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Restructuring and Related Charges, Pre-tax Restructuring Charges (Credits) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | ---
Nov. 30, 2020 | Jan. 31, 2021 | Jan. 31, 2020 | Jan. 31, 2021 | Jan. 31, 2020
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) |  | $ 20,675 | $ 3,298 | $ 24,813 | $ 18,034
Business Optimization Program [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) |  | 20,661 | 3,793 | 24,952 | 17,817
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date |  | 57,765 |  | 57,765 |
Percentage reduction in real estate square footage occupancy | 12.00% |  |  |  |
Charges |  | 18,300 |  |  |
Fair value of operating lease ROU assets and property and equipment immediately subsequent to impairment |  | 7,500 |  | 7,500 |
Business Optimization Program [Member] | Severance and Termination Benefits [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) |  | 825 | 2,313 | 3,618 | 13,600
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date |  | 30,482 |  | 30,482 |
Business Optimization Program [Member] | Impairment of Operating Lease ROU Assets and Property and Equipment [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) |  | 14,924 | 0 | 14,924 | 161
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date |  | 15,085 |  | 15,085 |
Business Optimization Program [Member] | Impairment of Operating Lease ROU Assets Related to Certain Leases [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) |  | 10,600 |  |  |
Business Optimization Program [Member] | Impairment of Operating Lease ROU Assets Related to Property and Equipment [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) |  | 4,300 |  |  |
Business Optimization Program [Member] | Acceleration of Expense Related to Operating Lease ROU Assets and Property and Equipment [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) |  | 3,378 | 0 | 3,378 | 0
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date |  | 3,378 |  | 3,378 |
Business Optimization Program [Member] | Acceleration of Expense of Operating Lease ROU Assets Related to Certain Leases [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) |  | 2,900 |  |  |
Business Optimization Program [Member] | Acceleration of Expense of Operating Lease ROU Assets Related to Property and Equipment [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) |  | 500 |  |  |
Business Optimization Program [Member] | Facility Related Charges [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) |  | 1,614 | 1,480 | 3,112 | 2,720
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date |  | 7,098 |  | 7,098 |
Business Optimization Program [Member] | Other Activities [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) |  | (80) | 0 | (80) | 1,336
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date |  | 1,722 |  | 1,722 |
Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) |  | 14 | (495) | (139) | 217
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date |  | 169,283 |  | 169,283 |
Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] | Severance and Termination Benefits [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) |  | 14 | (324) | (139) | 173
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date |  | 115,870 |  | 115,870 |
Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] | Consulting and Contract Termination Costs [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) |  | 0 | (171) | 0 | (171)
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date |  | 20,984 |  | 20,984 |
Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] | Other Activities [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) |  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 215
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date |  | 32,429 |  | 32,429 |
Research Publishing & Platforms [Member] | Business Optimization Program [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) |  | 83 | 66 | (217) | 2,731
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date |  | 3,329 |  | 3,329 |
Research Publishing & Platforms [Member] | Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) |  | 0 | (26) | (135) | 655
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date |  | 26,749 |  | 26,749 |
Academic & Professional Learning [Member] | Business Optimization Program [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) |  | 314 | 1,556 | 1,628 | 5,098
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date |  | 12,103 |  | 12,103 |
Academic & Professional Learning [Member] | Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) |  | 14 | (15) | 274 | 48
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date |  | 43,108 |  | 43,108 |
Education Services [Member] | Business Optimization Program [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) |  | 71 | 4 | 294 | 1,721
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date |  | 4,068 |  | 4,068 |
Education Services [Member] | Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) |  | 0 | 0 | 0 | (103)
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date |  | 3,764 |  | 3,764 |
Corporate Expenses [Member] | Business Optimization Program [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) |  | 20,193 | 2,167 | 23,247 | 8,267
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date |  | 38,265 |  | 38,265 |
Corporate Expenses [Member] | Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) |  | 0 | $ (454) | (278) | $ (383)
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date |  | $ 95,662 |  | $ 95,662 |

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