DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Description of the business

Scholastic Corporation (the “Corporation” and together with its subsidiaries, “Scholastic” or the “Company”) is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books, a leading provider of print and digital instructional materials for Pre-K to grade 12, and a producer of educational and entertaining children’s media. The Company creates quality books and ebooks, print and technology-based learning materials and programs, classroom magazines and other products that, in combination, offer schools customized and comprehensive solutions to support children’s learning both at school and at home. Since its founding in 1920, Scholastic has emphasized quality products and a dedication to reading and learning. The Company is the leading operator of school-based book clubs and book fairs in the United States. It distributes its products and services through these proprietary channels, as well as directly to schools and libraries, through retail stores and through the internet. The Company’s website, scholastic.com, is a leading site for teachers, classrooms and parents and an award-winning destination for children. Scholastic has operations in the United States and throughout the world including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and other parts of Asia and, through its export business, sells products in approximately 145 countries.

Basis of presentation

Principles of consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Corporation and all wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to conform to the current year presentation.

Discontinued operations

During the twelve month period ended May 31, 2017, the Company did not dispose of any components of the business that would meet the criteria for discontinued operations reporting.

The Company closed or sold several operations during fiscal 2015. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company sold its educational technology and services business, which, among other things, was engaged in the development and sale of technology-based reading and math improvement programs, as well as providing consulting and professional development services. Additionally during fiscal 2015, the Company completed a restructuring of the businesses comprising its former Media, Licensing and Advertising segment, including discontinuing its Soup2Nuts animation and audio production studio operations and Scholastic Interactive, as well as the print edition of a periodic consumer magazine.

All of these businesses are classified as discontinued operations in the Company’s financial statements for all periods presented.

Use of estimates

The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements involves the use of estimates and assumptions by management, which affects the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, current business factors, and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, all of which are necessary in order to form a basis for determining the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates the adequacy of its reserves and the estimates used in calculations, including, but not limited to:


•	Accounts receivable reserves for returns


•	Accounts receivable allowance for doubtful accounts


•	Pension and other post-retirement obligations


•	Uncertain tax positions


•	Inventory reserves


•	Cost of goods sold from book fair operations during interim periods determined based on estimated gross profit rates


•	Sales tax contingencies


•	Royalty advance reserves


•	Unredeemed incentive programs


•	Impairment testing for goodwill for assessment and measurement, intangibles and other long-lived assets and investments.


•	Assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations.


•	Revenues for fairs which have not reported final fair results

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Revenue recognition

The Company’s revenue recognition policies for its principal businesses are as follows:

School-Based Book Clubs – Revenue from school-based book clubs is recognized upon shipment of the products.

School-Based Book Fairs – Revenues associated with school-based book fairs are related to sales of product. Book fairs are typically run by schools and/or parent teacher organizations over a five business-day period. The amount of revenue recognized for each fair represents the net amount of cash collected at the fair. Revenue is fully recognized at the completion of the fair. At the end of reporting periods, the Company defers estimated revenue for those fairs that have not been completed as of the period end based on the number of fair days occurring after period end on a straight-line calculation of the full fair’s revenue. The Company also estimates revenues for those fairs which have not reported final fair results.

Trade –Revenue from the sale of children’s books for distribution in the retail channel is primarily recognized when risks and benefits transfer to the customer, or when the product is on sale and available to the public. For newly published titles, the Company, on occasion, contractually agrees with its customers when the publication may be first offered for sale to the public, or an agreed upon “Strict Laydown Date.” For such titles, the risks and benefits of the publication are not deemed to be transferred to the customer until such time that the publication can contractually be sold to the public, and the Company defers revenue on sales of such titles until such time as the customer is permitted to sell the product to the public. Revenue for ebooks, which is generally the net amount received from the retailer, is recognized upon electronic delivery to the customer by the retailer.

A reserve for estimated returns is established at the time of sale and recognized as a reduction to revenue. Actual returns are charged to the reserve as received. Reserves for returns are based on historical return rates, sales patterns, type of product and expectations. In order to develop the estimate of returns that will be received subsequent to fiscal year end, management considers patterns of sales and returns in the months preceding the current fiscal year, as well as actual returns received subsequent to year end, available customer and market specific data and other return rate information that management believes is relevant. Actual returns could differ from the Company’s estimate.

Education – Revenue from the sale of educational materials is recognized upon shipment of the products, or upon acceptance of product by the customer depending on individual customer terms. Revenues from professional development services are recognized when the services have been provided to the customer.

Film Production and Licensing – Revenue from the sale of film rights, principally for the home video and domestic and foreign television markets, is recognized when the film has been delivered and is available for showing or exploitation. Licensing revenue is recognized in accordance with royalty agreements at the time the licensed materials are available to the licensee and collections are reasonably assured.

Magazines – Revenue is deferred and recognized ratably over the subscription period, as the magazines are delivered.

Magazine Advertising – Revenue is recognized when the magazine is for sale and available to the subscribers.

Scholastic In-School Marketing – Revenue is recognized when the Company has satisfied its obligations under the program and the customer has acknowledged acceptance of the product or service. Certain revenues may be deferred pending future deliverables.

Cash equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Accounts receivable

Accounts receivable are recognized net of allowances for doubtful accounts and reserves for returns. In the normal course of business, the Company extends credit to customers that satisfy predefined credit criteria. The Company is required to estimate the collectability of its receivables. Reserves for returns are based on historical return rates, sales patterns, type of product and expectations. In order to develop the estimate of returns that will be received subsequent to fiscal year end, management considers patterns of sales and returns in the months preceding the current fiscal year, as well as actual returns received subsequent to year end, available customer and market specific data and other return rate information that management believes is relevant. Reserves for estimated bad debts are established at the time of sale and are based on an evaluation of accounts receivable aging, and, where applicable, specific reserves on a customer-by-customer basis, creditworthiness of the Company’s customers and prior collection experience to estimate the ultimate collectability of these receivables. At the time the Company determines that a receivable balance, or any portion thereof, is deemed to be permanently uncollectible, the balance is then written off.

Inventories

Inventories, consisting principally of books, are stated at the lower of cost, using the first-in, first-out method, or market. The Company records a reserve for excess and obsolete inventory based upon a calculation using the historical usage rates by channel, the sales patterns of its products and specifically identified obsolete inventory.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are recognized on a straight-line basis, over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Buildings have estimated useful life, for purposes of depreciation of forty years. Building improvements are depreciated over the life of the improvement which typically does not exceed twenty-five years. Capitalized software, net of accumulated amortization, was $45.0 and $31.1 at May 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Capitalized software is amortized over a period of three to seven years. Amortization expense for capitalized software was $12.9, $11.4 and $17.7 for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Furniture, fixtures and equipment are depreciated over periods not exceeding ten years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the life of the lease or the life of the assets, whichever is shorter. The Company evaluates the depreciation periods of property, plant and equipment to determine whether events or circumstances indicate that the asset’s carrying value is not recoverable or warrant revised estimates of useful lives.

Leases

Lease agreements are evaluated to determine whether they are capital or operating leases. When substantially all of the risks and benefits of property ownership have been transferred to the Company, as determined by the test criteria in the current authoritative guidance, the lease is recognized as a capital lease.

Capital leases are capitalized at the lower of the net present value of the total amount of rent payable under the leasing agreement (excluding finance charges) or the fair market value of the leased asset. Capital lease assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis in Depreciation and amortization expense, over a period consistent with the Company’s normal depreciation policy for tangible fixed assets, but not exceeding the lease term. Interest charges are expensed over the period of the lease in relation to the carrying value of the capital lease obligation.

Rent expense for operating leases, which may include free rent or fixed escalation amounts in addition to minimum lease payments, is recognized on a straight-line basis over the duration of each lease term. Sublease income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the duration of each lease term. To the extent expected sublease income is less than expected rental payments the Company recognizes a current loss on the difference between the fair values of the sublease and the rental payments. The Company also receives lease payments from retail stores that utilize the Broadway facing space of the Company's headquarters location in New York City. Lease payments received are presented as a reduction in rent expense in Selling, general and administrative expenses.

Prepublication costs

Prepublication costs are incurred in all of the Company’s reportable segments. Prepublication costs include costs incurred to create and develop the art, prepress, editorial, digital conversion and other content required for the creation of the master copy of a book or other media. Prepublication costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over a two-to-five-year period based on expected future revenues. The Company regularly reviews the recoverability of the capitalized costs based on expected future revenues.

Royalty advances

Royalty advances are incurred in all of the Company’s reportable segments, but are most prevalent in the Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment and enable the Company to obtain contractual commitments from authors to produce content. The Company regularly provides authors with advances against expected future royalty payments, often before the books are written. Upon publication and sale of the books or other media, the authors generally will not receive further royalty payments until the contractual royalties earned from sales of such books or other media exceed such advances.

Royalty advances are initially capitalized and subsequently expensed as related revenues are earned or when the Company determines future recovery through earndowns is not probable. The Company has a long history of providing authors with royalty advances, and it tracks each advance earned with respect to the sale of the related publication. The royalties earned are applied first against the remaining unearned portion of the advance. Historically, the longer the unearned portion of the advance remains outstanding, the less likely it is that the Company will recover the advance through the sale of the publication. The Company applies this historical experience to its existing outstanding royalty advances to estimate the likelihood of recoveries through earndowns. Additionally, the Company’s editorial staff regularly reviews its portfolio of royalty advances to determine if individual royalty advances are not recoverable through earndowns for discrete reasons, such as the death of an author prior to completion of a title or titles, a Company decision to not publish a title, poor market demand or other relevant factors that could impact recoverability.

Goodwill and intangible assets

Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized and are reviewed for impairment annually as of May 31 or more frequently if impairment indicators arise.

With regard to goodwill, the Company compares the estimated fair values of its identified reporting units to the carrying values of their net assets. The Company first performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair values of its identified reporting units are less than their carrying values. If it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount the Company performs the two-step test. For each of the reporting units, the estimated fair value is determined utilizing the expected present value of the projected future cash flows of the reporting unit, in addition to comparisons to similar companies. The Company reviews its definition of reporting units annually or more frequently if conditions indicate that the reporting units may change. The Company evaluates its operating segments to determine if there are components one level below the operating segment. A component is present if discrete financial information is available, and segment management regularly reviews the operating results of the business. If an operating segment only contains a single component, that component is determined to be a reporting unit for goodwill impairment testing purposes. If an operating segment contains multiple components, the Company evaluates the economic characteristics of these components. Any components within an operating segment that share similar economic characteristics are aggregated and deemed to be a reporting unit for goodwill impairment testing purposes. Components within the same operating segment that do not share similar economic characteristics are deemed to be individual reporting units for goodwill impairment testing purposes. The Company has seven reporting units with goodwill subject to impairment testing.

With regard to other intangibles with indefinite lives, the Company determines the fair value by asset, which is then compared to its carrying value. The Company first performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the identified asset is less than its carrying value. If it is more likely than not that the fair value of the asset is less than its carrying amount, the Company performs a quantitative test. The estimated fair value is determined utilizing the expected present value of the projected future cash flows of the asset.

Intangible assets with definite lives consist principally of customer lists, intellectual property and other agreements and are amortized over their expected useful lives. Customer lists are amortized on a straight-line basis over five to ten years, while other agreements are amortized on a straight-line basis over their contractual term. Intellectual property assets are amortized over their remaining useful lives, which is approximately five years.

Income taxes

The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, for purposes of determining taxable income deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and the tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to be realized.

The Company believes that its taxable earnings, during the periods when the temporary differences giving rise to deferred tax assets become deductible or when tax benefit carryforwards may be utilized, should be sufficient to realize the related future income tax benefits. For those jurisdictions where the expiration date of the tax benefit carryforwards or the projected taxable earnings indicates that realization is not likely, the Company establishes a valuation allowance.

In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, the Company estimates future taxable earnings, with consideration for the feasibility of on-going tax planning strategies and the realizability of tax benefit carryforwards, to determine which deferred tax assets are more likely than not to be realized in the future. Valuation allowances related to deferred tax assets can be impacted by changes to tax laws, changes to statutory tax rates and future taxable earnings. In the event that actual results differ from these estimates in future periods, the Company may need to adjust the valuation allowance.

The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions using a two-step method. Recognition occurs when an entity concludes that a tax position, based solely on technical merits, is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination. If a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, the amount recognized is the largest amount of benefit, determined on a cumulative probability basis, which is more likely than not to be realized upon settlement. The Company assesses all income tax positions and adjusts its reserves against these positions periodically based upon these criteria. The Company also assesses potential penalties and interest associated with these tax positions, and includes these amounts as a component of income tax expense.

In calculating the provision for income taxes on an interim basis, the Company uses an estimate of the annual effective tax rate based upon the facts and circumstances known. The Company’s effective tax rate is based on expected income and statutory tax rates and permanent differences between financial statement and tax return income applicable to the Company in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates.

The Company assesses foreign investment levels periodically to determine if all or a portion of the Company’s investments in foreign subsidiaries are indefinitely invested. If foreign investments are not expected to be indefinitely invested, the Company provides for income taxes on the portion that is not indefinitely invested.

Non-income Taxes

The Company is subject to tax examinations for sales-based taxes. A number of these examinations are ongoing and, in certain cases, have resulted in assessments from taxing authorities. Where a sales tax liability in respect to a jurisdiction is probable and can be reliably estimated, the Company has made accruals for these matters which are reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. These amounts are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements in Selling, general and administrative expenses. Future developments relating to the foregoing could result in adjustments being made to these accruals.

Unredeemed incentive credits

The Company employs incentive programs to encourage sponsor participation in its book clubs and book fairs. These programs allow the sponsors to accumulate credits which can then be redeemed for Company products or other items offered by the Company. The Company recognizes a liability for the estimated costs of providing these credits at the time of the recognition of revenue for the underlying purchases of Company product that resulted in the granting of the credits. As the credits are redeemed, such liability is reduced.

Other noncurrent liabilities

The rate assumptions discussed below impact the Company’s calculations of its pension and post-retirement obligations. The rates applied by the Company are based on the portfolios’ past average rates of return, discount rates, actuarial information and, with regard to the U.S. Pension Plan, assumptions related to the plan's expected termination. Any change in market performance, interest rate performance, assumed health care cost trend rate, compensation rates or, with regard to the U.S. Pension Plan, estimated lump sum payments and expected fair value of annuity contracts could result in significant changes in the Company’s pension and post-retirement obligations.

Pension obligations – Scholastic Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries have defined benefit pension plans covering the majority of their employees who meet certain eligibility requirements. The Company’s pension plans and other post-retirement benefits are accounted for using actuarial valuations.

UK Pension Plan

The Company’s UK Pension Plan calculations are based on three primary actuarial assumptions: the discount rate, the long-term expected rate of return on plan assets and the anticipated rate of compensation increases. The discount rate is used in the measurement of the projected, accumulated and vested benefit obligations and interest cost component of net periodic pension costs. The long-term expected return on plan assets is used to calculate the expected earnings from the investment or reinvestment of plan assets. The anticipated rate of compensation increase is used to estimate the increase in compensation for participants of the plan from their current age to their assumed retirement age. The estimated compensation amounts are used to determine the benefit obligations and the service cost component of net periodic pension costs.

U.S. Pension Plan

The Company's U.S. Pension Plan calculations are impacted by its expected termination which is considered imminent and likely to occur during fiscal 2018. As such, the Company utilized a discount rate and short-term expected rate of return on plan assets to arrive at an obligation for which additional estimates, related to the anticipated amount of lump sum payments to be distributed in fiscal 2018 and insurance company pricing on the portion of the obligation not distributed through lump sum payments, were used to calculate the benefit obligation. Pension benefits in the cash balance plan for employees located in the U.S. are based on formulas in which the employees’ balances are credited monthly with interest based on the average rate for one-year U.S. Treasury Bills plus 1%. Contribution credits are based on employees’ years of service and compensation levels during their employment periods for the periods prior to June 1, 2009.

Other post-retirement benefits – The Company provides post-retirement benefits, consisting of healthcare and life insurance benefits, to eligible retired U.S.-based employees. The post-retirement medical plan benefits are funded on a pay-as-you-go basis, with the Company paying a portion of the premium and the employee paying the remainder. The Company calculates the existing benefit obligation, based on the discount rate and the assumed health care cost trend rate. The discount rate is used in the measurement of the projected and accumulated benefit obligations and the interest cost component of net periodic post-retirement benefit cost. The assumed health care cost trend rate is used in the measurement of the long-term expected increase in medical claims.

Foreign currency translation

The Company’s non-United States dollar-denominated assets and liabilities are translated into United States dollars at prevailing rates at the balance sheet date and the revenues, costs and expenses are translated at the weighted average rates prevailing during each reporting period. Net gains or losses resulting from the translation of the foreign financial statements and the effect of exchange rate changes on long-term intercompany balances are accumulated and charged directly to the foreign currency translation adjustment component of stockholders’ equity until such time as the operations are substantially liquidated or sold. The Company assesses foreign investment levels periodically to determine if all or a portion of the Company’s investments in foreign subsidiaries are indefinitely invested.

Shipping and handling costs

Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling are classified as revenue. Costs incurred in shipping and handling are recognized in Cost of goods sold.

Advertising costs

The Company incurs costs for both direct-response and non-direct-response advertising. The Company capitalizes direct-response advertising costs for expenditures, primarily related to classroom magazines. The asset is amortized on a cost-pool-by-cost-pool basis over the period during which the future benefits are expected to be received. Included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets on the balance sheet is $6.0 and $6.0 of capitalized advertising costs as of May 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company expenses non-direct-response advertising costs as incurred.

Stock-based compensation

The Company recognizes the cost of services received in exchange for any stock-based awards. The Company recognizes the cost on a straight-line basis over an award’s requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period, except for the grants to retirement-eligible employees, based on the award’s fair value at the date of grant.

The fair values of stock options granted by the Company are estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Company’s determination of the fair value of stock-based payment awards using this option-pricing model is affected by the price of the Common Stock as well as by assumptions regarding highly complex and subjective variables, including, but not limited to, the expected price volatility of the Common Stock over the terms of the awards, the risk-free interest rate, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. Estimates of fair value are not intended to predict actual future events or the value that may ultimately be realized by those who receive these awards.

Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods, if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates, in order to derive the Company’s best estimate of awards ultimately expected to vest. In determining the estimated forfeiture rates for stock-based awards, the Company annually conducts an assessment of the actual number of equity awards that have been forfeited previously. When estimating expected forfeitures, the Company considers factors such as the type of award, the employee class and historical experience. The estimate of stock-based awards that will ultimately be forfeited requires significant judgment and, to the extent that actual results or updated estimates differ from current estimates, such amounts will be recognized as a cumulative adjustment in the period such estimates are revised.

The table set forth below provides the estimated fair value of options granted by the Company during fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 and the significant weighted average assumptions used in determining such fair value under the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The average expected life represents an estimate of the period of time stock options are expected to remain outstanding based on the historical exercise behavior of the option grantees. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve corresponding to the expected life in effect at the time of the grant. The volatility was estimated based on historical volatility corresponding to the expected life.



	2017			2016			2015
Estimated fair value of stock options granted	$	12.70		$	14.78		$	11.41
Assumptions:
Expected dividend yield	1.5		%	1.4		%	1.8		%
Expected stock price volatility	36.6		%	38.2		%	38.2		%
Risk-free interest rate	1.5		%	1.9		%	2.2		%
Average expected life of options	6 years			6 years			6 years

New Accounting Pronouncements

ASU 2017-07

In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update (the "ASU") No. 2017-07, Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. The ASU requires entities to disaggregate the service cost component from the other components of net periodic benefit costs and present it with other current compensation costs for related employees in the income statement, and present the other components elsewhere in the income statement and outside of income from operations if that subtotal is presented. The amendments in this update also allow only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization when applicable.

The ASU will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company expects to early adopt this ASU in the first quarter of the fiscal year ending May 31, 2018. For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2017 and 2016 service costs were less than $0.1. Therefore, a majority of the net periodic benefit costs of the Company will be presented below Operating income and before Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes. See note 13, "Employee Benefit Plans," for further information.

ASU 2017-04

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which removes step two from the goodwill impairment test (comparison of implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill for a reporting unit). Instead, an entity should measure its goodwill impairment by the amount the carry value exceeds the fair value of a reporting unit.

The ASU will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. The Company does not expect the amendments in this ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

ASU 2016-16

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, “Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory.” The ASU removes the prohibition against the immediate recognition of the current and deferred income tax effects of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. The ASU, which is part of the FASB’s simplification initiative, is intended to reduce the complexity and diversity in practice related to the tax consequences of certain types of intra-entity asset transfers, particularly those involving intellectual property.

The ASU will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company is evaluating the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

ASU 2016-18 and ASU 2016-15

In November 2016 and August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash and ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (A Consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force), respectively, which address specific statement of cash flows classification issues.

The ASUs will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company does not expect the amendments in this ASU to have a material impact on its statement of cash flows.

ASU 2016-13

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (the "ASU") 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326). This ASU introduces amendments to the accounting for credit losses on instruments defined within the ASU's scope and will impact both financial services and non-financial services entities. Due to its broad scope, which includes trade and lease receivables, this ASU states that it is likely that all entities will need to evaluate the impact of its amendments. Under the amendments, an entity will recognize, as an allowance, its estimate of expected credit losses, which the FASB believes will result in more timely recognition of such losses. The ASU does not prescribe a specific method to make the estimate so its application will require significant judgment.

The ASU will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. The Company is evaluating the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

ASU 2016-09

In March 2016, the FASB issued the ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The amendments in this ASU require, among other things, that all income tax effects of awards be recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. The ASU permits an employer to repurchase a higher number of employee's shares for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting. The ASU also allows for a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur.

The ASU will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The company will adopt the ASU under the prospective transition method. This ASU requires that the income tax effects of awards be recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. Currently these effects are accounted for as Additional paid-in capital. The ASU also eliminates the requirement to reclassify excess tax benefits from operating activities to financing activities on the statement of cash flows. For the twelve month periods ended May 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company had excess tax benefits of $0.8, $1.9 and $1.1, respectively. The Company will continue to estimate forfeitures at the time of grant.

ASU 2016-02

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The amendments in this ASU require, among other things, lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability in the balance sheet for all leases. The lease liability will be measured at the present value of the lease payments over the lease term. The right-of-use asset will be measured at the lease liability amount, adjusted for lease prepayments, lease incentives received and lessee's initial direct costs (e.g., commissions).

The ASU will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. The Company is evaluating the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows, and expects that there will be a significant increase to other assets and other liabilities.

ASU 2015-11

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory, as part of its Simplification Initiative. Currently, inventory is measured at the lower of cost using the first-in, first-out method or market. The amendments in this ASU require entities that measure inventory using any method other than last-in, first-out or the retail inventory method to measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. The amendments should be applied prospectively and earlier application is permitted as of the beginning of an interim or fiscal year period.

The ASU will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The Company does not expect the amendments in this ASU to have a material impact on the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers

In May 2014, the FASB announced that it is amending the FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") by issuing ASU 2014-09, Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (the "New Revenue Standard"). The amendments in this ASU provide a single model for use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersede current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific revenue guidance. The core principle of the new ASU is that revenue should be recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. New disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers are also required. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 which deferred the effective date of the New Revenue Standard. In 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-11, and ASU 2016-12 to clarify, among other things, the implementation guidance related to principal versus agent considerations, identifying performance obligations, and accounting for licenses of intellectual property. The amendments in this update are to be applied on a retrospective basis, either to each prior reporting period presented or by presenting the cumulative effect of applying the update recognized at the date of initial application.

The New Revenue Standard will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company is evaluating the adoption methodology and the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows, including assessing the impact of the guidance across all of its revenue streams. This includes a review of current accounting policies and practices to identify potential differences that would result from applying the guidance. While this evaluation is in progress, and the impact is not fully assessed, the Company believes this standard will result in changes relating to the reporting periods in which certain revenues associated with incentive programs within the Company's school channels are recognized.