Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2013

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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 ongoing 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

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

New Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued an update to the authoritative guidance related to the reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. This new requirement about presenting information about amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and their corresponding effect on net income will present, in one place, information about significant amounts reclassified and, in some cases, cross-references to related footnote disclosures. The disclosure amendments in this update are effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact of this update on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and related disclosures, and will adopt this guidance in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.

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. The Company is evaluating the impact of this update on its consolidated financial position and results of operations.