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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Recently Issued and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Apr. 30, 2021	Apr. 30, 2020	Apr. 30, 2019
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]
Intercompany receivables		$ 188,800
Book Overdrafts [Abstract]
Book overdrafts		25,800	$ 7,400
Sales Return Reserves [Abstract]
Increase in Inventories, net		10,886	8,686
Decrease in Accrued royalties		(4,949)	(4,441)
Increase in Contract liabilities		38,034	32,769
Print book sales return reserve net liability balance		(22,199)	(19,642)
Inventories [Abstract]
LIFO inventories		20,400	24,300
Shipping and Handling Costs [Abstract]
Operating and administrative expenses		1,022,660	997,355	$ 963,582
Advertising and Marketing Costs [Abstract]
Advertising and Marketing Costs		93,600	103,100	89,500
Cost of Sales [Member]
Advertising and Marketing Costs [Abstract]
Advertising and Marketing Costs	[1]	57,000	65,800	53,700
Operating and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Advertising and Marketing Costs [Abstract]
Advertising and Marketing Costs		$ 36,600	37,300	35,800
Computer Software [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract]
Estimated useful life		3 years
Computer Software [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract]
Estimated useful life		10 years
Computer Hardware [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract]
Estimated useful life		3 years
Computer Hardware [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract]
Estimated useful life		5 years
Building and Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract]
Estimated useful life		40 years
Furniture, Fixtures and Warehouse Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract]
Estimated useful life		5 years
Furniture, Fixtures and Warehouse Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract]
Estimated useful life		10 years
Enterprise Resource Planning and Related Systems [Member]
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract]
Estimated useful life		10 years
Book Composition Costs [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Product Development Assets [Abstract]
Estimated useful life		1 year
Book Composition Costs [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Product Development Assets [Abstract]
Estimated useful life		3 years
Other Product Development Costs [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Product Development Assets [Abstract]
Estimated useful life		6 years
Software Development [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract]
Estimated useful life		3 years
Software Development [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract]
Estimated useful life		5 years
Shipping and Handling [Member]
Shipping and Handling Costs [Abstract]
Operating and administrative expenses		$ 27,800	$ 28,800	$ 32,700
Content and Publishing Rights [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life [Abstract]
Estimated useful life		28 years
Trademarks [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life [Abstract]
Estimated useful life		13 years
Customer Relationships [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life [Abstract]
Estimated useful life		17 years
Brands [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life [Abstract]
Estimated useful life		13 years
Developed Technology [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life [Abstract]
Estimated useful life		7 years
Non-compete Agreements [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life [Abstract]
Estimated useful life		5 years
Performance-based Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Abstract]
Target period for stock-based compensation expense in advance of actual financial results		3 years
[1] This includes certain advertising and marketing costs incurred by our Education Services business to fulfill performance obligations from contracts with educational institutions.

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