Basis of Presentation (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Nov. 30, 2017

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, 2017 (the “Annual Report”).

The Company’s fiscal year is not a calendar year. Accordingly, references in this document to fiscal 2017 relate to the twelve-month period ended May 31, 2017. Certain reclassifications have been made to conform to the current year presentation.

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 classroom 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

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 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 results

New Accounting Pronouncements

Forthcoming Adoptions:

Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") announced that it is amending the FASB Accounting Standards Codification by issuing Accounting Standards Update (the "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 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 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.