Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
Feb. 29, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes We have historically determined our interim income tax provision by applying our estimated effective income tax rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year to our income before income taxes for the period. Our effective income tax rate is dependent upon several factors, such as tax rates in state and foreign jurisdictions and the relative amount of income we earn in such jurisdictions. In determining our full year estimate, we do not include the estimated impact of unusual and/or infrequent items, which may cause significant variations in the customary relationship between income tax expense and income before income taxes. We exercise significant judgment in determining our income tax provision due to transactions, credits and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. As further discussed in Note 7, Goodwill and Intangibles, there is significant uncertainty associated with University of Phoenix’s future operating results due to competitive factors and its initiatives to transform itself into a more focused, higher retaining and less complex institution. Based primarily on this uncertainty, we used the discrete method to calculate our interim tax provision for the interim periods in fiscal year 2016. Under the discrete method, we determined our tax expense for the interim periods based on actual results as if the interim periods were an annual period, which we believe provides a more reasonable interim income tax provision than the continued use of the estimated annual effective tax rate method. Our effective income tax rate for continuing operations for the six months ended February 29, 2016 was also significantly impacted by the goodwill impairment charge for our University of Phoenix reporting unit, which was not deductible for tax purposes. During fiscal year 2015, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) completed its review of our United States federal income tax return for fiscal year 2014. Our United States federal income tax return for fiscal year 2013 is currently open for review by the IRS and we are also participating in the IRS’s Compliance Assurance Process for fiscal years 2015 and 2016, which is a voluntary program in which taxpayers seek to resolve all or most issues with the IRS prior to or soon after filing their United States federal income tax returns. Additionally, we are subject to numerous ongoing audits by state, local and foreign tax authorities with various tax years as early as 2007 that remain subject to examination. Although we believe our tax accruals are reasonable, the final determination of tax returns under review or returns that may be reviewed in the future and any related litigation could result in tax liabilities that materially differ from our historical income tax provisions and accruals.

Income Taxes

We have historically determined our interim income tax provision by applying our estimated effective income tax rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year to our income before income taxes for the period. Our effective income tax rate is dependent upon several factors, such as tax rates in state and foreign jurisdictions and the relative amount of income we earn in such jurisdictions. In determining our full year estimate, we do not include the estimated impact of unusual and/or infrequent items, which may cause significant variations in the customary relationship between income tax expense and income before income taxes. We exercise significant judgment in determining our income tax provision due to transactions, credits and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain.

As further discussed in Note 7, Goodwill and Intangibles, there is significant uncertainty associated with University of Phoenix’s future operating results due to competitive factors and its initiatives to transform itself into a more focused, higher retaining and less complex institution. Based primarily on this uncertainty, we used the discrete method to calculate our interim tax provision for the interim periods in fiscal year 2016. Under the discrete method, we determined our tax expense for the interim periods based on actual results as if the interim periods were an annual period, which we believe provides a more reasonable interim income tax provision than the continued use of the estimated annual effective tax rate method. Our effective income tax rate for continuing operations for the six months ended February 29, 2016 was also significantly impacted by the goodwill impairment charge for our University of Phoenix reporting unit, which was not deductible for tax purposes.

During fiscal year 2015, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) completed its review of our United States federal income tax return for fiscal year 2014. Our United States federal income tax return for fiscal year 2013 is currently open for review by the IRS and we are also participating in the IRS’s Compliance Assurance Process for fiscal years 2015 and 2016, which is a voluntary program in which taxpayers seek to resolve all or most issues with the IRS prior to or soon after filing their United States federal income tax returns. Additionally, we are subject to numerous ongoing audits by state, local and foreign tax authorities with various tax years as early as 2007 that remain subject to examination.

Although we believe our tax accruals are reasonable, the final determination of tax returns under review or returns that may be reviewed in the future and any related litigation could result in tax liabilities that materially differ from our historical income tax provisions and accruals.