Basis of Presentation

3 Months Ended

Nov. 30, 2012

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]

1. Basis of Presentation

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, comprehensive income, results of operations 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, 2012 (the “Annual Report”).

The Company’s fiscal year is not a calendar year. Accordingly, references in this document to fiscal 2012 relate to the twelve-month period ended May 31, 2012.

Segment

The Company determined that a software business previously reported in the Media, Licensing and Advertising segment should be reported in the Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment consistent with changes in the Company’s internal reporting structure. All prior periods reflect this change.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to conform to the current year presentation.

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The Company reported net amortization expense of prior service and gains and losses for pension and post-retirement benefit plans in Selling, general and administrative expenses of $1.3 and $2.4 for the three and six months ended November 30, 2012, respectively, and $1.5 and $2.8 for the three and six months ended November 30, 2011, respectively. These amounts had previously been recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.

Discontinued Operations

The Company closed or sold several operations during fiscal 2009, fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2012, and presently holds for sale one facility. All of these businesses are classified as discontinued operations in the Company’s financial statements. See Note 2, “Discontinued Operations,” for additional information.

Seasonality

The Company’s school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs and most of its magazines 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 book club and book fair revenues are greatest in the second and fourth quarters of the fiscal year, while revenues from the sale of instructional materials and educational technology products and services are highest in the first and fourth quarters. 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, returns and allowances

• Pension and other post-retirement obligations

• Uncertain tax positions

• Inventory reserves

• Gross profits for book fair operations during interim periods

• Sales taxes

• Royalty advance reserves

• Customer reward programs

• Impairment testing for goodwill, intangibles and other long-lived assets

Restricted Cash

The condensed consolidated balance sheets include restricted cash of $1.8, $1.0 and $0.5 at November 30, 2012, May 31, 2012 and November 30, 2011, respectively, which is reported in “Other current assets.”

New Accounting Pronouncements

In October 2012, the FASB issued an update to the authoritative guidance related to fair value information that arises after the measurement date and its inclusion in the impairment analysis of unamortized film costs. The amendments in this update eliminate the rebuttable presumption that the conditions leading to the write off of unamortized film costs after the balance sheet date existed as of the balance sheet date. The amendments also eliminate the requirement that an entity incorporate into fair value measurements used in the impairment tests the effects of any changes in estimates resulting from the consideration of subsequent evidence if the information would not have been considered by market participants at the measurement date. The amendments are effective for impairment assessments performed on or after December 15, 2012. The Company has determined there is no impact on its consolidated financial position and results of operations as a result of this updated guidance.

In July 2012, the FASB issued an update to the authoritative guidance related to the impairment testing of indefinite-lived intangible assets. Similar to the guidance for goodwill impairment testing, companies will have the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying value. The guidance provides companies with a revised list of examples of events and circumstances to consider, in their totality, to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the asset is less than its carrying amount. If a company concludes that this is the case, the company is required to perform the quantitative impairment test by comparing the fair value with the carrying value. Otherwise, a company can skip the quantitative test. Companies are not required to perform the qualitative assessment and are permitted to skip the qualitative assessment for any indefinite-lived asset in any period and proceed directly to the quantitative impairment test. The company may resume performing the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. The amendments are effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. Early adoption is permitted, including for annual and interim impairment tests performed as of a date before July 27, 2012, if a public entity’s financial statements for the most recent annual or interim period have not yet been issued. The Company is evaluating the impact of this update on its consolidated financial position and results of operations.