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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Recently Issued, and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Apr. 30, 2022	Apr. 30, 2021	Apr. 30, 2020
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]
Intercompany receivables		$ 188,800
Book Overdrafts [Abstract]
Book overdrafts		19,400	$ 25,800
Change in Provision for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period		21,474
Current period provision		4,029
Amounts written off, less recoveries		(3,754)
Foreign exchange translation adjustments and other		(528)
Balance, end of period		21,221	21,474
Sales Return Reserves [Abstract]
Increase in Inventories, net		7,820	10,886
Decrease in Accrued royalties		(3,893)	(4,949)
Increase in Contract liabilities		31,135	38,034
Print book sales return reserve net liability balance		(19,422)	(22,199)
Inventories [Abstract]
LIFO inventories		20,600	20,400
Shipping and Handling Costs [Abstract]
Operating and administrative expenses		1,079,585	1,022,660	$ 997,355
Advertising and Marketing Costs [Abstract]
Advertising and Marketing Costs		100,600	93,600	103,100
Cost of Sales [Member]
Advertising and Marketing Costs [Abstract]
Advertising and Marketing Costs	[1]	62,900	57,000	65,800
Operating and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Advertising and Marketing Costs [Abstract]
Advertising and Marketing Costs		$ 37,700	36,600	37,300
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
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
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		$ 29,000	$ 27,800	$ 28,800
Content and Publishing Rights [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life [Abstract]
Estimated useful life		26 years
Trademarks [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life [Abstract]
Estimated useful life		11 years
Customer Relationships [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life [Abstract]
Estimated useful life		16 years
Brands [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life [Abstract]
Estimated useful life		11 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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