Severance and Exit Costs (Detail) - Schedule of accrued severance (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010	May 31, 2011
Beginning balance	$ 1.9	$ 3.4	$ 3.4
Accruals	8.3	3.1	6.7
Payments	(7.8)	(5.6)	(8.2)
Ending balance	$ 2.4	$ 0.9	$ 1.9

The charge against earnings in the period for known and estimated costs of termination benefits provided to current employees that are terminated under a benefit arrangement associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a duly authorized plan, excluding costs or losses pertaining to an entity newly acquired in a business combination or a discontinued operation as defined by generally accepted accounting principles and costs associated with one-time termination benefits.

No definition available.

Name:	schl_Severance
Namespace Prefix:	schl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration