Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Operating activities:
Net income	$ 111,218	$ 147,399
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Share-based compensation	22,510	27,515
Depreciation and amortization	73,803	85,194
Accelerated depreciation included in restructuring	4,316	30,641
Gain on disposition	(1,984)	0
Non-cash foreign currency loss, net	596	146
Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable	25,512	52,308
Litigation charge (credit), net	9,000	(23,200)
Deferred income taxes	(6,255)	(4,100)
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the impact of acquisition and disposition:
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	(24,165)	(11,438)
Accounts receivable	(6,469)	(33,919)
Prepaid taxes	15,230	16,143
Other assets	(11,445)	(3,939)
Accounts payable	(11,454)	1,094
Student deposits	17,409	2,551
Deferred revenue	32,881	8,632
Accrued and other liabilities	(57,219)	3,923
Net cash provided by operating activities	193,484	298,950
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(58,119)	(49,024)
Purchases of marketable securities	(227,978)	(39,444)
Maturities of marketable securities	105,237	7,470
Acquisition, net of cash acquired	94,937	0
Other investing activities	(3,446)	1,500
Net cash used in investing activities	(272,351)	(82,498)
Financing activities:
Payments on borrowings	(619,268)	(629,544)
Proceeds from borrowings	0	2,176
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	0	(42,500)
Purchases of stock for treasury	(72,237)	(3,881)
Issuances of stock	1,793	2,131
Net cash used in financing activities	(689,712)	(671,618)
Exchange rate effect on cash and cash equivalents	34	(46)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(768,545)	(455,212)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,414,485	1,276,375
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	645,940	821,163
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow and non-cash information:
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	70,868	100,713
Cash paid for interest	3,911	4,010
Restricted stock units vested and released	7,104	10,825
Capital lease additions	0	2,755
Credits received for tenant improvements	$ 0	$ 1,540