CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Apr. 30, 2024		Apr. 30, 2023		Apr. 30, 2022
Operating activities
Net (loss) income		$ (200,319)		$ 17,233		$ 148,309
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Impairment of goodwill		108,449		99,800		0
Losses (gains) on sale of businesses and certain assets and impairment charges related to assets held-for-sale		183,389		(10,217)		(3,694)
Amortization of intangible assets		55,994		84,881		84,836
Amortization of product development assets		22,835		32,366		35,162
Depreciation and amortization of technology, property, and equipment		98,160		96,006		95,172
Restructuring and related charges (credits)		63,041		49,389		(1,427)
Stock-based compensation expense		24,982		26,504		25,705
Employee retirement plan expense		27,844		26,956		19,146
Foreign exchange transaction losses (gains)		2,959		(894)		3,192
Other noncash (credits) charges		(12,319)		(6,319)		37,128
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable, net		(22,062)		26,757		(26,318)
Inventories, net		5,436		(522)		2,311
Accounts payable and accrued royalties		(38,460)		22,908		16,373
Contract liabilities		(1,332)		(36,529)		9,973
Restructuring payments		(38,520)		(26,599)		(5,911)
Other accrued liabilities		19,274		(48,787)		(13,476)
Employee retirement plan contributions		(36,887)		(45,985)		(46,729)
Operating lease liabilities		(25,852)		(26,919)		(29,737)
Other		(28,974)		(2,958)		(10,915)
Net cash provided by operating activities		207,638		277,071		339,100
Investing activities
Product development spending		(17,262)		(22,958)		(27,015)
Additions to technology, property, and equipment		(76,080)		(81,155)		(88,843)
Businesses acquired in purchase transactions, net of cash acquired		(3,116)		(7,292)		(75,703)
(Costs) proceeds related to the sale of businesses and certain assets		(1,771)
(Costs) proceeds related to the sale of businesses and certain assets				15,585		3,375
Acquisitions of publication rights and other		(8,414)		(2,578)		(5,838)
Net cash used in investing activities		(106,643)		(98,398)		(194,024)
Financing activities
Repayments of long-term debt		(1,156,939)		(1,044,205)		(661,873)
Borrowings of long-term debt		1,184,706		1,005,271		650,877
Payment of debt issuance costs		0		(4,493)		0
Purchases of treasury shares		(45,050)		(35,000)		(30,000)
Change in book overdrafts		(4,472)		(4,841)		(6,327)
Cash dividends		(76,964)		(77,298)		(77,205)
Impact of tax withholding on stock-based compensation and other		(8,502)		(8,002)		(7,110)
Net cash used in financing activities		(107,221)		(168,568)		(131,638)
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash		(1,493)		(3,570)		(7,070)
Cash reconciliation:
Cash and cash equivalents		106,714		100,397		93,795
Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets		548		330		564
Balance at beginning of year		107,262	[1]	100,727	[1]	94,359
(Decrease) increase for year		(7,719)		6,535		6,368
Cash and cash equivalents		99,441		106,714		100,397
Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets		102		548		330
Balance at end of year	[1]	99,543		107,262		100,727
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest		47,101		36,130		17,834
Income taxes, net of refunds		50,834		50,891		48,887
Noncash items:
Shares issued in connection with the acquisition of a business		$ 0		$ 0		$ 7,363

[1] The balance as of April 30, 2024 includes held-for-sale cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash. See Note 4, “Acquisitions and Divestitures” for further details.