Fair Value

Fair value for financial reporting is defined 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 the accounting guidance. Observable inputs are assumptions based on independent market data sources.

The following table sets forth information regarding the recurring fair value measurement of our financial assets as reflected on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2013:


			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
			(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Description	As of March 31, 2013		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
Cash equivalents:
Money market fund	$	204,838	$	204,838	$	0	$	0
Restricted cash:
Money market fund		3,374		3,374		0		0
Other assets:
Money market fund		8,623		8,623		0		0

	$	216,835	$	216,835	$	0	$	0

The following table sets forth information regarding the fair value measurement of our financial assets as of March 31, 2012:


			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
			(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Description	As of March 31, 2012		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds	$	169,263	$	169,263	$	0	$	0
Short-term investments:
U.S. Treasury obligations		80,445		80,445		0		0
Government agency obligations		17,022		0		17,022		0
Corporate obligations		17,339		0		17,339		0
Restricted cash:
Money market fund		6,506		6,506		0		0
Other assets:
Money market fund		8,619		8,619		0		0

	$	299,194	$	264,833	$	34,361	$	0

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.

The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other current liabilities approximate fair value because of the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. Investments classified as available-for-sale as of March 31, 2012 were recorded at their market value. We did not have any financial assets or liabilities recorded at estimated fair value on a non-recurring basis in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2013 or 2012.

As of March 31, 2013, each of the carrying value and the estimated fair value of the PEAKS Trust Student Loans was approximately $112,372. The fair value of the PEAKS Trust Student Loans was estimated using the income approach with estimated discounted expected cash flows. We utilized inputs that were unobservable in determining the estimated fair value of the PEAKS Trust Student Loans. The significant inputs used in determining the estimated fair value included the default rate, repayment rate and discount rate. Fair value measurements that utilize significant unobservable inputs are categorized as Level 3 measurements under the accounting guidance.

Each of the carrying value and the estimated fair value of the notes receivable and other receivables included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets or Other assets on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet was approximately $2,200 as of March 31, 2013, $9,600 as of December 31, 2012 and $19,000 as of March 31, 2012. We estimated the fair value of the notes receivable and other receivables by discounting the future cash flows using current rates for similar arrangements. The assumptions used in this estimate are considered unobservable inputs. Fair value measurements that utilize significant unobservable inputs are categorized as Level 3 measurements under the accounting guidance.

Each of the carrying value and the estimated fair value of our debt under our credit agreement was approximately $150,000 as of March 31, 2013, $140,000 as of December 31, 2012 and $175,000 as of March 31, 2012. The fair value of our debt under our credit agreement was estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current rates for similar loans with similar characteristics and remaining maturities. We utilized inputs that were observable or were principally derived from observable market data to estimate the fair value of our debt under our credit agreement. Fair value measurements that utilize significant other observable inputs are categorized as Level 2 measurements under the accounting guidance.

As of March 31, 2013, the carrying value of the PEAKS Senior Debt was approximately $227,016. The estimated fair value of the PEAKS Senior Debt was approximately $226,100 as of March 31, 2013. The fair value of the PEAKS Senior Debt was estimated using the income approach with estimated discounted cash flows. We utilized inputs that were unobservable in determining the estimated fair value of the PEAKS Senior Debt. The significant input used in determining the estimated fair value was the discount rate utilized for both credit and liquidity purposes. Fair value measurements that utilize significant unobservable inputs are categorized as Level 3 measurements under the accounting guidance.