Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill) (Details 1) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	$ 1,481,489
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(358,535)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	1,122,954
Acquisitions	42,632
Dispositions	(412)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	14,257
Goodwill, ending balance	1,537,966
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(358,535)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	1,179,431
Education [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	1,111,003
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(350,850)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	760,153
Acquisitions	20,851
Dispositions	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	14,257
Goodwill, ending balance	1,146,111
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(350,850)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	795,261
Education [Member] | Higher Education [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	389,720
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(248,591)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	141,129
Acquisitions	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	28
Goodwill, ending balance	389,748
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(248,591)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	141,157
Education [Member] | Test Preparation [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	166,098
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(102,259)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	63,839
Acquisitions	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0
Goodwill, ending balance	166,098
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(102,259)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	63,839
Education [Member] | Kaplan International [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	555,185
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	555,185
Acquisitions	20,851
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	14,229
Goodwill, ending balance	590,265
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	590,265
Television Broadcasting [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	168,345
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	168,345
Acquisitions	21,781
Dispositions	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0
Goodwill, ending balance	190,126
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	190,126
Other Businesses [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	202,141
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(7,685)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	194,456
Acquisitions	0
Dispositions	(412)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0
Goodwill, ending balance	201,729
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(7,685)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	$ 194,044