Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2013	Mar. 26, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Face amount of surety bonds			$ 20,000	$ 20,000
Other claims and contingencies			81,235	81,235	123,439	44,247	36,028
Recorded liability claims and contingencies included in Other current liabilities			43,314	43,314
Recorded liability claims and contingencies included in Other liabilities			37,921	37,921
Amount claimed as offset against note receivable			8,023	8,023
Payment under settlement agreement	46,000
Life of private education loan made under RSAs				10 years
Range of possible losses less than amount accrued			9,000	9,000
Range of possible losses greater than portion accrued			41,000	41,000
Litigation Settlement award		395
PEAKS senior debt maturity date				2020-01
Face value of Subordinated Note			73,000	73,000	73,000	73,400
Guarantee payment expected net of accrued discount			7,800	7,800	6,700
Maximum future payments for PEAKS senior debt				256,000
Offset amounts relating to guarantee obligations			47	8,023
Amounts relating to election under discharge obligation			6,800	6,800
PEAKS Program [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Other claims and contingencies			40,000	40,000
2009 RSA [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Other claims and contingencies			32,910	32,910
Other claims and contingencies [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Other claims and contingencies			8,325	8,325
Minimum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Other liabilities repayment period				7 years
Maximum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Other liabilities repayment period				10 years
Education Loan Under 2009 Loan Program [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Principal amount for private education loans			$ 141,000	$ 141,000
Obligation repayment term (in Years)				10 years