Related Party Transactions (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2008	Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2009	May. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Total revenue		$ 209,941,000	$ 205,165,000		$ 190,924,000
Net loss		11,116,000	18,067,000		14,319,000
Annual contingent payment		262,000	6,167,000		4,185,000
Red Tree, Inc [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Purchase price in cash			500,000
Total revenue				$ 1,300,000
Net loss				$ (100,000)
CoveyLink Worldwide, LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Purchase price in cash							$ 1,000,000
Total initial purchase price							$ 1,200,000
Annual contingent payment		3,500,000	2,200,000
Additional annual contingent payment		300,000
FC Organizational Products, LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Investment	$ 1,800,000
Percent voting interest in FCOP	19.50%
Capital contribution	$ 1,000,000
Percent return on capital contribution	10.00%
Discount on receivable from related party		1,000,000				$ 1,400,000		$ 500,000	$ 2,100,000
Additional discount charge from related parties			600,000
Percent discount on long-term portion of note receivable						15.00%
Payable to FCOP		50,000	300,000
Impairment of related-party receivable			400,000
Receivable from FCOP		4,000,000	5,100,000					$ 200,000
Intellectual Property [Member] | Stephen M.R. Covey [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Royalty payments		1,400,000	1,500,000		1,400,000
Speaking Fees [Member] | Son Of The Former Vice-Chairman Of The Board Of Directors [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Royalty payments		1,000,000	1,000,000		700,000
Accrued royalties payable		700,000	600,000
Sale Of Books [Member] | Son Of The Former Vice-Chairman Of The Board Of Directors [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Royalty payments		200,000	200,000		300,000
Accrued royalties payable		200,000	200,000
Sale Of Books [Member] | Former Vice-Chairman Of The Board Of Directors [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Royalty payments		100,000	300,000		$ 700,000
Accrued royalties payable		$ 100,000	$ 0