Accounts receivable Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Total Accumulated other comprehensive loss Reconciliation of accumulated other comprehensive income [Abstract] Acquisitions, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Additional paid-in-capital Earned royalty advances Depreciation of technology, property and equipment Amortization of intangibles Restricted Stock [Member] Stock Options [Member] Basic (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Inscape acquisition contributed Balance at Beginning of Period Balance at End of Period Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Interest Change in book overdrafts Class B Common [Member] Common Stock Class B [Member] Class A & Class B common stock Comprehensive Income/(Loss) Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] Cost of sales Foreign currency translation adjustment Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Total Current Liabilities Liabilities, Current Current Liabilities Customer relationships [Member] Deferred tax benefits on U.K. rate changes Non-cash deferred tax benefit associated with new tax legislation enacted in the U.K. Deferred Income Tax Liabilities Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Deferred revenue Derivative, Name [Domain] Fair value of derivative instrument Fixed interest rate (in hundredths) Interest rate swap agreements designated as fully effective cash flow hedges at end of period Derivative, by Nature [Axis] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Derivative [Line Items] Derivative [Table] Diluted (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Sale of Travel Business and Subsequent Event Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block] Segment that includes 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Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Financing Activities Cash Used for Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Investing Activities Cash Used for Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Operating Activities Net income Net Income Net Income Decrease for the Period Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Covenants not to compete [Member] Noncompete Agreements [Member] Operating Income Operating Income (Loss) Revenue Revenue Net change in operating assets and liabilities, excluding acquisitions Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net Unamortized retirement costs, net of tax Foreign currency translation adjustment Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps, net of tax USD equivalent of the deposit and accrued interest Interest Income and Other Cash dividends Payments of Dividends, Common Stock Pension plan contributions Pension expense, net of contributions Defined Benefit Retirement Plans Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Recognized Net Actuarial Loss Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses) Net Amortization of Prior Service Cost Defined benefit plans, net periodic benefit cost [Abstract] Accrued pension liability Expected Return on Plan Assets Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets Interest Cost Net Pension Expense Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost Service Cost Borrowings of long-term debt Proceeds from exercise of stock options and other Technology, Property & Equipment Additions to technology, property and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Paper, Cloth, and Other Other Inventory, Purchased Goods Repayment of long-term debt Repayments of Long-term Debt Purchase of treasury stock Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Restructuring charges Restructuring Charges Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Remaining liability Severance payments Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash Retained earnings Components of net periodic pension expense for defined benefit plans Inventories Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Schedule of share-based compensation data for awards granted Segment Information Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Segment information Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Awards granted (in thousands) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period Weighted average fair value of grant (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Awards granted (in thousands) Weighted average fair value of grant (in dollars per share) Expected dividend yield (in hundredths) Expected life of options (in years) Expected volatility (in hundredths) Risk-free interest rate (in hundredths) Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Type and Plan Name [Axis] Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Award Type and Plan Name [Domain] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - UNAUDITED [Abstract] Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation Total Current Assets Assets, Current Current Assets Expected tax benefits Diluted (in shares) Shares used for diluted earnings per share (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Basic (in shares) Shares used for basic earnings per share (in shares) Less: Unearned restricted shares (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares, Restricted Stock Goodwill held for sale Reclassification Total Assets Assets Intangible Assets Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Other accrued liabilities Other Long-Term Liabilities Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table] Share-Based Compensation Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping, Disclosure Item Amounts [Axis] Fair Value, Disclosure Item Amounts [Domain] Fair value, fair value disclosure [Member] Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Statement [Table] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Assets: Statement [Line Items] Treasury stock Treasury Stock, Value Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps, net of tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax Unamortized retirement costs, net of tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net of Tax Class A Common [Member] Common Stock Class A [Member] Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Operating Activities Change in deferred revenue Other Assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Operating and administrative expenses Anti-dilutive shares excluded for diluted EPS calculation (in shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, by Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Costs and Expenses Operating Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Total restructuring charge Restructuring Reserve, Period Expense Income Before Taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Total Shareholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Provision For Income Taxes Foreign Exchange Transaction Gains/(Losses) Common stock (in dollars per share) Content and Publishing Rights [Member] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Restructuring charges, net of tax Restructuring Costs and Asset Impairment Charges Statement, Business Segments [Axis] Total Costs and Expenses Costs and Expenses Weighted-average Black Scholes fair value assumptions by stock option grants [Abstract] Variable rate loans outstanding Reconciliation of Weighted Average Shares Outstanding Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Weighted average shares outstanding (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Issued, Basic Accrued income taxes Shareholders' Equity Hedging Relationship [Domain] Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash used for operating activities: Accounts and royalties payable Accrued employment costs Employee-related Liabilities, Current Other Comprehensive Income /(Loss): Total Other Comprehensive Loss Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Accrued Pension Liability Prepaid and other Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Recent Accounting Standards Description of New Accounting Pronouncements Not yet Adopted [Text Block] Segment [Domain] Corporate/Shared Services [Member] Unallocated Amount to Segment [Member] Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis Cash and Cash Equivalents Schedule of intangible assets Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Table Text Block] Weighted average number of shares outstanding reconciliation Inventories Income Taxes [Abstract] Intangible Assets [Abstract] Inventories [Abstract] Defined Benefit Retirement Plans [Abstract] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract] Restructuring Charges [Abstract ] Basis of Presentation Basis of Accounting [Text Block] Reconciliation of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items] Sale of Travel Business and Subsequent Event [Abstract] Segment Information [Abstract] Other non-cash charges Other Noncash Income (Expense) Inception date Expiration date Derivative Instrument Risk [Axis] Notional amount of derivative liability Forward exchange contracts [Member] Interest expense [Member] Foreign exchange transaction losses [Member] Cash flow hedge [Member] Not designated as hedging instrument [Member] Income Statement and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Location [Domain] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Hedging Relationship [Axis] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Income Statement Location [Axis] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Hedging Relationship, by Income Statement Location, by Derivative Instrument Risk [Table] Net losses reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Losses)/gains recognized on derivative instruments Derivative Contract Type [Domain] Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Period End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Type Document and Entity Information [Abstract] CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION [Abstract] Product development assets consist of composition costs and royalty advances to authors. Composition costs, primarily represent the costs incurred to bring an edited commercial manuscript to publication including typesetting, proofreading, design and illustration, etc. Royalty advances to authors are capitalized and, upon publication, are recovered as royalties earned by the authors based on sales of the published works. Product Development Assets CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME [Abstract] Reflects the increase in tax deposit receivable related to payment made to the German tax authorities. Income taxes deposit Income taxes deposit Forward based contracts dated March 2012 in which two parties agree to swap periodic payments that are fixed at the outset of the swap contract with variable payments based on a market interest rate (index rate) over a specified period. This interest rate swap agreement fixed a portion of the variable interest due on the variable rate loans outstanding. March 2012 Interest rate swap (variable rate loans) [Member] Income Per Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share Cash Dividends Per Share [Abstract] Cash Dividends Per Share Averge Shares [Abstract] Average Shares CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS [Abstract] The charge against earnings in the period representing the amortization of composition costs. Amortization Of Composition Costs Amortization of composition costs The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in royalty advances paid. Royalty Advances Royalty advances The cash outflow for composition costs and royalty advances. Additions To Product Development Assets Composition spending Forward based contracts dated August 2010 in which two parties agree to swap periodic payments that are fixed at the outset of the swap contract with variable payments based on a market interest rate (index rate) over a specified period. This interest rate swap agreement fixed a portion of the variable interest due on the variable rate loans outstanding. August 2010 Interest rate swap (variable rate loans) [Member] Cash Paid During Period For [Abstract] Cash Paid During the Period for: Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Recent Accounting Standards [Abstract] Reconciliation of Weighted Average Shares Outstanding [Abstract] Share based compensation data for awards granted by the Company [Abstract] Forward based contracts in which two parties agree to swap periodic payments that are fixed at the outset of the swap contract with variable payments based on a market interest rate (index rate) over a specified period. This interest rate swap agreement fixed the variable interest due on the term loan. Interest rate swap (term loan) [Member] Forward based contracts in which two parties agree to swap periodic payments that are fixed at the outset of the swap contract with variable payments based on a market interest rate (index rate) over a specified period. This interest rate swap agreement fixed a portion of the variable interest due on the revolving credit facility. Interest rate swap (revolving credit facility) [Member] Forward based contracts in which two parties agree to swap periodic payments that are fixed at the outset of the swap contract with variable payments based on a market interest rate (index rate) over a specified period. This interest rate swap agreement fixed a portion of the variable interest due on the variable rate loans outstanding. Interest rate swap (variable rate loans) [Member] The number of interest rate swap agreements that were designated as fully effective cash flow hedges and that expired during the fiscal period. Interest rate swap agreements designated as fully effective cash flow hedges that expired during the fiscal period The period after which the variable interest rate is reset based on the reference rate (e.g., LIBOR, U.S. Treasury Rate). During the term of the derivative instrument, the variable interest rate will be reset at regular intervals corresponding to this reset period. Basis Of Variable Interest Rate Reference Rate Reset Period Basis of variable interest rate, reference rate reset period (in months) Element defines deferred loss on interest rate swap recorded as Other Accrued Liabilities. Deferred Loss On Interest Rate Swap recorded as Other Accrued Liabilities Element defines deferred loss on interest rate swap recorded as Other Long Term Liabilities. Deferred Loss On Interest Rate Swap Recorded As Other Long Term Liabilities The term of the derivative instrument which may be presented in a variety of ways (e.g., years, months). Term Of Derivative Instrument Schedule of Intangible Assets, net (Excluding goodwill) [Table] The aggregate sum of gross carrying value of a major finite or infinite-lived intangible asset class, less accumulated amortization and any impairment charges. Finite and indefinite lived intangible assets by life category [Axis] The two types of intangible assets by life category (excluding goodwill). Finite and indefinite lived intangible assets by life category [Domain] Indefinite-lived intangible assets. Indefinite lived intangible assets [Member] Finite-lived intangible assets. Finite lived intangible assets [Member] Finite and indefinite-lived intangible assets by major class name. Finite and indefinite lived intangible assets by major class name [Axis] Finite and indefinite-lived intangible assets by major class name Finite and indefinite lived intangible assets by major class name [Domain] The rights acquired through registration of a trademark to gain or protect exclusive use of a business name, symbol or other device or style. Brands and trademarks [Member] Schedule of Intangible Assets, net (Excluding goodwill) [Line Items] The change during the period in the entity's deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to continuing operations as determined by applying enacted tax laws on a per share basis. Non-cash deferred tax benefit associated with new tax legislation enacted in the U.K. (per share) Non-cash deferred tax benefit associated with new tax legislation enacted in the U.K. (in dollars per share) Reduction of corporate income tax rates associated with new tax legislation enacted in the United Kingdom. Corporate Income Tax Rate Reduction Due To New Tax Legislation Reduction in U.K. statutory income tax rates (in hundredths) A ratio calculated by dividing the reported amount of income tax expense attributable to continuing operations for the period, excluding tax benefits due to new tax legislation enacted, by GAAP-basis pretax income from continuing operations. Effective Tax Rate Continuing Operations Excluding Tax Benefits Due To New Tax Legislation Enacted Effective tax rate excluding excluding the tax benefits due to new tax legislation enacted in the U.K. (in hundredths) Refers to Number of Years for amortization. Number of Years for amortization Number of years for amortization Refers to percentage o f simple interest on refund. Percentage of Simple Interest on Refund Percentage of simple interest on refund (in hundredths) Refers to Additional amounts required in future periods to resolve issue.. Additional amounts required in future periods to resolve issue. The fair value per share of common stock on grant date used in the weighted average fair value assumptions for stock option grants. Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award fair value assumptions fair value of common stock on grant date Fair value of common stock on grant date (in dollars per share) The number of operating segments separately reported by the company. Number of operating segments The scientific, technical, medical and scholarly component of the entity. Scientific, Technical, Medical and Scholarly [Member] The professional and trade component of the entity. Professional and Trade [Member] Professional/Trade [Member] The global education component of the entity. Global Education [Member] The components of the company's shared services and administrative costs. Components of Shared Services and Administration Costs [Axis] The components of the company's shared services and administrative costs. Components Of Shared Services And Administration Costs [Domain] The distribution component of the entity's shared service and admnistrative costs. Distribution [Member] The technology component of the entity's shared service and admnistrative costs. Technology Services [Member] Contribution margin as determined under the variable costing method. Direct Contribution To Profit Direct contribution to profit Corporate headquarter items not allocated to segments. Shared Services And Administration Costs Unallocated Shared Services and Administrative Costs Corporate headquarter items allocated to segments. Allocated Shared Services and Administrative Costs The distribution component of the entity's shared service and admnistrative costs. Occupancy and Other [Member] The distribution component of the entity's shared service and admnistrative costs. Contribution to Profit [Member] The proceeds resulting from the sale of a disposal group that is not a discontinued operation. Proceeds From Sale Of Disposal Group Sale price Contribution profit as determined under the variable costing method. Contribution to Profit Percentage of deferred tax balance. Percentage of Deferred Tax Balance Corporate income tax rate, U.K. (in hundredths) Amount of deposit related to amortization. Deposit Related to Amortization Deposit related to amortization