Intangible Assets And Goodwill (Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount	$ 105,380	$ 100,772
Definite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(67,726)	(64,567)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net carrying amount	37,654	36,205
Intangible assets, gross carrying amount	128,380	123,772
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(67,726)	(64,567)
Intangible assets, net carrying amount	60,654	59,205
Trade Names [Member]
Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Covey trade name	23,000	23,000
License Rights [Member]
Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount	27,000	27,000
Definite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(13,978)	(13,041)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net carrying amount	13,022	13,959
Acquired Curriculum [Member]
Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount	58,427	58,284
Definite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(37,550)	(36,052)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net carrying amount	20,877	22,232
Customer Lists [Member]
Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount	16,685	15,111
Definite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(15,426)	(15,097)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net carrying amount	1,259	14
Internally Developed Software [Member]
Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount	2,049
Definite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(341)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net carrying amount	1,708
Trade Names [Member]
Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount	1,219	377
Definite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(431)	(377)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net carrying amount	$ 788