Intangible Assets And Goodwill (Intangible Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015
Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount	$ 105,690	$ 105,675
Definite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(78,494)	(75,226)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net carrying amount	27,196	30,449
Intangible assets, gross carrying amount	128,690	128,675
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(78,494)	(75,226)
Intangible assets, net carrying amount	50,196	53,449
Covey Trade Name [Member]
Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Covey trade name	23,000	23,000
Intangible assets, net carrying amount	23,000	23,000
License Rights [Member]
Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount	27,000	27,000
Definite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(16,790)	(15,852)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net carrying amount	10,210	11,148
Acquired Curriculum [Member]
Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount	58,564	58,549
Definite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(42,175)	(40,587)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net carrying amount	16,389	17,962
Customer Lists [Member]
Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount	16,827	16,827
Definite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(16,529)	(16,303)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net carrying amount	298	524
Internally Developed Software [Member]
Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount	2,049	2,049
Definite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(2,049)	(1,708)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net carrying amount		341
Trade Names [Member]
Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount	1,250	1,250
Definite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	(951)	(776)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net carrying amount	$ 299	$ 474