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Restructuring and Related Charges, Pre-tax Restructuring Charges (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
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Apr. 30, 2020 | Apr. 30, 2019 | Apr. 30, 2018
Summary of pre-tax restructuring (credits) charges [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related (credits) charges | $ 32,607 | $ 3,118 |  | $ 28,566 |
Business Optimization Program [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring (credits) charges [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related (credits) charges | 32,813 |  |  |  |
Business Optimization Program [Member] | Severance and Termination Benefits [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring (credits) charges [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related (credits) charges | 26,864 |  |  |  |
Business Optimization Program [Member] | Operating Lease Right-of-use Asset Impairment [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring (credits) charges [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related (credits) charges | 161 |  |  |  |
Business Optimization Program [Member] | Facility Related Charges [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring (credits) charges [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related (credits) charges | 3,986 |  |  |  |
Business Optimization Program [Member] | Other Activities [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring (credits) charges [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related (credits) charges | 1,802 |  |  |  |
Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring (credits) charges [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related (credits) charges | (206) | 3,118 | [1] | 28,566 | [1]
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date | 169,422 |  |  |  |
Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] | Severance and Termination Benefits [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring (credits) charges [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related (credits) charges | (250) | 1,456 | [1] | 27,213 | [1]
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date | 116,009 |  |  |  |
Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] | Consulting and Contract Termination Costs [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring (credits) charges [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related (credits) charges | (171) | 526 | [1] | 1,815 | [1]
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date | 20,984 |  |  |  |
Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] | Other Activities [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring (credits) charges [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related (credits) charges | 215 | 1,136 | [1] | (462) | [1]
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date | 32,429 |  |  |  |
Research Publishing and Platforms [Member] | Business Optimization Program [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring (credits) charges [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related (credits) charges | 3,546 |  |  |  |
Research Publishing and Platforms [Member] | Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring (credits) charges [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related (credits) charges | 340 | 1,131 | [1] | 5,257 | [1]
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date | 26,884 |  |  |  |
Academic and Professional Learning [Member] | Business Optimization Program [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring (credits) charges [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related (credits) charges | 10,475 |  |  |  |
Academic and Professional Learning [Member] | Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring (credits) charges [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related (credits) charges | (5) | 1,139 | [1] | 8,244 | [1]
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date | 42,834 |  |  |  |
Education Services [Member] | Business Optimization Program [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring (credits) charges [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related (credits) charges | 3,774 |  |  |  |
Education Services [Member] | Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring (credits) charges [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related (credits) charges | (103) | 389 | [1] | 1,894 | [1]
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date | 3,764 |  |  |  |
Corporate Expenses [Member] | Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring (credits) charges [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related (credits) charges | (438) | $ 459 | [1] | $ 13,171 | [1]
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date | 95,940 |  |  |  |
Corporate Expenses [Member] | Business Optimization Program [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring (credits) charges [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related (credits) charges | $ 15,018 |  |  |  |
[1] | As previously announced, we have changed our segment reporting structure to align with our strategic focus areas. See Note 20, “Segment Information,” for more details.

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