Joanna T. Lau             |
|                      |   |                                                                                                             |   |              |
| /s/ Samuel L. Odle        |   | Director                                                                                                         |   | February 18, 2009 |
| Samuel L. Odle            |
|                      |   |                                                                                                             |   |              |
| /s/ Vin Weber             |   | Director                                                                                                         |   | February 18, 2009 |
| Vin Weber                 |
|                      |   |                                                                                                             |   |              |
| /s/ John A. Yena          |   | Director                                                                                                         |   | February 18, 2009 |
| John A. Yena              |

 

 

 

 

 

S - 1

 

 

 

**INDEX TO EXHIBITS**

 

|  

 

**Exhibit**

**No.** |  

 

 

**Description**                                                                                                                               |
|--------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   3.1                           | (1) Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as Amended to Date                                                                                                         |
|   3.2                           | (2) Restated By-Laws, as Amended to Date                                                                                                                              |
| 10.4                                 | (3) Trade Name and Service Mark License Agreement between ITT/ESI and ITT                                                                                             |
| 10.8                                 | * (4) 1997 ITT Educational Services, Inc. Incentive Stock Plan                                                                                                   |
| 10.11                                | (5) Trade Name and Service Mark License Agreement between ITT/ESI and ITT Sheraton Corporation                                                                        |
| 10.14                                | * (6) Restated ESI 401(k) Plan                                                                                                                                        |
| 10.15                                | * (7) ESI Excess Savings Plan – 2008 Restatement                                                                                                                |
| 10.16                                | * First Amendment of ESI 401(k) Plan                                                                                                                                  |
| 10.18                                | (8) First Amendment to Trade Name and Service Mark License Agreement between ITT/ESI and ITT Sheraton Corporation                                                     |
| 10.19                                | *(7) ESI Excess Pension Plan – 2008 Restatement                                                                                                                 |
| 10.20                                | *(9) 1999 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan                                                                                                                         |
| 10.21                                | *(7) ESI Non-Employee Directors Deferred Compensation Plan – 2008Restatement                                                                                    |
| 10.22                                | *(7) ESI Executive Deferred Bonus Compensation Plan – 2008 Restatement                                                                                          |
| 10.23                                | *(6) First Amendment to ESI Excess Pension Plan – 2008 Restatement                                                                                              |
| 10.24                                | (10) Second Amendment to Trade Name and Service Mark License Agreement between ITT/ESI and ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. (assignee of ITT Sheraton Corporation) |
| 10.26                                | * (11) ITT Educational Services, Inc. Senior Executive Severance Plan                                                                                                 |
| 10.30                                | * Restated ESI Pension Plan                                                                                                                                           |
| 10.31                                | * First Amendment of ESI Pension Plan                                                                                                                                 |
| 10.37                                | * (12) First Amendment to the 1999 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan                                                                                                |
| 10.38                                | * (12) First Amendment to the 1997 ITT Educational Services, Inc. Incentive Stock Plan                                                                                |
| 10.42                                | * (13) Second Amendment to the 1999 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan                                                                                               |
| 10.44                                | * (14) 1999 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan-Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement                                                                          |
| 10.45                                | * (14) 1997 ITT Educational Services, Inc. Incentive Stock Plan-Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Award Agreement                                                     |
| 10.47                                | * (15) Third Amendment to the 1999 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan                                                                                                |

 

 

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| 10.48 | * Summary of Certain Director and Executive Compensation                                                                                                           |
|-------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 10.52 | * (16) 1997 ITT Educational Services, Inc. Incentive Stock Plan – Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Award Agreement for November 2, 2005 Award to Executives |
| 10.53 | * (17) Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Award Agreement under the 2006 ITT Educational Services, Inc. Equity Compensation Plan                                    |
| 10.54 | * (18) Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the 2006 ITT Educational Services, Inc. Equity Compensation Plan                                             |
| 10.55 | * (19) 2006 ITT Educational Services, Inc. Equity Compensation Plan                                                                                                |
| 10.57 | * (18) First Amendment to 2006 ITT Educational Services, Inc. EquityCompensation Plan                                                                              |
| 10.58 | * (18) Second Amendment to 1997 ITT Educational Services, Inc. IncentiveStock Plan                                                                                 |
| 10.59 | * (20) Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2006 ITTEducational Services, Inc. Equity Compensation Plan                                         |
| 10.61 | * (20) Second Amendment to 2006 ITT Educational Services, Inc. EquityCompensation Plan                                                                             |
| 10.62 | (21) Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December 17,2007, between ITT Educational Services, Inc. and JPMorgan ChaseBank, N.A.                      |
| 21    | Subsidiaries                                                                                                                                                       |
| 23    | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm                                                                                                           |
| 31.1  | Chief Executive Officer’s Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934                                          |
| 31.2  | Chief Financial Officer’s Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934                                          |
| 32.1  | Chief Executive Officer’s Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350                                                                                   |
| 32.2  | Chief Financial Officer’s Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350                                                                                   |

 

________

*The indicated exhibit is a management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed by Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

 

| (1) | The copy of this exhibit filed as the same exhibit number to ITT/ESI’s 2005 second fiscal quarter report on Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.    |
|-----|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| (2) | The copy of this exhibit filed as the same exhibit number to ITT/ESI’s current report on Form 8-K dated January 19, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference. |
| (3) | The copy of this exhibit filed as the same exhibit number to ITT/ESI’s 1994 Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference.                   |
| (4) | The copy of this exhibit filed as the same exhibit number to ITT/ESI’s 1997 second fiscal quarter report on Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.    |
| (5) | The copy of this exhibit filed as the same exhibit number to ITT/ESI’s 1998 second fiscal quarter report on Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.    |
| (6) | The copy of this exhibit filed as the same exhibit number to ITT/ESI’s 2008 second fiscal quarter report on Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.    |
| (7) | The copy of this exhibit filed as the same exhibit number to ITT/ESI’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference.                   |

 

 

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| (8)    | The copy of this exhibit filed as the same exhibit number to ITT/ESI’s 1998 Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference.                     |
|--------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| (9)    | The copy of this exhibit filed as Exhibit 4.3 to ITT/ESI’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-84871) is incorporated herein by reference. |
| (10)   | The copy of this exhibit filed as the same exhibit number to ITT/ESI’s 2000 third fiscal quarter report on Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.       |
| (11)   | The copy of this exhibit filed as the same exhibit number to ITT/ESI’s 2007 third fiscal quarter report on Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.       |
| (12)   | The copy of this exhibit filed as the same exhibit number to ITT/ESI’s 2003 second fiscal quarter report on Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.      |
| (13)   | The copy of this exhibit filed as the same exhibit number to ITT/ESI’s 2004 first fiscal quarter report on Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.       |
| (14)   | The copy of this exhibit filed as the same exhibit number to ITT/ESI’s 2004 third fiscal quarter report on Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.       |
| (15)   | The copy of this exhibit filed as the same exhibit number to ITT/ESI’s current report on Form 8-K dated January 25, 2005 is incorporated herein by reference.   |
| (16)   | The copy of this exhibit filed as the same exhibit number to ITT/ESI’s current report on Form 8-K dated October 28, 2005 is incorporated herein by reference.   |
| (17)   | The copy of this exhibit filed as the same exhibit number to ITT/ESI’s 2006 first fiscal quarter report on Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.       |
| (18)   | The copy of this exhibit filed as the same exhibit number to ITT/ESI’s 2006 third fiscal quarter report on Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.       |
| (19)   | The copy of this exhibit filed as the same exhibit number to ITT/ESI’s current report on Form 8-K dated May 9, 2006 is incorporated herein by reference.        |
| (20)   | The copy of this exhibit filed as the same exhibit number to ITT/ESI’s 2007 second fiscal quarter report on Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.      |
| (21)   | The copy of this exhibit filed as the same exhibit number to ITT/ESI’s current report on Form 8-K dated December 17, 2007 is incorporated herein by reference.  |
|   | S - 4                                                                                                                                                                 |