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Acquisitions and Dispositions of Businesses (Dispositions and Other) (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | ---
Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2019 USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) business | Jun. 30, 2019 USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gain (loss) on sales of businesses |  |  | $ 232 |  | $ 1,334 |  | $ 421 | $ 7,241
Gain Related to Contingent Consideration |  |  |  |  | 1,400 |  |  |
Change in redemption value of manditorily redeemable noncontrolling interest |  |  |  | $ (54) |  |  |  |
Education [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gain (loss) on sales of businesses |  |  |  |  |  | $ 5,900 |  |
Number of businesses disposed | business |  |  |  |  |  | 2 |  |
Education [Member] | Higher Education [Member] | Kaplan University Transaction [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gain (loss) on sales of businesses |  |  |  |  |  | $ 4,300 |  |
Gain Related to Contingent Consideration |  |  | $ 200 |  | $ 1,400 |  | $ 400 | $ 1,400
Graham Healthcare Group [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Change in redemption value of manditorily redeemable noncontrolling interest |  | $ 6,200 |  |  |  |  |  |
Hoover Treated Wood Products [Member] | Other Businesses [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Change in redemption value of manditorily redeemable noncontrolling interest | $ 600 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Graham Holdings Company [Member] | Hoover Treated Wood Products [Member] | Other Businesses [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Ownership percentage by parent | 98.01% |  |  | 98.01% |  |  |  |

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