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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Recently Issued and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards, Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Standards (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
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Apr. 30, 2019 | Jan. 31, 2019 | Oct. 31, 2018 | Jul. 31, 2018 | Apr. 30, 2018 | Jan. 31, 2018 | Oct. 31, 2017 | Jul. 31, 2017 | Apr. 30, 2019 | Apr. 30, 2018 | Apr. 30, 2017 | Apr. 30, 2016
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | $ 92,890 |  |  |  |  | $ 169,773 |  |  |  | $ 92,890 |  | $ 169,773 |  | $ 58,516 |  | $ 363,806
Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets |  | 658 |  |  |  |  | 484 |  |  |  | 658 |  | 484 |  | 0 |  | 0
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows | [1] | 93,548 |  |  |  |  | 170,257 |  |  |  | 93,548 |  | 170,257 |  | 58,516 |  | $ 363,806
Assets [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable, net |  | 294,867 | [2] |  |  |  | 212,377 |  |  |  | 294,867 | [2] | 212,377 |  |  |  |
Product development assets |  | 62,470 |  |  |  |  | 78,814 |  |  |  | 62,470 |  | 78,814 |  |  |  |
Technology, property and equipment, net |  | 289,021 |  |  |  |  | 289,934 |  |  |  | 289,021 |  | 289,934 |  | 243,058 |  |
Other non-current assets |  | 97,308 |  |  |  |  | 85,802 |  |  |  | 97,308 |  | 85,802 |  |  |  |
Liabilities [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accrued royalties |  | 78,062 |  |  |  |  | 73,007 |  |  |  | 78,062 |  | 73,007 |  |  |  |
Contract liability (Deferred revenue) |  | 507,365 | [2] |  |  |  | 486,353 |  |  |  | 507,365 | [2] | 486,353 |  |  |  |
Deferred income tax liabilities |  | 143,775 |  |  |  |  | 143,518 |  |  |  | 143,775 |  | 143,518 |  |  |  |
Retained earnings |  | 1,931,074 |  |  |  |  | 1,834,057 |  |  |  | 1,931,074 |  | 1,834,057 |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable, net |  | 294,867 | [2] |  |  |  | 212,377 |  |  |  | 294,867 | [2] | 212,377 |  |  |  |
Contract liability (Deferred revenue) |  | 507,365 | [2] |  |  |  | 486,353 |  |  |  | 507,365 | [2] | 486,353 |  |  |  |
Revenue, net |  | 491,200 |  | $ 449,400 | $ 448,600 | $ 410,900 | 477,300 | $ 455,700 | $ 451,700 | $ 411,400 | 1,800,069 |  | 1,796,103 |  | 1,718,530 |  |
Cost of sales | [3] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 554,722 |  | 531,024 | [4] | 500,794 | [4] |
Topic 606 [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Liabilities [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amounts netted down from accounts receivable, net and deferred revenue |  |  |  |  |  |  | 59,500 |  |  |  |  |  | 59,500 |  |  |  |
Topic 606 [Member] | Adjustments due to Adoption [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable, net |  |  |  |  |  |  | 93,349 |  |  |  |  |  | 93,349 |  |  |  |
Product development assets |  |  |  |  |  |  | (3,725) |  |  |  |  |  | (3,725) |  |  |  |
Technology, property and equipment, net |  |  |  |  |  |  | (361) |  |  |  |  |  | (361) |  |  |  |
Other non-current assets |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5,274 |  |  |  |  |  | 5,274 |  |  |  |
Liabilities [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accrued royalties |  |  |  |  |  |  | (731) |  |  |  |  |  | (731) |  |  |  |
Contract liability (Deferred revenue) |  |  |  |  |  |  | 89,364 |  |  |  |  |  | 89,364 |  |  |  |
Deferred income tax liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,400 |  |  |  |  |  | 1,400 |  |  |  |
Retained earnings |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4,503 |  |  |  |  |  | 4,503 |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable, net |  |  |  |  |  |  | 93,349 |  |  |  |  |  | 93,349 |  |  |  |
Contract liability (Deferred revenue) |  |  |  |  |  |  | 89,364 |  |  |  |  |  | 89,364 |  |  |  |
Topic 606 [Member] | Balances without Adoption of Topic 606 [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable, net | [2],[5] |  |  |  |  |  | 212,377 |  |  |  |  |  | 212,377 |  |  |  |
Liabilities [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contract liability (Deferred revenue) | [2],[5] |  |  |  |  |  | 486,353 |  |  |  |  |  | 486,353 |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable, net | [2],[5] |  |  |  |  |  | 212,377 |  |  |  |  |  | 212,377 |  |  |  |
Contract liability (Deferred revenue) | [2],[5] |  |  |  |  |  | 486,353 |  |  |  |  |  | 486,353 |  |  |  |
Topic 606 [Member] | Balances upon Adoption of Topic 606 [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable, net |  |  |  |  |  |  | 305,726 |  |  |  |  |  | 305,726 |  |  |  |
Product development assets |  |  |  |  |  |  | 75,089 |  |  |  |  |  | 75,089 |  |  |  |
Technology, property and equipment, net |  |  |  |  |  |  | 289,573 |  |  |  |  |  | 289,573 |  |  |  |
Other non-current assets |  |  |  |  |  |  | 91,076 |  |  |  |  |  | 91,076 |  |  |  |
Liabilities [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accrued royalties |  |  |  |  |  |  | 72,276 |  |  |  |  |  | 72,276 |  |  |  |
Contract liability (Deferred revenue) |  |  |  |  |  |  | 575,717 |  |  |  |  |  | 575,717 |  |  |  |
Deferred income tax liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |  | 144,918 |  |  |  |  |  | 144,918 |  |  |  |
Retained earnings |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,838,560 |  |  |  |  |  | 1,838,560 |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable, net |  |  |  |  |  |  | 305,726 |  |  |  |  |  | 305,726 |  |  |  |
Contract liability (Deferred revenue) |  |  |  |  |  |  | 575,717 |  |  |  |  |  | 575,717 |  |  |  |
Topic 606 [Member] | Sales Return Reserve Provision [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable, net |  | 25,900 |  |  |  |  | 28,300 |  |  |  | 25,900 |  | 28,300 |  |  |  |
Liabilities [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contract liability (Deferred revenue) |  | 25,900 |  |  |  |  | 28,300 |  |  |  | 25,900 |  | 28,300 |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable, net |  | 25,900 |  |  |  |  | 28,300 |  |  |  | 25,900 |  | 28,300 |  |  |  |
Contract liability (Deferred revenue) |  | 25,900 |  |  |  |  | $ 28,300 |  |  |  | 25,900 |  | 28,300 |  |  |  |
ASU 2017-07 Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net charges benefits (cost) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 8,800 |  | 8,100 |  | (5,300) |  |
ASU 2017-07 Member] | Operating and Administrative Expenses [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net charges benefits (cost) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 8,100 |  |  |  |
ASU 2017-07 Member] | Operating and Administrative Expenses [Member] | Plan [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net charges benefits (cost) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (5,300) |  | (5,300) |  |
ASU 2017-07 Member] | Interest and Other Income [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net charges benefits (cost) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (5,300) |  |
ASU 2017-07 Member] | Interest and Other Income [Member] | Plan [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net charges benefits (cost) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 8,800 |  | 8,100 |  | $ 8,100 |  |
ASU 2016-18 [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Reduction in cash used in operating activities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ (500) |  |  |  |
ASU 2016-02 [Member] | Minimum [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets and Liabilities, Lessee [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating lease, liability |  | 175,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 175,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating lease, right-of-use asset |  | 135,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 135,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
ASU 2016-02 [Member] | Maximum [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets and Liabilities, Lessee [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating lease, liability |  | 185,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 185,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating lease, right-of-use asset |  | $ 145,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 145,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
[1] | Due to the retrospective adoption of ASU 2016-18, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash," we are now required to include restricted cash as part of the change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash. As a result, amounts which were previously classified as cash flows from operating activities have been reclassified as they are recognized in the total change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash. Refer to Note 2, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Recently Issued, and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards," in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
[2] | Due to the adoption of the new revenue standard, the sales return reserve as of April 30, 2019 of $25.9 million is recorded in Contract Liability (Deferred Revenue). In prior periods, it was recorded as a reduction to Accounts Receivable, net on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. At April 30, 2018 the sales return reserve was $28.3 million.
[3] | In connection with the acquisition of The Learning House, Inc. ("Learning House"), we changed our accounting policy for certain advertising and marketing costs incurred by our Education Services business to fulfill performance obligations from contracts with educational institutions. Under the new accounting policy, these costs are included in Cost of Sales whereas they were previously included in Operating and Administrative Expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Including these expenses in Cost of Sales will better align these costs with the related revenue and conform with the presentation of such costs for Learning House. This change in accounting policy was applied retrospectively. The Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended April 30, 2018, and 2017 have been reclassified to reflect this change in accounting policy. The impact of this reclassification was an increase to Cost of Sales and a corresponding decrease to Operating and Administrative Expenses of $45.8 million and $40.0 million for the years ended April 30, 2018, and 2017, respectively. This reclassification had no impact on Revenue, net, Operating Income, Net Income, or Earnings per Share. Refer to "Change in Accounting Policy" in Note 2, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Recently Issued, and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards," for more information on the accounting policy change and Note 4, "Acquisition," in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information related to the acquisition of Learning House.
[4] | Due to the retrospective adoption of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2017-07, "Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost,", total net benefits (costs) of $8.1 million and $(5.3) million related to the non-service components of defined benefit and other post-employment benefit plans were reclassified from Operating and Administrative Expenses to Interest and Other Income (Expense) for the years ended April 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Total net benefits (costs) related to the non-service components of defined benefit and other post-employment benefit plans were $8.8 million for the year ended April 30, 2019. Refer to Note 2, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Recently Issued, and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
[5] | As noted above, prior period amounts have not been adjusted due to adoption of the new revenue standard under the modified retrospective method.

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