Stock-based Compensation Plans - Schedule of Share Based Payment Award Stock Options Valuation Assumptions (Detail) (Stock Options [Member], USD $)
12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2012
Aug. 31, 2011
Stock Options [Member]
   
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]    
Expected volatility 68.00% 71.00%
Expected life (years) 4 years 10 months 24 days 4 years 3 months 18 days
Interest rate, Minimum 0.50% 1.10%
Interest rate, Maximum 1.10% 2.80%
Dividend yield 0.00% 0.00%
Weighted-average fair values, Per share $ 3.13 $ 3.62