v2.3.0.11

Severance (Detail) - Schedule of accrued severance (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010	May 31, 2011
Beginning balance	$ 1.9	$ 3.4	$ 3.4
Accruals	3.3	2.1	6.7
Payments	(2.8)	(3.8)	(8.2)
Ending balance	$ 2.4	$ 1.7	$ 1.9

X

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of charge against earnings in the period for accrued severence costs.

+ Details

Name:	schl_AccruedSeveranceCost
Namespace Prefix:	schl
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

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.

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

The amount of severance cost payments during the period.

+ Details

Name:	schl_SeveranceCostPayments
Namespace Prefix:	schl
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration