Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill) (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	$ 1,396,963
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(108,341)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	1,288,622
Acquisitions	5,608
Reclassification to assets held for sale	(60,205)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	7,924
Goodwill, ending balance	1,350,290
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(108,341)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	1,241,949
Education [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	1,073,433
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(102,259)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	971,174
Acquisitions	5,608
Reclassification to assets held for sale	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	7,924
Goodwill, ending balance	1,086,965
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(102,259)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	984,706
Higher Education [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	409,016
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	409,016
Acquisitions	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(76)
Goodwill, ending balance	408,940
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	408,940
Test Preparation [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	152,187
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(102,259)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	49,928
Acquisitions	5,608
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0
Goodwill, ending balance	157,795
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(102,259)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	55,536
Kaplan International [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	512,230
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	512,230
Acquisitions	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	8,000
Goodwill, ending balance	520,230
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	520,230
Cable Television [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	85,488
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	85,488
Acquisitions	0
Reclassification to assets held for sale	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0
Goodwill, ending balance	85,488
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	85,488
Television Broadcasting [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	203,165
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	203,165
Acquisitions	0
Reclassification to assets held for sale	(60,205)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0
Goodwill, ending balance	142,960
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	142,960
Other Businesses [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	34,877
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(6,082)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	28,795
Acquisitions	0
Reclassification to assets held for sale	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0
Goodwill, ending balance	34,877
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(6,082)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	$ 28,795