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Restructuring and Related Charges, Pre-tax Restructuring Charges (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	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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Restructuring charges for research and professional development, net of related reversal of severance provisions previously recorded by the Company.

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Amount of costs incurred to date for the specified restructuring cost.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
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-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.4(d))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115931487&loc=d3e140904-122747

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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-Topic 420
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