Discontinued Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2016	Nov. 30, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 29, 2016	Feb. 28, 2015	Aug. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 0			$ 0		$ 40,897
Total liabilities	0			0		40,897
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0		$ (10,442)	(3,259)	$ (12,720)
Carnegie Learning [Member]
Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash						10,220
Accounts receivable, net						10,327
Property and equipment, net						15,912
Intangible assets, net						14,100
Other						3,972
Allowance for reduction of assets of business held for sale						(13,634)
Total assets						40,897
Deferred revenue						35,602
Other						5,295
Total liabilities						$ 40,897
Net revenue	0		3,469	2,993	7,996
Intangibles impairment	0		12,999	0	12,999
Loss on sale	0	$ 2,773	0	2,773	0
Other	0		(7,521)	(4,519)	(15,713)
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes	0		(17,051)	(4,299)	(20,716)
Benefit from income taxes	0		6,609	1,040	7,996
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 0		$ (10,442)	$ (3,259)	$ (12,720)