Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Operating activities:
Net income	$ 204,798	$ 248,965	$ 417,006
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Share-based compensation	42,819	49,462	78,705
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	(1,285)	(17)	(1,150)
Depreciation and amortization	150,575	161,733	178,234
Accelerated depreciation and impairments included in restructuring	7,580	62,267	0
Loss (gain) on asset dispositions and write-offs, net	556	8,190	(26,678)
Goodwill and other intangibles impairment	0	0	16,788
Non-cash foreign currency loss (gain), net	957	220	(497)
Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable	53,819	83,798	146,742
Deferred income taxes	(13,912)	(29,517)	21,850
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the impact of acquisitions and business dispositions:
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	37,233	59,160	61,073
Accounts receivable	(61,435)	(103,369)	(129,773)
Prepaid taxes	(2,890)	(3,985)	9,303
Other assets	6,072	(19,514)	(11,568)
Accounts payable	(11,950)	(1,775)	12,525
Student deposits	(30,738)	(52,587)	(58,740)
Deferred revenue	657	(39,091)	(39,154)
Accrued and other liabilities	(6,949)	54,108	(123,366)
Net cash provided by operating activities	375,907	478,048	551,300
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(100,666)	(119,348)	(115,187)
Purchases of marketable securities	(319,079)	(208,878)	0
Maturities of marketable securities	188,276	65,074	0
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(119,454)	0	(73,736)
Proceeds from dispositions, net	0	0	76,434
Other investing activities	606	(1,500)	(1,694)
Net cash used in investing activities	(350,317)	(264,652)	(114,183)
Financing activities:
Payments on borrowings	(627,822)	(636,387)	(562,269)
Proceeds from borrowings	591,131	610,236	629,145
Share repurchases	(172,709)	(9,537)	(811,913)
Share reissuances	1,793	3,867	11,949
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	(893)	(42,500)	0
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	1,285	17	1,150
Other financing activities	(4,143)	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(211,358)	(74,304)	(731,938)
Exchange rate effect on cash and cash equivalents	96	(982)	(468)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(185,672)	138,110	(295,289)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	1,414,485	1,276,375	1,571,664
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	1,228,813	1,414,485	1,276,375
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow and non-cash information
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	161,163	201,055	246,824
Cash paid for interest	7,657	7,869	9,794
Restricted stock units vested and released	37,430	27,054	36,182
Credits received for tenant improvements	1,131	6,049	27,009
Capital lease additions	0	3,500	44,145
Debt incurred for acquired technology	$ 0	$ 0	$ 14,389