INCOME TAX (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Effective tax rate from discontinued operations	(2.20%)	56.90%	(5.00%)
Effective income tax rates from continuing operations	34.00%	28.10%	35.60%
Statutory tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Change in valuation allowance	$ 12,305	$ 19,978	$ 5,334
Tax benefit related to investment in subsidiary	0	0	(6,292)
Net Income tax payments (refunds)	61,000	11,800	(7,600)
Indefinitely reinvested foreign earnings	463,200
Unrecognized tax benefits	27,349	27,349	28,551	$ 27,384
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	12,000		$ 13,300
Accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits	4,200	3,400
Possible decrease in unrecognized tax benefits	17,800
Possible decrease to the provision for income taxes	2,500
State
Net operating losses carry forward	304,500
Foreign
Net operating losses carry forward	219,500
Valuation allowance, net operating loss carryforwards
Valuation allowance against deferred tax assets	$ 10,200	$ 20,900
POLAND
Foreign income tax rate		19.00%