Stock-Based Compensation (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-Based Compensation Expense from Continuing Operations	$ 93	$ 77	$ 51
Director deferred stock ownership plan amount to be credited to deferred stock accounts	0.5
Stock option Requisite service period	2 years
Maximum term of stock option	10 years
Percentage of stock option compensation costs ratably recognized	50.00%
Total fair value of stock options, vested	21	18	20
Excess tax benefits from stock options exercised reported in cash flows	42	20	2
McGraw Hill Education [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock based compensation from discontinued operations	16	19	14
Group of Individuals Transferred to MHE [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-Based Compensation Expense from Continuing Operations	$ 5	$ 4	$ 2

Director Deferred Stock Ownership Plan Amount to be credited to deferred stock accounts.

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- Definition

Percentage of stock option compensation costs ratably recognized.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Term

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Share-based compensation expense from continuing operations.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Share-Based Compensation Expense From Discontinued Operations

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount of excess tax benefit (tax deficiency) that arises when compensation cost from non-qualified share-based compensation recognized on the entity's tax return exceeds (is less than) compensation cost from equity-based compensation recognized in financial statements. Excess tax benefit (tax deficiency) increases (decreases) net cash provided by financing activities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 20

-Section 55

-Paragraph 24

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6576910&loc=d3e11374-113907

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- Definition

Estimated period over which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the equity-based payment award, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

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- Definition

Amount of difference between fair value of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise prices of fully vested and expected to vest options outstanding.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (e)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph d(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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