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Stock-Based Compensation (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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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

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- Definition Director Deferred Stock Ownership Plan Amount to be credited to deferred stock accounts. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Percentage of stock option compensation costs ratably recognized. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Term + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Share-Based Compensation Expense From Discontinued Operations + References No definition available. + Details
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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 + Details
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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 Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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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. + Details
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