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Basis of Presentation (Policies) | 9 Months Ended
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Feb. 28, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Principles of consolidation | Principles of consolidation The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Scholastic Corporation (the “Corporation”) and all wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries (collectively, “Scholastic” or the “Company”). Intercompany transactions are eliminated in consolidation. These financial statements have not been audited but reflect those adjustments consisting of normal recurring items that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income (loss) and cash flows. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016 (the “Annual Report”). The Company’s fiscal year is not a calendar year. Accordingly, references in this document to fiscal 2016 relate to the twelve-month period ended May 31, 2016. Certain reclassifications have been made to conform to the current year presentation.
Seasonality | Seasonality The Company’s Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution school-based book fair and book club channels and most of its Education businesses operate on a school-year basis; therefore, the Company’s business is highly seasonal. As a result, the Company’s revenues in the first and third quarters of the fiscal year generally are lower than its revenues in the other two fiscal quarters. Typically, school-based channel and magazine revenues are minimal in the first quarter of the fiscal year as schools are not in session. Trade sales can vary through the year due to varying release dates of published titles. The Company generally experiences a loss from operations in the first and third quarters of each fiscal year.
Use of estimates | Use of estimates The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X. The preparation of these financial statements involves the use of estimates and assumptions by management, which affects the amounts reported in the condensed 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 taxes
• | Royalty advance reserves
• | Customer reward programs
• | Impairment testing for goodwill for assessment and measurement, and other long-lived assets and investments
• | Assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations.
New Accounting Pronouncements | 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 is evaluating the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. 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 perform its goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. 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 2016-16 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 is evaluating the impact of these ASUs on its cash flows. ASU 2016-13 In June 2016, the FASB issued 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 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 also allows for an employer to repurchase more of an employee's shares than it currently can for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting and 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 is evaluating the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. 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 and 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. 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 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 ASU will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The Company is evaluating the impact of this ASU on its 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 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 supersedes 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, ASU 2016-12 and ASU 2016-20 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.

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