Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMHC) 10-Q 5 Nov 15 2015 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Oct. 30, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	HMHC
Entity Registrant Name	Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Co
Entity Central Index Key	1,580,156
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		134,299,959

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 377,043	$ 456,581
Short-term investments	146,492	286,764
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for bad debts and book returns of $33.1 million and $27.8 million, respectively	478,733	255,669
Inventories	185,600	183,961
Deferred income taxes	17,264	20,459
Prepaid expenses and other assets	29,052	18,665
Total current assets	1,234,184	1,222,099
Property, plant, and equipment, net	134,643	138,362
Pre-publication costs, net	326,975	236,995
Royalty advances to authors, net	45,779	46,777
Goodwill	783,923	532,921
Other intangible assets, net	939,617	801,969
Deferred income taxes	3,705	3,705
Other assets	37,009	28,279
Total assets	3,505,835	3,011,107
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt	8,000	67,500
Accounts payable	80,155	51,266
Royalties payable	96,289	80,089
Salaries, wages, and commissions payable	65,936	59,733
Deferred revenue	234,940	157,016
Interest payable	106	47
Severance and other charges	5,026	5,928
Accrued postretirement benefits	2,037	2,037
Other liabilities	37,679	27,015
Total current liabilities	530,168	450,631
Long-term debt, net of discount	786,222	175,625
Long-term deferred revenue	459,951	370,103
Accrued pension benefits	16,424	18,525
Accrued postretirement benefits	24,548	26,500
Deferred income taxes	151,218	112,220
Other liabilities	22,388	97,823
Total liabilities	$ 1,990,919	$ 1,251,427
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value: 20,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014
Common stock, $0.01 par value: 380,000,000 shares authorized; 144,931,777 and 142,000,019 shares issued at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively; 134,707,975 and 141,917,997 shares outstanding at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	$ 1,348	$ 1,420
Treasury stock, 10,223,802 and 82,022 shares at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, at cost	(239,408)
Capital in excess of par value	4,822,524	4,784,962
Accumulated deficit	(3,036,515)	(2,999,913)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(33,033)	(26,789)
Total stockholders' equity	1,514,916	1,759,680
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 3,505,835	$ 3,011,107

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowance for bad debts and book returns	$ 33.1	$ 27.8
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	380,000,000	380,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	144,931,777	142,000,019
Common stock, shares outstanding	134,707,975	141,917,997
Treasury stock, shares	10,223,802	82,022

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 575,507	$ 551,008	$ 1,118,059	$ 1,106,831
Costs and expenses
Cost of sales, excluding pre-publication and publishing rights amortization	220,492	205,395	485,137	464,839
Publishing rights amortization	19,358	25,048	61,649	80,575
Pre-publication amortization	32,437	33,463	86,809	94,500
Cost of sales	272,287	263,906	633,595	639,914
Selling and administrative	191,843	167,741	505,539	457,034
Other intangible assets amortization	7,255	3,029	14,734	8,981
Impairment charge for investment in preferred stock				1,279
Severance and other charges	1,563	181	3,605	5,300
Operating income (loss)	102,559	116,151	(39,414)	(5,677)
Other income (expense)
Interest expense	(10,196)	(4,662)	(22,310)	(13,354)
Change in fair value of derivative instruments	(42)	(1,252)	(1,893)	(1,560)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(878)		(3,051)
Income (loss) before taxes	91,443	110,237	(66,668)	(20,591)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(39,638)	3,207	(30,066)	7,166
Net income (loss)	$ 131,081	$ 107,030	$ (36,602)	$ (27,757)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders
Basic	$ 0.97	$ 0.76	$ (0.26)	$ (0.20)
Diluted	$ 0.94	$ 0.75	$ (0.26)	$ (0.20)
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic	135,169,318	140,742,786	138,978,746	140,269,383
Diluted	139,813,309	143,583,901	138,978,746	140,269,383

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 131,081	$ 107,030	$ (36,602)	$ (27,757)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	637	(485)	(1,828)	218
Net change in unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments	(4,461)		(4,461)
Net changes related to pension liabilities, reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
Amortization of prior service cost				243
Settlement loss recognized				1,740
Change in pension liability, net				1,983
Unrealized gain on short-term investments	45		45	4
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	(3,779)	(485)	(6,244)	2,205
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 127,302	$ 106,545	$ (42,846)	$ (25,552)

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	$ (36,602)	$ (27,757)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization expense	216,542	236,941
Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs	5,807	3,563
Deferred income taxes	42,193	3,052
Stock-based compensation expense	9,928	8,805
Loss on extinguishment of debt	3,051
Change in fair value of derivative instruments	1,893	1,560
Impairment charge for investment in preferred stock		1,279
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions
Accounts receivable	(191,826)	(207,212)
Inventories	12,074	(8,228)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	25,693	47,409
Royalties, net	15,718	16,103
Deferred revenue	147,583	244,043
Interest payable	59	(7)
Severance and other charges	(2,670)	(4,988)
Accrued pension and postretirement benefits	(4,053)	(10,236)
Other, net	(82,012)	(3,601)
Net cash provided by operating activities	163,378	300,726
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments	286,732	94,190
Purchases of short-term investments	(146,518)	(274,599)
Additions to pre-publication costs	(78,978)	(90,280)
Additions to property, plant, and equipment	(49,642)	(49,779)
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired	(578,190)	(9,091)
Net cash used in investing activities	(566,596)	(329,559)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from term loan	796,000
Payments of long-term debt	(245,125)	(1,875)
Payments of deferred financing fees	(15,255)
Repurchases of common stock	(239,408)
Tax withholding payments related to net share settlements of restricted stock units	(658)	(723)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	28,126	14,643
Net cash provided by financing activities	323,680	12,045
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(79,538)	(16,788)
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period	456,581	313,628
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(79,538)	(16,788)
End of period	377,043	296,840
Supplementary disclosure of cash flow information
Amounts due from seller for acquisition (noncash)	2,034
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of warrants (noncash)	1,815
Property, plant, and equipment acquired under capital leases (noncash)	1,912	3,644
Pre-publication Costs [Member]
Supplementary disclosure of cash flow information
Costs included in accounts payable (noncash)	10,545	8,534
Property, Plant, and Equipment [Member]
Supplementary disclosure of cash flow information
Costs included in accounts payable (noncash)	$ 4,028	$ 1,914

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	1. Basis of Presentation Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Company (“HMH”, “Houghton Mifflin Harcourt”, “we”, “us”, “our”, or the “Company”) is a global learning company, specializing in education solutions across a variety of media, delivering content, services and technology to over 50 million students in over 150 countries worldwide. We deliver our offerings to both educational institutions and consumers around the world. In the United States, we are the leading provider of Kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12) educational content by market share. We believe that nearly every current K-12 student in the United States has utilized our content during the course of his or her education. As a result, we believe that we have an established reputation with students and educators that is difficult for others to replicate and positions us to also provide broader content and services to serve their learning needs beyond the classroom. We believe our long-standing reputation and well-known brands enable us to capitalize on consumer and digital trends in the education market through our existing and developing channels. Furthermore, since 1832, we have published trade and reference materials, including adult and children’s fiction and non-fiction books that have won industry awards such as the Pulitzer Prize, Newbery and Caldecott medals and National Book Award, all of which are widely known. The consolidated financial statements of HMH include the accounts of all of our wholly-owned subsidiaries as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in our annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted consistent with Article 10 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, our unaudited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary by management to fairly state the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the interim periods presented. Interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year or for any future period. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements and the notes thereto also included therein. During the first quarter of 2014, we recorded an out-of-period correction of approximately $1.1 million reducing net sales and increasing deferred revenue that should have been deferred previously. In addition, during the first quarter of 2014, we recorded approximately $3.5 million of incremental expense, primarily commissions, related to the prior year. These out-of-period corrections had no impact on our debt covenant compliance. Management believes these out-of-period corrections are not material to the current period financial statements or any previously issued financial statements. During the quarter, an error was identified in certain disclosures within the Income Taxes footnote, as contained in our 2014 annual report on Form 10-K. This error had no effect on income tax expense or net income. The error also had no effect on the consolidated balance sheet as there is no change to the deferred tax assets or deferred tax liabilities accounts. The correction of the error impacts certain deferred tax components within the Income Taxes footnote. Deferred tax assets related to net operating loss and other carryforwards will decrease by approximately $15.1 million and deferred interest will increase by approximately $15.1 million, however, net deferred tax assets will be unchanged. Management believes the out-of-period correction is not material to any previously issued financial statements. The 2014 amounts will be revised in connection with the filing of our 2015 annual report on Form 10-K. Seasonality and Comparability Our net sales, operating profit and operating cash flows are impacted by the inherent seasonality of the academic calendar. Consequently, the performance of our businesses may not be comparable quarter to consecutive quarter and should be considered on the basis of results for the whole year or by comparing results in a quarter with results in the same quarter for the previous year. Schools make most of their purchases in the second and third quarters of the calendar year in preparation for the beginning of the school year. Thus, over the past three years, approximately 67% of consolidated net sales have historically been realized in the second and third quarters. Sales of K-12 instructional materials and customized testing products are also cyclical, with some years offering more sales opportunities than others. The amount of funding available at the state level for educational materials also has a significant effect on year-to-year net sales. Although the loss of a single school customer would not have a material adverse effect on our business, schedules of school adoptions and market acceptance of our products can materially affect year-to-year net sales performance.

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates	2. Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates Our financial results are affected by the selection and application of accounting policies and methods. There were no material changes in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 to the application of significant accounting policies and estimates as described in our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	3. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Recent accounting pronouncements not included below are not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position and results of operations. In September 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new accounting guidance which replaces the requirement that an acquirer in a business combination account for measurement period adjustments retrospectively with a requirement that an acquirer recognize adjustments to the provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The accounting guidance requires that an acquirer record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. This guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The guidance is to be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date of the guidance, with earlier application permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. Our early adoption of the accounting guidance in the third quarter of 2015 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures. In August 2015, the FASB issued guidance to defer the effective date of the new accounting guidance related to revenue recognition by one year to December 15, 2017 for annual reporting periods beginning after that date and permitted early adoption of the standard, but not before fiscal years beginning after the original effective date of December 15, 2016. This new accounting standard will replace all current U.S. GAAP guidance on this topic and eliminate all industry-specific guidance. The new revenue recognition standard provides a unified model to determine when and how revenue is recognized. The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration for which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance will be effective beginning January 1, 2018 and can be applied either retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. We are in the process of evaluating the impact that the adoption of this new revenue recognition standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures. In April 2015, the FASB issued new accounting guidance related to simplifying the presentation of debt issuance costs. This standard amends existing guidance to require the presentation of debt issuance costs in the balance sheet as a deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability instead of a deferred charge, consistent with debt discounts. The FASB later issued guidance in August 2015 stating that debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements may be presented as an asset and subsequently amortized ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the new accounting guidance. The new guidance will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, but early adoption is permitted. We evaluated the impact of adopting this standard and do not expect it to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	4. Acquisitions On April 23, 2015, we entered into a stock and asset purchase agreement with Scholastic Corporation (“Scholastic”) to acquire certain assets (including the stock of two of Scholastic’s subsidiaries) comprising its Educational Technology and Services (“EdTech”) business. On May 29, 2015, we completed the acquisition and paid an aggregate purchase price of $575.0 million in cash to Scholastic, subject to adjustments for working capital. $34.5 million of the purchase price was deposited into an escrow account to be held for 18 months as security for potential indemnification obligations of Scholastic. Portions of such escrow is released periodically during the 18-month period. The acquisition provided us with a leading position in intervention curriculum and services and extends our product offerings in key growth areas, including educational technology, early learning, and education services, creating a more comprehensive offering for students, teachers and schools. The transaction was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. Accordingly, the results of operations of the purchased assets of EdTech are included in our consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. We have allocated the purchase price to the EdTech assets acquired and liabilities assumed at estimated fair values as of May 29, 2015. The excess of the purchase price over the net of amounts assigned to the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed has been recorded as goodwill, which is allocated to our Education segment. The goodwill recognized is primarily the result of expected synergies. All of the goodwill and identifiable intangibles associated with the acquisition will be deductible for tax purposes. We are currently finalizing the assumed liabilities in connection with certain working capital adjustments; therefore the fair values set forth below are subject to adjustment as additional information is obtained. We expect to be completed during the fourth quarter of 2015. The preliminary valuation of assets and liabilities has been determined and the purchase price has been allocated as follows: Accounts receivable, net of allowance for bad debts and book returns of $2.2 million $ 31,237 Inventories 13,714 Prepaid expenses and other assets 803 Property, plant, and equipment 1,725 Pre-publication costs 98,610 Royalty advances to authors 1,093 Goodwill 251,002 Other intangible assets 214,030 Other assets 28 Accounts payable (8,117 ) Royalties payable (2,573 ) Deferred revenue (20,189 ) Other accruals (5,680 ) Total purchase price $ 575,683 The $214.0 million of other intangible assets included $54.7 million of tradenames amortizable over 20 years, and $159.3 million of customer relationships amortizable over 25 years. The tradenames are being amortized on a straight-line basis and the customer relationships over the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible is expected to be realized. The fair value of the other intangible assets was primarily derived using the income approach. The rate used to discount the net cash flows to their present value was based upon the weighted average cost of capital of 9.6%. This discount rate was determined based on the Capital Asset Pricing Model, which looks at the risk free rate and applies a market risk premium, business risk premium and size risk premium to the risk free rate to calculate the cost of equity. The weighted average cost of capital considers the cost of equity and a market participant cost of debt and capital structure. The tradenames were valued using a relief from royalty method and the customer relationships were valued using a multi-period excess earning method. Transaction costs related to the acquisition were approximately $5.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and are included in the selling and administrative line item in our consolidated statements of operations. The unaudited pro forma information presented in the following table summarizes the consolidated results of operations for the periods presented as if the acquisition of EdTech had occurred on January 1, 2014. The pro forma financial information is presented for comparative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that actually would have been achieved if the acquisition had occurred at the beginning of the periods, nor is it intended to be a projection of future results. For each period presented, the pro forma results include estimates of the interest expense on debt used to finance the acquisition, the amortization of the other intangible assets recorded in connection with the acquisition, the impact of the write-down of acquired deferred revenue to fair value and the related tax effects of the adjustments. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Net sales $ 578,464 $ 1,186,956 $ 638,043 $ 1,291,863 Net income (loss) 135,387 (50,693 ) 125,434 (16,899 ) Since the date of acquisition, May 29, 2015, we recorded approximately $100.4 million of net sales and $30.1 million of operating income attributable to EdTech within our consolidated statements of operations. On July 31, 2015, we acquired select ebook and technology assets of MeeGenius, which is an ebook subscription service for children up to eight years of age. The aggregate purchase price was approximately $0.5 million. The acquisition provided us with digital content for parents and young learners and supports our strategic focus on the direct to consumer market. There was no goodwill recorded and the aggregate purchase price was recorded to pre-publication costs.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	5. Inventories Inventories consisted of the following: September 30, December 31, Finished goods $ 179,864 $ 178,812 Raw materials 5,736 5,149 Inventory $ 185,600 $ 183,961

Goodwill and Other Intangible A

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	6. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill and other intangible assets consisted of the following: September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Cost Accumulated Amortization Cost Accumulated Amortization Goodwill $ 783,923 $ — $ 532,921 $ — Trademarks and trade names 494,335 (912 ) 439,605 — Publishing rights 1,180,000 (951,209 ) 1,180,000 (889,560 ) Customer related and other 442,640 (225,237 ) 283,340 (211,416 ) $ 2,900,898 $ (1,177,358 ) $ 2,435,866 $ (1,100,976 ) The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the periods ended September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows: Balance at December 31, 2014 $ 532,921 Acquisitions 251,002 Balance at September 30, 2015 $ 783,923 Goodwill $ 2,226,423 Accumulated impairment losses (1,442,500 ) Balance at September 30, 2015 $ 783,923 Amortization expense for trademarks and tradenames, publishing rights, and customer related and other intangibles were $26.6 million and $28.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $76.4 million and $89.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	7. Debt Our debt consisted of the following: September 30, December 31, $250,000 term loan due May 21, 2018 interest payable monthly $ — $ 243,125 $800,000 term loan due May 29, 2021 interest payable quarterly 794,222 — Total debt, net of discount $ 794,222 $ 243,125 Less: Current portion of long-term debt 8,000 67,500 Total long-term debt, net of discount $ 786,222 $ 175,625 Term Loan Facility In connection with our closing of the EdTech acquisition referred to in Note 4, we entered into an amended and restated term loan credit facility (the “New Term Loan Facility”) dated as of May 29, 2015 to increase our outstanding term loan credit facility from $178.9 million to $800.0 million, all of which was drawn at closing. The New Term Loan Facility matures on May 29, 2021 and the interest rate is based on LIBOR plus 3.0% or an alternative base rate plus applicable margins. LIBOR is subject to a floor of 1.0% with the length of the LIBOR contracts ranging up to six months at the option of the Company. The New Term Loan Facility may be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time, without premium, except in the case of a re-pricing event within the first 6 months of the New Term Loan Facility, in which case, a 1.00% premium shall be paid. The New Term Loan Facility is required to be repaid in quarterly installments equal to 0.25%, or $2.0 million, of the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the New Term Loan Facility immediately prior to the first quarterly payment date. The New Term Loan Facility was issued at a discount equal to 0.5% of the outstanding borrowing commitment. As of September 30, 2015, the interest rate of the New Term Loan Facility was 4.0%. The New Term Loan Facility does not require us to comply with financial covenants. The New Term Loan Facility is subject to usual and customary conditions, representations, warranties and covenants, including restrictions on additional indebtedness, liens, investments, mergers, acquisitions, asset dispositions, dividends to stockholders, repurchase or redemption of our stock, transactions with affiliates and other matters. The New Term Loan Facility is subject to customary events of default. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the administrative agent may, or at the request of certain required lenders shall, accelerate the obligations outstanding under the New Term Loan Facility. We are subject to Excess Cash Flow provisions under our New Term Loan Facility which is predicated upon our leverage ratio and cash flow. The Excess Cash Flow provision does not apply in 2015. On May 29, 2015, in connection with the New Term Loan Facility described above, we paid off the remaining outstanding balance of our previous $250.0 million Term Loan Facility (the “Term Loan Facility”) of approximately $179.6 million. The transaction was accounted for under the guidance for debt modifications and extinguishments. We incurred a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $2.2 million related to the write off of the portion of the unamortized deferred financing fees associated with the portion of the Term Loan accounted for as extinguishment associated with the Term Loan Facility. We incurred approximately $15.6 million of third-party fees for the transaction, of which approximately $13.6 million were capitalized as deferred financing fees and approximately $2.0 million was recorded to expense and included in the selling and administrative line item in our consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. In accordance with the Excess Cash Flow provisions of the Term Loan Facility, which were predicated upon our leverage ratio and cash flow, we made a $63.6 million principal payment on March 5, 2015. In connection with this principal payment, we recorded a $2.0 million write off of deferred financing costs, which was recognized as interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. In connection with the Excess Cash Flow payment, $1.5 million was reclassified from current portion of long-term debt to long-term debt as of March 31, 2015. On January 15, 2014, we entered into Amendment No. 4 to our Term Loan Facility, which reduced the interest rate applicable to outstanding borrowings by 1.0%. The transaction was accounted for under the accounting guidance for debt modifications and extinguishments. We recorded an expense of approximately $1.0 million relating to third party transaction fees which was included in the selling and administrative line item in our consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Interest Rate Hedging On August 17, 2015, we entered into interest rate derivative contracts with various financial institutions having an aggregate notional amount of $400.0 million to convert floating rate debt into fixed rate debt, which we designated as cash flow hedges, and had $400.0 million outstanding as of September 30, 2015. We assessed at inception, and re-assess on an ongoing basis, whether the interest rate derivative contracts are highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value of the hedged variable rate debt. These interest rate swaps were designated as hedges and qualify for hedge accounting under the accounting guidance related to derivatives and hedging. Accordingly, we recorded an unrealized loss of $4.5 million in our statements of comprehensive income to account for the changes in fair value of these derivatives during the period. The corresponding $4.5 million hedge liability is included within long-term other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2015. We had no interest rate derivative contracts outstanding as of December 31, 2014. Revolving Credit Facility On July 22, 2015, we entered into an amended and restated revolving credit facility (the “New Revolving Credit Facility”). The New Revolving Credit Facility provides borrowing availability in an amount equal to the lesser of either $250.0 million or a borrowing base that is computed monthly and comprised of the borrowers’ and the guarantors’ eligible inventory and receivables. The New Revolving Credit Facility includes a letter of credit subfacility of $50.0 million, a swingline subfacility of $20.0 million and the option to expand the facility by up to $100.0 million in the aggregate under certain specified conditions. The New Revolving Credit Facility may be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time, without premium. The transaction was accounted for under the accounting guidance for modifications to or exchanges of revolving debt arrangements. We incurred a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $0.9 million related to the write off of the portion of the unamortized deferred financing fees associated with the portion of the revolving credit facility accounted for as an extinguishment. We incurred approximately $1.6 million of third-party fees which were capitalized as deferred financing fees. The New Revolving Credit Facility requires the Company to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0 on a trailing four-quarter basis only during certain periods commencing when excess availability under the New Revolving Credit Facility is less than certain limits prescribed by the terms of the New Revolving Credit Facility. The New Revolving Credit Facility is subject to usual and customary conditions, representations, warranties and covenants, including restrictions on additional indebtedness, liens, investments, mergers, acquisitions, asset dispositions, dividends to stockholders, repurchase or redemption of our stock, transactions with affiliates and other matters. The New Revolving Credit Facility is subject to customary events of default. No amounts have been drawn on the New Revolving Credit Facility as of September 30, 2015. As of September 30, 2015, the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio covenant under our New Revolving Credit Facility was not applicable, due to our level of borrowing availability. The minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, which is only tested in limited situations, is 1.0 to 1.0 through the end of the facility. The following amendments relate to our previously existing revolving credit facility: On May 19, 2015, we entered into Amendment No. 4 to our revolving credit facility. Amendment No. 4 permits us to increase the aggregate amount of indebtedness we may incur under our term loan agreement to $800.0 million, plus the aggregate amount of any incremental facilities provided for therein. On April 23, 2015, we entered into Amendment No. 3 to our revolving credit facility. Amendment No. 3 permits us to increase the aggregate amount of indebtedness we may incur under our term loan agreement to $500.0 million, plus the aggregate amount of any incremental facilities provided for therein. Guarantees Under both the revolving credit facility and the New Term Loan Facility, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishers Inc., HMH Publishers LLC and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company are the borrowers (collectively, the “Borrowers”), and Citibank, N.A. acts as both the administrative agent and the collateral agent. The obligations under our senior secured credit facilities are guaranteed by the Company and each of its direct and indirect for-profit domestic subsidiaries (other than the Borrowers) (collectively, the “Guarantors”) and are secured by all capital stock and other equity interests of the Borrowers and the Guarantors and substantially all of the other tangible and intangible assets of the Borrowers and the Guarantors, including, without limitation, receivables, inventory, equipment, contract rights, securities, patents, trademarks, other intellectual property, cash, bank accounts and securities accounts and owned real estate. The revolving credit facility is secured by first priority liens on receivables, inventory, deposit accounts, securities accounts, instruments, chattel paper and other assets related to the foregoing (the “Revolving First Lien Collateral”), and second priority liens on the collateral which secures the term loan facility on a first priority basis. The term loan facility is secured by first priority liens on the capital stock and other equity interests of the Borrowers and the Guarantors, equipment, owned real estate, trademarks and other intellectual property, general intangibles that are not Revolving First Lien Collateral and other assets related to the foregoing, and second priority liens on the Revolving First Lien Collateral.

Severance and Other Charges

Severance and Other Charges	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Severance and Other Charges	8. Severance and Other Charges 2015 During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, $3.0 million of severance payments were made to employees whose employment ended in 2015 and prior years and $3.3 million of net payments for office space no longer utilized by the Company. Further, we recorded an expense in the amount of $3.2 million to reflect additional costs for severance, which we expect to be paid over the next twelve months, along with a $0.4 million accrual for vacated space. 2014 During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, $6.8 million of severance payments were made to employees whose employment ended in 2014 and prior years and $3.5 million of net payments for office space no longer utilized by the Company. Further, we recorded an expense in the amount of $3.8 million to reflect additional costs for severance, which have been substantially paid along with a $1.5 million accrual for additional space vacated. A summary of the significant components of the severance/restructuring and other charges is as follows: 2015 Severance/ restructuring accrual at December 31, 2014 Severance/ restructuring expense Cash payments Severance/ restructuring accrual at September 30, 2015 Severance costs $ 1,271 $ 3,176 $ (2,949 ) $ 1,498 Other accruals 9,050 429 (3,326 ) 6,153 $ 10,321 $ 3,605 $ (6,275 ) $ 7,651 2014 Severance/ restructuring accrual at December 31, 2013 Severance/ restructuring expense Cash payments Severance/ restructuring accrual at September 30, 2014 Severance costs $ 4,115 $ 3,824 $ (6,824 ) $ 1,115 Other accruals 11,416 1,476 (3,464 ) 9,428 $ 15,531 $ 5,300 $ (10,288 ) $ 10,543 The current portion of the severance and other charges was $5.0 million and $5.9 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	9. Income Taxes The computation of the annual estimated effective tax rate at each interim period requires certain estimates and significant judgment, including, but not limited to, the expected operating income for the year, projections of the proportion of income earned and taxed in various jurisdictions, permanent and temporary differences and the likelihood of recovering deferred tax assets generated in the current year. The accounting estimates used to compute the provision for income taxes may change as new events occur, more experience is acquired, additional information is obtained or as the tax environment changes. At the end of each interim period, we estimate the annual effective tax rate and apply that rate to our ordinary quarterly earnings. The amount of interim tax benefit recorded for the year-to-date ordinary loss is limited to the amount that is expected to be realized during the year or recognizable as a deferred tax asset at year end. The tax expense or benefit related to significant, unusual or extraordinary items that will be separately reported or reported net of their related tax effect, are individually computed, and are recognized in the interim period in which those items occur. In addition, the effect of changes in enacted tax laws or rates or tax status is recognized in the interim period in which the change occurs. For the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we recorded an income tax expense (benefit) of approximately $(39.6) million and $3.2 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we recorded an income tax expense (benefit) of approximately $(30.1) million and $7.2 million, respectively. The 2015 benefit was impacted by approximately $34.9 million attributed to a release of an accrual for uncertain tax positions as the statutory period expired. The effects of this reversal in uncertain tax positions is shown in the “Other, net” line item in the operating activities section of the statement of cash flows. For both periods, the income tax expense (benefit) was impacted by certain discrete tax items including the accrual of potential interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions. Including the tax effects of these discrete tax items, the effective rate was (43.3)% and 2.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and (45.1)% and 34.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Reserves for unrecognized tax benefits, excluding accrued interest and penalties, were $16.3 million and $63.2 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and included in other long-term liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company recognized approximately $74.3 million of uncertain tax benefits including interest and penalties in the three months ended September 30, 2015 due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. Approximately $34.9 million was recognized as a component of income tax expense (benefit) and $39.4 million was recognized through the consolidated balance sheet as additional deferred tax assets with a corresponding increase to the valuation allowance.

Retirement and Postretirement B

Retirement and Postretirement Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Retirement and Postretirement Benefit Plans	10. Retirement and Postretirement Benefit Plans We have a noncontributory, qualified defined benefit pension plan (the “Retirement Plan”), which covers certain employees. The Retirement Plan is a cash balance plan, which accrues benefits based on pay, length of service, and interest. The funding policy is to contribute amounts subject to minimum funding standards set forth by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code. The Retirement Plan’s assets consist principally of common stocks, fixed income securities, investments in registered investment companies, and cash and cash equivalents. We also have a nonqualified defined benefit plan, or nonqualified plan, that previously covered employees who earned over the qualified pay limit as determined by the Internal Revenue Service. The nonqualified plan accrues benefits for the participants based on the cash balance plan calculation. The nonqualified plan is not funded. We use a December 31 date to measure the pension and postretirement liabilities. In 2007, both the qualified and nonqualified pension plans eliminated participation in the plans for new employees hired after October 31, 2007. We also had a foreign defined benefit plan. On May 28, 2014, the plan was converted to individual annuity policies and the liability discharge occurred. We are required to recognize the funded status of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans as an asset or liability in the balance sheet and are required to recognize actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs and credits in other comprehensive income and subsequently amortize those items in the statement of operations. Further, we are required to use a measurement date equal to the fiscal year-end. Net periodic benefit cost (credit) for our pension and other postretirement benefits plans consisted of the following: Pension Plans Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 Interest cost $ 5,039 $ 6,031 Expected return on plan assets (7,317 ) (7,869 ) Amortization of prior service costs — 250 Amortization of net loss 248 3 Settlement loss recognized — 1,740 Net periodic benefit (credit) cost $ (2,030 ) $ 155 Other Post Retirement Plans Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 Service cost $ 154 $ 134 Interest cost 811 887 Amortization of prior service cost (1,036 ) (1,036 ) Amortization of net loss 165 — Net periodic benefit (credit) cost $ 94 $ (15 ) There were no contributions to the pension plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Contributions to the pension plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $6.6 million. We do not expect to make a contribution to the pension plans during 2015.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	11. Fair Value Measurements The accounting standard for fair value measurements, among other things, defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure for each major asset and liability category measured at fair value on either a recurring or nonrecurring basis. The accounting standard establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: Level 1 Observable input such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 Observable inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and Level 3 Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on one or more of three valuation techniques identified in the tables below. Where more than one technique is noted, individual assets or liabilities were valued using one or more of the noted techniques. The valuation techniques are as follows: (a) Market approach: Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities; (b) Cost approach: Amount that would be currently required to replace the service capacity of an asset (current replacement cost); and (c) Income approach: Valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on market expectations (including present value techniques). On a recurring basis, we measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value, including our money market funds, short-term investments which consist of U.S. treasury securities and U.S. agency securities, foreign exchange forward and option contracts, and interest rate derivatives contracts. The accounting standard for fair value measurements defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. In determining fair value, we utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible as well as consider counterparty and its credit risk in its assessment of fair value. Financial Assets and Liabilities The following tables present our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014: September 30, 2015 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Valuation Technique Financial assets Money market funds $ 256,375 $ 256,375 $ — (a ) U.S. treasury securities 9,028 9,028 — (a ) U.S. agency securities 137,464 — 137,464 (a ) $ 402,867 $ 265,403 $ 137,464 Financial liabilities Foreign exchange derivatives $ 92 $ — $ 92 (a ) Interest rate derivatives 4,461 — 4,461 (a ) $ 4,553 $ — $ 4,553 December 31, 2014 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Valuation Technique Financial assets Money market funds $ 438,907 $ 438,907 $ — (a ) U.S. treasury securities 93,004 93,004 — (a ) U.S. agency securities 194,028 — 194,028 (a ) $ 725,939 $ 531,911 $ 194,028 December 31, 2014 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Valuation Technique Financial liabilities Foreign exchange derivatives $ 1,370 $ — $ 1,370 (a ) $ 1,370 $ — $ 1,370 Our money market funds and U.S. treasury securities are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments. Our U.S. agency securities are classified within level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using other than quoted prices in active markets. In addition to $256.4 million and $438.9 million invested in money market funds as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, we had $120.6 million and $17.7 million of cash in bank accounts as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Our foreign exchange derivatives consist of forward and option contracts and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued based on observable inputs and are available for substantially the full term of our derivative instruments. We use foreign exchange forward and option contracts to fix the functional currency value of forecasted commitments, payments and receipts. The aggregate notional amount of the outstanding foreign exchange forward and option contracts was $16.7 million and $18.7 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Our foreign exchange forward and option contracts contain netting provisions to mitigate credit risk in the event of counterparty default, including payment default and cross default. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair value of our counterparty default exposure was less than $1.0 million and spread across several highly rated counterparties. Our interest rate derivatives instruments are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued based on observable inputs and are available for substantially the full term of our derivative instruments. Our interest rate risk relates primarily to U.S. dollar borrowings, partially offset by U.S. dollar cash investments. We have historically used interest rate derivative instruments to manage our earnings and cash flow exposure to changes in interest rates by converting floating-rate debt into fixed-rate debt. We designate these derivative instruments either as fair value or cash flow hedges under the accounting guidance related to derivatives and hedging. We record changes in the value of fair value hedges in interest expense, which is generally offset by changes in the fair value of the hedged debt obligation. Interest payments made or received related to our interest rate derivative instruments are included in interest expense. We record the effective portion of any change in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as unrealized gains or losses in other comprehensive income, net of tax, until the hedged cash flow occurs, at which point the effective portion of any gain or loss is reclassified to earnings. We record the ineffective portion of our cash flow hedges in interest expense. In the event the hedged cash flow does not occur, or it becomes no longer probable that it will occur, we reclassify the amount of any gain or loss on the related cash flow hedge to interest expense at that time. The aggregate notional amount of the outstanding interest rate derivative instruments was $400.0 million as of September 30, 2015. We had no interest rate derivative contracts outstanding as of December 31, 2014. We do not have significant concentrations of credit risk arising from our interest rate derivatives financial instruments, whether from an individual counterparty or a related group of counterparties. We manage the concentration of counterparty credit risk on our interest rate derivatives instruments by limiting acceptable counterparties to a diversified group of major financial institutions with investment grade credit ratings, limiting the amount of credit exposure to each counterparty, and actively monitoring their credit ratings and outstanding fair values on an ongoing basis. Furthermore, none of our derivative transactions contain provisions that are dependent on our credit ratings from any credit rating agency. We also employ master netting arrangements that reduce our counterparty payment settlement risk on any given maturity date to the net amount of any receipts or payments due between us and the counterparty financial institution. Thus, the maximum loss due to counterparty credit risk is limited to the unrealized gains in such contracts net of any unrealized losses should any of these counterparties fail to perform as contracted. Although these protections do not eliminate concentrations of credit risk, as a result of the above considerations, we do not consider the risk of counterparty default to be significant. Non-Financial Assets and Liabilities There were no impairments related to our non-financial assets and there were no non-financial liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis during 2015. The following table presents our non-financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during 2014: December 31, 2014 Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Total Impairment Valuation Technique Nonfinancial assets Investment in preferred stock $ — $ — $ 1,279 (b ) Other intangible assets 3,800 3,800 400 (a )(c) $ 3,800 $ 3,800 $ 1,679 Our non-financial assets, which include goodwill, other intangible assets, property, plant, and equipment, and pre-publication costs, are not required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. However, if certain trigger events occur, or if an annual impairment test is required, we evaluate the nonfinancial assets for impairment. If an impairment did occur, the asset is required to be recorded at the estimated fair value. An impairment analysis was not performed as there were no triggering events for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Fair Value of Debt The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair market values of our debt at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The fair value of debt is deemed to be the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Debt Term loan $ 794,222 $ 782,309 $ 243,125 $ 242,517 The fair market values of our debt were estimated based on quoted market prices on a private exchange for those instruments that are traded and are classified as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The fair market values require varying degrees of management judgment. The factors used to estimate these values may not be valid on any subsequent date. Accordingly, the fair market values of the debt presented may not be indicative of their future values.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	12. Commitments and Contingencies Contingencies We are involved in ordinary and routine litigation and matters incidental to our business. Litigation alleging infringement of copyrights and other intellectual property rights has become extensive in the educational publishing industry. Specifically, there have been various settled, pending and threatened litigation that allege we exceeded the print run limitation or other restrictions in licenses granted to us to reproduce photographs in our textbooks. While management believes that there is a reasonable possibility we may incur a loss associated with the pending and threatened litigation, we are not able to estimate such amount, but we do not expect any of these matters to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows. We have insurance over such amounts and with coverage and deductibles as management believes is reasonable. There can be no assurance that our liability insurance will cover all events or that the limits of coverage will be sufficient to fully cover all liabilities. We were contingently liable for $9.4 million and $11.3 million of performance-related surety bonds for our operating activities as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. An aggregate of $29.5 million and $20.2 million of letters of credit existed as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, of which $2.5 million and $2.4 million backed the aforementioned performance-related surety bonds as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. We routinely enter into standard indemnification provisions as part of license agreements involving use of our intellectual property. These provisions typically require us to indemnify and hold harmless licensees in connection with any infringement claim by a third party relating to the intellectual property covered by the license agreement. The assessment business routinely enters into contracts with customers that contain provisions requiring us to indemnify the customer against a broad array of potential liabilities resulting from any breach of the contract or the invalidity of the test. Although the term of these provisions and the maximum potential amounts of future payments we could be required to make is not limited, we have never incurred any costs to defend or settle claims related to these types of indemnification provisions. We therefore believe the estimated fair value of these provisions is inconsequential, and have no liabilities recorded for them as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, no individual customer comprised more than 10% of our accounts receivable, net balance. We believe that our accounts receivable credit risk exposure is limited and we have not experienced significant write-downs in our accounts receivable balances.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

Net Income (Loss) Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss) Per Share	13. Net Income (Loss) Per Share The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 Numerator Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders $ 131,081 $ 107,030 $ (36,602 ) $ (27,757 ) Denominator Weighted average shares outstanding Basic 135,169,318 140,742,786 138,978,746 140,269,383 Diluted 139,813,309 143,583,901 138,978,746 140,269,383 Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders Basic $ 0.97 $ 0.76 $ (0.26 ) $ (0.20 ) Diluted $ 0.94 $ 0.75 $ (0.26 ) $ (0.20 ) As we incurred a net loss in the nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, presented above, the outstanding stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and warrants for those periods have an anti-dilutive effect and therefore are excluded from the computation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding. Accordingly, basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding are equal for such periods. The following table summarizes our weighted average outstanding common stock equivalents that were anti-dilutive attributable to common stockholders during the periods, and therefore excluded from the computation of diluted EPS: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 Stock options 88,696 306,861 8,476,246 10,886,685 Restricted stock and restricted stock units — — 631,149 147,063 Warrants — — 7,336,648 —

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	14. Stockholders’ Equity Stock Repurchase Program On November 3, 2014, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $100.0 million in aggregate value of the Company’s common stock. Effective April 23, 2015, our Board of Directors authorized an additional $100.0 million under our existing share repurchase program and additionally, on May 6, 2015 authorized an incremental $300.0 million bringing the total aggregate authorization to $500.0 million. The aggregate $500.0 million share repurchase program was effective May 29, 2015. Repurchases under the program may be made from time to time in open market, including under a trading plan, or privately negotiated transactions. The extent and timing of any such repurchases would generally be at our discretion and subject to market conditions, applicable legal requirements and other considerations. Any repurchased shares may be used for general corporate purposes. The Company’s share repurchase activity was as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Cost of repurchases $ 48,170 $ 239,408 Shares repurchased 2,022,367 10,141,780 Average cost per share $ 23.80 $ 23.60 As of September 30, 2015, there was approximately $260.6 million available for share repurchases under this authorization. In connection with the Company’s stock repurchase program, during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company repurchased shares of its common stock from certain of its stockholders who (through affiliates of such stockholders) each beneficially owned more than 5% of the Company’s common stock at certain points during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. On May 20, 2015, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 6,521,739 shares from affiliates of Paulson & Co. Inc., for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $150.0 million. On June 30, 2015, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 1,306,977 shares from affiliates of Anchorage Capital Group, L.L.C., for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $33.5 million. On September 11, 2015, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 439,560 shares from affiliates of Paulson & Co. Inc., for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $10.0 million. The purchase prices for these shares were based on negotiated fair values which approximated either the closing prices of the shares or a slight discount to the closing price. The purchase prices from these share repurchases are included within repurchases of common stock under cash flows from financing activities in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and within treasury stock under stockholders’ equity in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2015. On November 3, 2015, our Board of Directors authorized an additional $500.0 million under our existing share repurchase program, bringing the total authorization to $1.0 billion. The aggregate share repurchase program may be executed through December 31, 2018. Repurchases under the program may be made from time to time in open market, including under a trading plan, or privately negotiated transactions. The extent and timing of any such repurchases would generally be at our discretion and subject to market conditions, applicable legal requirements and other considerations. Any shares repurchased may be used for general corporate purposes. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan Our Board of Directors adopted the 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan (“Plan”) in February 2015, which became effective on May 19, 2015 following stockholder approval. The Plan provides to grant up to an aggregate of 4.0 million shares of our common stock and approximately 2.6 million shares of our common stock that were reserved for issuance under the 2012 Management Incentive Plan (“2012 MIP”) as of May 19, 2015 but were not issuable pursuant to any outstanding awards. Approximately 10.6 million additional shares underlying outstanding awards under the 2012 MIP as of May 19, 2015 that could have otherwise become available again for grants under the 2012 MIP in the future (by potential forfeiture, withholding or otherwise) will instead become reserved for issuance under the Plan in the event such shares become available for future grants. Our Compensation Committee may grant awards of nonqualified stock options, incentive (qualified) stock options or cash, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance compensation awards, other stock-based awards or any combination of the foregoing. Certain employees, directors, officers, consultants or advisors who have been selected by the Compensation Committee and who enter into an award agreement with respect to an award granted to them under the Plan are eligible for awards under the 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to help us attract and retain key personnel by providing them the opportunity to acquire an equity interest in our Company. Employee Stock Purchase Plan Our Board of Directors adopted an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) in February 2015, which became effective on May 19, 2015 following stockholder approval. The ESPP provides for up to an aggregate of 1.3 million shares of our common stock may be made available for sale under the plan to eligible employees. At the beginning of each six-month offering period under the ESPP each participant is deemed to have been granted an option to purchase shares of our common stock equal to the amount of their payroll deductions during the period, but in any event not more than five percent of the employee’s eligible compensation, subject to certain limitations. Such options may be exercised only to the extent of accumulated payroll deductions at the end of the offering period, at a purchase price per share equal to 85 percent of the fair market value of our common stock at the beginning or end of each offering period, whichever is less. As of September 30, 2015, there were 1.3 million shares available for future issuance under the ESPP. The first offering period under the ESPP commenced on July 1, 2015. We record stock-based compensation expense related to the discount provided to participants. Also, we use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to calculate the grant-date fair value of shares issued under the employee stock purchase plan. We recognize expense related to shares purchased through the employee stock purchase plan ratably over the offering period.

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	15. Segment Reporting As of September 30, 2015, we had two reportable segments (Education and Trade Publishing). Our Education segment provides educational products, technology platforms and services to meet the diverse needs of today’s classrooms. These products and services include print and digital content in the form of textbooks, digital courseware, instructional aids, educational assessment and intervention solutions, which are aimed at improving achievement and supporting learning for students that are not keeping pace with peers, professional development and school reform services. Our Trade Publishing segment primarily develops, markets and sells consumer books in print and digital formats and licenses book rights to other publishers and electronic businesses in the United States and abroad. The principal markets for Trade Publishing products are retail stores, both physical and online, and wholesalers. Reference materials are also sold to schools, colleges, libraries, office supply distributors and other businesses. We measure and evaluate our reportable segments based on net sales and segment Adjusted EBITDA. We exclude from our segments certain corporate-related expenses, as our corporate functions do not meet the definition of a segment, as defined in the accounting guidance relating to segment reporting. In addition, certain transactions or adjustments that our Chief Operating Decision Maker considers to be non-operational, such as amounts related to goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges, restructuring-related charges, stock-based compensation charges, as well as amortization and depreciation expenses, are excluded from segment Adjusted EBITDA. Although we exclude these amounts from segment Adjusted EBITDA, they are included in reported consolidated net loss and are included in the reconciliation below. (in thousands) Three Months Ended Total Education Trade Publishing Corporate/ Other 2015 Net sales $ 532,245 $ 43,262 $ — $ 575,507 Segment Adjusted EBITDA 198,284 3,795 (10,537 ) 191,542 2014 Net sales $ 504,724 $ 46,284 $ — $ 551,008 Segment Adjusted EBITDA 206,257 7,222 (13,192 ) 200,287 (in thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30, Total Education Trade Publishing Corporate/ Other 2015 Net sales $ 1,003,556 $ 114,503 $ — $ 1,118,059 Segment Adjusted EBITDA 247,389 3,067 (31,079 ) 219,377 2014 Net sales $ 991,216 $ 115,615 $ — $ 1,106,831 Segment Adjusted EBITDA 285,346 7,844 (36,859 ) 256,331 Reconciliation of Segment Adjusted EBITDA to the consolidated statements of operations is as follows: (in thousands) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Total Segment Adjusted EBITDA $ 191,542 $ 200,287 $ 219,377 $ 256,331 Interest expense (10,196 ) (4,662 ) (22,310 ) (13,354 ) Depreciation expense (17,165 ) (17,564 ) (53,350 ) (52,885 ) Amortization expense (59,050 ) (61,540 ) (163,192 ) (184,056 ) Stock-based compensation expense (3,116 ) (2,861 ) (9,928 ) (8,805 ) Gain (loss) on derivative instruments (42 ) (1,252 ) (1,893 ) (1,560 ) Asset impairment charges — — — (1,279 ) Purchase accounting adjustments (4,046 ) (1,434 ) (5,120 ) (3,025 ) Fees, expenses or charges for equity offerings, debt or acquisitions — (461 ) (18,791 ) (4,151 ) Restructuring (4,043 ) (95 ) (4,805 ) (2,507 ) Severance, separation costs and facility closures (1,563 ) (181 ) (3,605 ) (5,300 ) Loss on extinguishment of debt (878 ) — (3,051 ) — Net income (loss) before taxes 91,443 110,237 (66,668 ) (20,591 ) Provision (benefit) for income taxes (39,638 ) 3,207 (30,066 ) 7,166 Net income (loss) $ 131,081 $ 107,030 $ (36,602 ) $ (27,757 )

Acquisitions (Tables)

Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Summary of Preliminary Valuation of Assets and Liabilities and Purchase Price Allocation	The preliminary valuation of assets and liabilities has been determined and the purchase price has been allocated as follows: Accounts receivable, net of allowance for bad debts and book returns of $2.2 million $ 31,237 Inventories 13,714 Prepaid expenses and other assets 803 Property, plant, and equipment 1,725 Pre-publication costs 98,610 Royalty advances to authors 1,093 Goodwill 251,002 Other intangible assets 214,030 Other assets 28 Accounts payable (8,117 ) Royalties payable (2,573 ) Deferred revenue (20,189 ) Other accruals (5,680 ) Total purchase price $ 575,683
Summary of Consolidated Results of Operations	The unaudited pro forma information presented in the following table summarizes the consolidated results of operations for the periods presented as if the acquisition of EdTech had occurred on January 1, 2014. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Net sales $ 578,464 $ 1,186,956 $ 638,043 $ 1,291,863 Net income (loss) 135,387 (50,693 ) 125,434 (16,899 )

Inventories (Tables)

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventories	Inventories consisted of the following: September 30, December 31, Finished goods $ 179,864 $ 178,812 Raw materials 5,736 5,149 Inventory $ 185,600 $ 183,961

Goodwill and Other Intangible24

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and other intangible assets consisted of the following: September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Cost Accumulated Amortization Cost Accumulated Amortization Goodwill $ 783,923 $ — $ 532,921 $ — Trademarks and trade names 494,335 (912 ) 439,605 — Publishing rights 1,180,000 (951,209 ) 1,180,000 (889,560 ) Customer related and other 442,640 (225,237 ) 283,340 (211,416 ) $ 2,900,898 $ (1,177,358 ) $ 2,435,866 $ (1,100,976 )
Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the periods ended September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows: Balance at December 31, 2014 $ 532,921 Acquisitions 251,002 Balance at September 30, 2015 $ 783,923 Goodwill $ 2,226,423 Accumulated impairment losses (1,442,500 ) Balance at September 30, 2015 $ 783,923

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Our debt consisted of the following: September 30, December 31, $250,000 term loan due May 21, 2018 interest payable monthly $ — $ 243,125 $800,000 term loan due May 29, 2021 interest payable quarterly 794,222 — Total debt, net of discount $ 794,222 $ 243,125 Less: Current portion of long-term debt 8,000 67,500 Total long-term debt, net of discount $ 786,222 $ 175,625

Severance and Other Charges (Ta

Severance and Other Charges (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Components of Severance/Restructuring and Other Charges	A summary of the significant components of the severance/restructuring and other charges is as follows: 2015 Severance/ restructuring accrual at December 31, 2014 Severance/ restructuring expense Cash payments Severance/ restructuring accrual at September 30, 2015 Severance costs $ 1,271 $ 3,176 $ (2,949 ) $ 1,498 Other accruals 9,050 429 (3,326 ) 6,153 $ 10,321 $ 3,605 $ (6,275 ) $ 7,651 2014 Severance/ restructuring accrual at December 31, 2013 Severance/ restructuring expense Cash payments Severance/ restructuring accrual at September 30, 2014 Severance costs $ 4,115 $ 3,824 $ (6,824 ) $ 1,115 Other accruals 11,416 1,476 (3,464 ) 9,428 $ 15,531 $ 5,300 $ (10,288 ) $ 10,543

Retirement and Postretirement27

Retirement and Postretirement Benefit Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit)	Net periodic benefit cost (credit) for our pension and other postretirement benefits plans consisted of the following: Pension Plans Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 Interest cost $ 5,039 $ 6,031 Expected return on plan assets (7,317 ) (7,869 ) Amortization of prior service costs — 250 Amortization of net loss 248 3 Settlement loss recognized — 1,740 Net periodic benefit (credit) cost $ (2,030 ) $ 155 Other Post Retirement Plans Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 Service cost $ 154 $ 134 Interest cost 811 887 Amortization of prior service cost (1,036 ) (1,036 ) Amortization of net loss 165 — Net periodic benefit (credit) cost $ 94 $ (15 )

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	The following tables present our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014: September 30, 2015 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Valuation Technique Financial assets Money market funds $ 256,375 $ 256,375 $ — (a ) U.S. treasury securities 9,028 9,028 — (a ) U.S. agency securities 137,464 — 137,464 (a ) $ 402,867 $ 265,403 $ 137,464 Financial liabilities Foreign exchange derivatives $ 92 $ — $ 92 (a ) Interest rate derivatives 4,461 — 4,461 (a ) $ 4,553 $ — $ 4,553 December 31, 2014 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Valuation Technique Financial assets Money market funds $ 438,907 $ 438,907 $ — (a ) U.S. treasury securities 93,004 93,004 — (a ) U.S. agency securities 194,028 — 194,028 (a ) $ 725,939 $ 531,911 $ 194,028 December 31, 2014 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Valuation Technique Financial liabilities Foreign exchange derivatives $ 1,370 $ — $ 1,370 (a ) $ 1,370 $ — $ 1,370
Summary of Non-financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Nonrecurring Basis	The following table presents our non-financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during 2014: December 31, 2014 Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Total Impairment Valuation Technique Nonfinancial assets Investment in preferred stock $ — $ — $ 1,279 (b ) Other intangible assets 3,800 3,800 400 (a )(c) $ 3,800 $ 3,800 $ 1,679
Summary of Carrying Amounts and Estimated Fair Market Values of Debt	The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair market values of our debt at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The fair value of debt is deemed to be the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Debt Term loan $ 794,222 $ 782,309 $ 243,125 $ 242,517

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Ta

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 Numerator Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders $ 131,081 $ 107,030 $ (36,602 ) $ (27,757 ) Denominator Weighted average shares outstanding Basic 135,169,318 140,742,786 138,978,746 140,269,383 Diluted 139,813,309 143,583,901 138,978,746 140,269,383 Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders Basic $ 0.97 $ 0.76 $ (0.26 ) $ (0.20 ) Diluted $ 0.94 $ 0.75 $ (0.26 ) $ (0.20 )
Summary of Anti-Dilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Diluted EPS	The following table summarizes our weighted average outstanding common stock equivalents that were anti-dilutive attributable to common stockholders during the periods, and therefore excluded from the computation of diluted EPS: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 Stock options 88,696 306,861 8,476,246 10,886,685 Restricted stock and restricted stock units — — 631,149 147,063 Warrants — — 7,336,648 —

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Share Repurchase Activity	The Company’s share repurchase activity was as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Cost of repurchases $ 48,170 $ 239,408 Shares repurchased 2,022,367 10,141,780 Average cost per share $ 23.80 $ 23.60

Segment Reporting (Tables)

Segment Reporting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Consolidated Net Loss	Although we exclude these amounts from segment Adjusted EBITDA, they are included in reported consolidated net loss and are included in the reconciliation below. (in thousands) Three Months Ended Total Education Trade Publishing Corporate/ Other 2015 Net sales $ 532,245 $ 43,262 $ — $ 575,507 Segment Adjusted EBITDA 198,284 3,795 (10,537 ) 191,542 2014 Net sales $ 504,724 $ 46,284 $ — $ 551,008 Segment Adjusted EBITDA 206,257 7,222 (13,192 ) 200,287 (in thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30, Total Education Trade Publishing Corporate/ Other 2015 Net sales $ 1,003,556 $ 114,503 $ — $ 1,118,059 Segment Adjusted EBITDA 247,389 3,067 (31,079 ) 219,377 2014 Net sales $ 991,216 $ 115,615 $ — $ 1,106,831 Segment Adjusted EBITDA 285,346 7,844 (36,859 ) 256,331
Consolidated Statements of Operations	Reconciliation of Segment Adjusted EBITDA to the consolidated statements of operations is as follows: (in thousands) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Total Segment Adjusted EBITDA $ 191,542 $ 200,287 $ 219,377 $ 256,331 Interest expense (10,196 ) (4,662 ) (22,310 ) (13,354 ) Depreciation expense (17,165 ) (17,564 ) (53,350 ) (52,885 ) Amortization expense (59,050 ) (61,540 ) (163,192 ) (184,056 ) Stock-based compensation expense (3,116 ) (2,861 ) (9,928 ) (8,805 ) Gain (loss) on derivative instruments (42 ) (1,252 ) (1,893 ) (1,560 ) Asset impairment charges — — — (1,279 ) Purchase accounting adjustments (4,046 ) (1,434 ) (5,120 ) (3,025 ) Fees, expenses or charges for equity offerings, debt or acquisitions — (461 ) (18,791 ) (4,151 ) Restructuring (4,043 ) (95 ) (4,805 ) (2,507 ) Severance, separation costs and facility closures (1,563 ) (181 ) (3,605 ) (5,300 ) Loss on extinguishment of debt (878 ) — (3,051 ) — Net income (loss) before taxes 91,443 110,237 (66,668 ) (20,591 ) Provision (benefit) for income taxes (39,638 ) 3,207 (30,066 ) 7,166 Net income (loss) $ 131,081 $ 107,030 $ (36,602 ) $ (27,757 )

Basis of Presentation - Additio

Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) Student in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended							9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)StudentCountry
Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Services provided, number of students | Student								50
Services provided, number of countries | Country								150
Decrease in operating loss and other carryforwards								$ 15.1
Increase in deferred interest								$ 15.1
First Quarter, 2014 [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Prior period adjustment description								During the first quarter of 2014, we recorded an out of period correction of approximately $1.1 million reducing net sales and increasing deferred revenue that should have been deferred previously. In addition, during the first quarter of 2014, we recorded approximately $3.5 million of incremental expense, primarily commissions, related to the prior year. These out-of-period corrections had no impact on our debt covenant compliance. Management believes these out-of-period corrections are not material to the current period financial statements or any previously issued financial statements and does not expect them to be material for the full fiscal year 2014.
Additional Net Sales [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Prior period correction amounts			$ 1.1
Incremental Expense [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Prior period correction amounts			$ 3.5
Seasonal Concentration Risk [Member] | Consolidated Net Sales [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Consolidated net sales, realized percentage	67.00%	67.00%		67.00%	67.00%	67.00%	67.00%

Acquisitions - Additional Infor

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail)	May. 29, 2015USD ($)	Apr. 23, 2015Subsidiaries	Jul. 31, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Other intangible assets				$ 214,030,000		$ 214,030,000
Weighted average cost of capital percentage						9.60%
Transaction cost related to acquisition				5,200,000		$ 5,200,000
Net sales				575,507,000	$ 551,008,000	1,118,059,000	$ 1,106,831,000
Business Acquisition, goodwill				783,923,000		783,923,000		$ 532,921,000
Trade Names [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Other intangible assets				54,700,000		$ 54,700,000
Other intangible assets, amortization period						20 years
Customer Relationships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Other intangible assets				$ 159,300,000		$ 159,300,000
Other intangible assets, amortization period						25 years
EdTech [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, purchase price	$ 575,000,000
Business acquisition future cash payment	$ 34,500,000
Business acquisition, cash deposited in escrow account	18 months
Business acquisition, date of acquisition agreement	Apr. 23, 2015
Net sales	$ 100,400,000
Operating income attributable	$ 30,100,000
Scholastic Corporation [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of subsidiaries assets including stock acquired | Subsidiaries		2
MeeGenius [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, purchase price			$ 500,000
Business Acquisition, goodwill			$ 0

Acquisitions - Summary of Preli

Acquisitions - Summary of Preliminary Valuation of Assets and Liabilities and Purchase Price Allocation (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Assets [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for bad debts and book returns of $2.2 million	$ 31,237
Inventories	13,714
Prepaid expenses and other assets	803
Property, plant, and equipment	1,725
Pre-publication costs	98,610
Royalty advances to authors	1,093
Goodwill	251,002
Other intangible assets	214,030
Other assets	28
Accounts payable	(8,117)
Royalties payable	(2,573)
Deferred revenue	(20,189)
Other accruals	(5,680)
Total purchase price	$ 575,683

Acquisitions - Summary of Pre35

Acquisitions - Summary of Preliminary Valuation of Assets and Liabilities and Purchase Price Allocation (Parenthetical) (Detail) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Assets [Abstract]
Allowance for bad debts and book returns	$ 2.2

Acquisitions - Summary of Conso

Acquisitions - Summary of Consolidated Results of Operations (Detail) - EdTech [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 578,464	$ 638,043	$ 1,186,956	$ 1,291,863
Net income (loss)	$ 135,387	$ 125,434	$ (50,693)	$ (16,899)

Inventories - Schedule of Inven

Inventories - Schedule of Inventories (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Finished goods	$ 179,864	$ 178,812
Raw materials	5,736	5,149
Inventory	$ 185,600	$ 183,961

Goodwill and Other Intangible38

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Schedule of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	$ 2,900,898	$ 2,435,866
Goodwill	783,923	532,921
Accumulated Amortization	(1,177,358)	(1,100,976)
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	494,335	439,605
Accumulated Amortization	(912)
Publishing Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	1,180,000	1,180,000
Accumulated Amortization	(951,209)	(889,560)
Customer Related and Other [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	442,640	283,340
Accumulated Amortization	$ (225,237)	$ (211,416)

Goodwill and Other Intangible39

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 532,921
Acquisitions	251,002
Balance at end of period	532,921	$ 783,923
Goodwill		2,226,423
Accumulated impairment losses		(1,442,500)
Balance at end of period	$ 532,921	$ 783,923

Goodwill and Other Intangible40

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense	$ 19,358	$ 25,048	$ 61,649	$ 80,575
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense	$ 26,600	$ 28,100	$ 76,400	$ 89,600

Debt - Long-Term Debt (Detail)

Debt - Long-Term Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt	$ 794,222	$ 243,125
Long term debt	794,222	243,125
Less: Current portion of long-term debt	8,000	67,500
Total long-term debt, net of discount	786,222	175,625
Term Loan Due May 21, 2018 [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt		243,125
Long term debt		$ 243,125
Term Loan Due May 29, 2021 [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt	794,222
Long term debt	$ 794,222

Debt - Long-Term Debt (Parenthe

Debt - Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail) - Term Loan [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	May. 29, 2015	May. 28, 2015
Term Loan Due May 21, 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan, face amount	$ 250,000
Term loan, due date	May 21, 2018
Term Loan Due May 29, 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan, face amount	$ 800,000	$ 800,000	$ 178,900
Term loan, due date	May 29, 2021

Debt - Additional Information (

Debt - Additional Information (Detail)

Jul. 22, 2015USD ($)

May. 29, 2015USD ($)

Mar. 05, 2015USD ($)

Jan. 15, 2014

Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)

Aug. 17, 2015USD ($)

May. 28, 2015USD ($)

May. 19, 2015USD ($)

Apr. 23, 2015USD ($)

Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Loss on extinguishment of debt

$ (878,000)

$ (3,051,000)

Expense relating to third party transaction fees

$ 1,000,000

Principal Payment, amount

$ 63,600,000

Deferred financing cost written down

$ 2,000,000

Principal payment date

Mar. 5, 2015

Amount reclassified from current portion of long-term debt to long-term debt

$ 1,500,000

Reduction in interest rate

(1.00%)

Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments

(4,461,000)

$ (4,461,000)

Financial covenants, description

As of September 30, 2015, the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio covenant under our Revolving Credit Facility was not applicable, due to our level of borrowing availability. The minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, which is only tested in limited situations, is 1.0 to 1.0 through the end of the facility.

New Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Loss on extinguishment of debt

$ (900,000)

Third party fee

$ 1,600,000

Revolving Credit Facility

250,000,000

0

0

New Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Subfacility [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Revolving Credit Facility

100,000,000

New Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Subfacility [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Revolving Credit Facility, current capacity

50,000,000

New Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Subfacility [Member] | Swingline [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Revolving Credit Facility, current capacity

$ 20,000,000

Interest Rate Hedging [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Aggregate notional amount of derivative instruments

$ 400,000,000

Aggregate notional amount outstanding interest rate

400,000,000

400,000,000

$ 0

Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments

$ (4,500,000)

$ 0

Minimum [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Fixed charge coverage ratio

1

Minimum [Member] | New Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Fixed charge coverage ratio

1

Term Loan [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Revolving Credit Facility

$ 800,000,000

$ 500,000,000

Term Loan Due May 29, 2021 [Member] | Term Loan [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Term loan, face amount

$ 800,000,000

$ 800,000,000

$ 800,000,000

$ 178,900,000

Term loan, due date

May 29, 2021

Re-pricing period

6 months

Premium on re-pricing

1.00%

1.00%

Percentage of principal amount to be repaid quarterly

0.25%

Amount to be repaid quarterly

$ 2,000,000

Repayment frequency

Quarterly

Repayment terms

The New Term Loan Facility may be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time, without premium, except in the case of a re-pricing event within the first 6 months of the New Term Loan Facility, in which case, a 1.00% premium shall be paid. The New Term Loan Facility is required to be repaid in quarterly installments equal to 0.25%, or $2.0 million, of the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the New Term Loan Facility immediately prior to the first quarterly payment date.

Percentage of outstanding borrowing commitment issued as discount

0.50%

Debt instrument effective rate

4.00%

4.00%

Term Loan Due May 29, 2021 [Member] | Term Loan [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Debt instrument basis spread

3.00%

Term Loan Due May 29, 2021 [Member] | Term Loan [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Minimum [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Debt instrument basis spread

1.00%

Term Loan Due May 21, 2018 [Member] | Term Loan [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Term loan, face amount

$ 250,000,000

$ 250,000,000

Term loan, due date

May 21, 2018

Repayment of term loan

$ 179,600,000

Loss on extinguishment of debt

$ (2,200,000)

Third party fee

$ 15,600,000

Deferred financing fees

$ 13,600,000

13,600,000

Expense relating to third party transaction fees

$ 2,000,000

Severance and Other Charges - A

Severance and Other Charges - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Payments for severance cost and office space no longer utilized			$ 6,275	$ 10,288
Severance/restructuring expense	$ 1,563	$ 181	3,605	5,300
Severance and other charges	$ 5,026		5,026		$ 5,928
Severance Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Payments for severance cost and office space no longer utilized			2,949	6,824
Severance/restructuring expense			3,176	3,824
Other Accruals [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Payments for severance cost and office space no longer utilized			3,326	3,464
Severance/restructuring expense			$ 429	$ 1,476

Severance and Other Charges - C

Severance and Other Charges - Components of Severance/Restructuring and Other Charges (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Severance/restructuring accrual, Beginning balance			$ 10,321	$ 15,531
Severance/restructuring expense	$ 1,563	$ 181	3,605	5,300
Cash payments			(6,275)	(10,288)
Severance/restructuring accrual, Ending balance	7,651	10,543	7,651	10,543
Severance Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Severance/restructuring accrual, Beginning balance			1,271	4,115
Severance/restructuring expense			3,176	3,824
Cash payments			(2,949)	(6,824)
Severance/restructuring accrual, Ending balance	1,498	1,115	1,498	1,115
Other Accruals [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Severance/restructuring accrual, Beginning balance			9,050	11,416
Severance/restructuring expense			429	1,476
Cash payments			(3,326)	(3,464)
Severance/restructuring accrual, Ending balance	$ 6,153	$ 9,428	$ 6,153	$ 9,428

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax expense (benefit)	$ (39,638)	$ 3,207	$ (30,066)	$ 7,166
Impact in accrual of interest and penalties	$ 34,900		$ 34,900
Effective tax rate	(43.30%)	2.90%	(45.10%)	34.80%
Unrecognized tax benefits	$ 16,300		$ 16,300		$ 63,200
Uncertain Tax Benefits [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax expense (benefit)	34,900
Uncertain tax benefit including interest and penalties recognized	74,300
Increase in valuation allowance	$ 39,400

Retirement and Postretirement47

Retirement and Postretirement Benefit Plans - Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Interest cost	$ 5,039	$ 6,031
Expected return on plan assets	(7,317)	(7,869)
Amortization of prior service cost		250
Amortization of net loss	248	3
Settlement loss recognized		1,740
Net periodic benefit (credit) cost	(2,030)	155
Other Post Retirement Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Service cost	154	134
Interest cost	811	887
Amortization of prior service cost	(1,036)	(1,036)
Amortization of net loss	165
Net periodic benefit (credit) cost	$ 94	$ (15)

Retirement and Postretirement48

Retirement and Postretirement Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Contributions for the pension and post retirement benefit plans	$ 0	$ 6,600,000
Expected additional contribution in 2015	$ 0

Fair Value Measurements - Summa

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Financial assets
Financial assets	$ 402,867	$ 725,939
Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities	4,553	1,370
Interest Rate Derivatives [Member]
Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities	4,461
Money Market Funds [Member]
Financial assets
Financial assets	256,375	438,907
U.S. Treasury Securities [Member]
Financial assets
Financial assets	9,028	93,004
U.S. Agency Securities [Member]
Financial assets
Financial assets	137,464	194,028
Foreign Exchange Derivatives [Member]
Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities	92	1,370
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Financial assets
Financial assets	265,403	531,911
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Financial assets
Financial assets	256,375	438,907
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | U.S. Treasury Securities [Member]
Financial assets
Financial assets	9,028	93,004
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Financial assets
Financial assets	137,464	194,028
Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities	4,553	1,370
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Interest Rate Derivatives [Member]
Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities	4,461
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | U.S. Agency Securities [Member]
Financial assets
Financial assets	137,464	194,028
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Foreign Exchange Derivatives [Member]
Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities	$ 92	$ 1,370

Fair Value Measurements - Addit

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Aug. 17, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial assets	$ 402,867,000		$ 725,939,000
Impairments related to non-financial assets	0
Non-financial liabilities fair value	0
Foreign Exchange Forward and Option Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount of derivative instruments	16,700,000		18,700,000
Interest Rate Hedging [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount of derivative instruments		$ 400,000,000
Aggregate notional amount outstanding interest rate	400,000,000		0
Maximum [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of counterparty default exposure	1,000,000		1,000,000
Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial assets	256,375,000		438,907,000
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial assets	265,403,000		531,911,000
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial assets	256,375,000		438,907,000
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial assets	137,464,000		194,028,000
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Bank Time Deposits [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial assets	$ 120,600,000		$ 17,700,000

Fair Value Measurements - Sum51

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Non-financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Nonrecurring Basis (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Nonfinancial assets
Nonfinancial assets, Total		$ 3,800
Total Impairment	$ 1,279	1,679
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Nonfinancial assets
Nonfinancial assets, Total		3,800
Investment in Preferred Stock [Member]
Nonfinancial assets
Total Impairment		1,279
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Nonfinancial assets
Nonfinancial assets, Total		3,800
Total Impairment		400
Other Intangible Assets [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Nonfinancial assets
Nonfinancial assets, Total		$ 3,800

Fair Value Measurements - Sum52

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Carrying Amounts and Estimated Fair Market Values of Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule Of Carrying Values And Estimated Fair Values Of Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Debt, carrying value	$ 794,222	$ 243,125
Term Loan [Member]
Schedule Of Carrying Values And Estimated Fair Values Of Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Debt, carrying value	794,222	243,125
Debt, estimated fair value	$ 782,309	$ 242,517

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)Customer	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)Customer
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Performance related surety bonds for which the Company is contingently liable	$ 9,400,000	$ 11,300,000
Aggregate letter of credit	29,500,000	20,200,000
Letter of credit backed by performance related surety bonds	2,500,000	2,400,000
Indemnification liabilities	$ 0	$ 0
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Individual [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Number of customers | Customer	0	0
Accounts Receivable [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, percentage	10.00%	10.00%

Net Income (Loss) Per Share - C

Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Numerator
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$ 131,081	$ 107,030	$ (36,602)	$ (27,757)
Denominator
Basic	135,169,318	140,742,786	138,978,746	140,269,383
Diluted	139,813,309	143,583,901	138,978,746	140,269,383
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders
Basic	$ 0.97	$ 0.76	$ (0.26)	$ (0.20)
Diluted	$ 0.94	$ 0.75	$ (0.26)	$ (0.20)

Net Income (Loss) Per Share - S

Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Summary of Anti-Dilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Diluted EPS (Detail) - shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Stock Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted EPS	88,696	306,861	8,476,246	10,886,685
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted EPS			631,149	147,063
Warrants [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted EPS			7,336,648

Stockholders' Equity - Addition

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Nov. 03, 2015	May. 06, 2015	Apr. 23, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 11, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	May. 20, 2015	May. 19, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Nov. 03, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program authorized additional amount		$ 300,000,000	$ 100,000,000
Stock repurchase Common Stock value, authorized		$ 500,000,000		$ 260,600,000						$ 100,000,000
Number of shares repurchased				10,223,802					82,022
Aggregate value of shares repurchased				$ 239,408,000
Paulson & Co. Inc [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares repurchased					439,560
Aggregate value of shares repurchased					$ 10,000,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program authorized additional amount	$ 500,000,000
Stock repurchase Common Stock value, authorized	$ 1,000,000,000
Stock Repurchase Program [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Minority percentage in company's common stock				5.00%
Stock Repurchase Program [Member] | Paulson & Co. Inc [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares repurchased							6,521,739
Aggregate value of shares repurchased							$ 150,000,000
Stock Repurchase Program [Member] | Anchorage Capital Group, L.L.C [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares repurchased						1,306,977
Aggregate value of shares repurchased						$ 33,500,000
Employees Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares available for grant				1,300,000				1,300,000
Employee stock purchase plan,description				At the beginning of each six-month offering period under the ESPP each participant is deemed to have been granted an option to purchase shares of our common stock equal to the amount of their payroll deductions during the period, but in any event not more than five percent of the employee’s eligible compensation, subject to certain limitations. Such options may be exercised only to the extent of accumulated payroll deductions at the end of the offering period, at a purchase price per share equal to 85 percent of the fair market value of our common stock at the beginning or end of each offering period, whichever is less.
2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock available for future issuance								4,000,000
2012 Management Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock available for future issuance								2,600,000
Common stock additional capital shares reserved for future issuance								10,600,000

Stockholders' Equity - Schedule

Stockholders' Equity - Schedule of Share Repurchase Activity (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Cost of repurchases	$ 48,170	$ 239,408
Shares repurchased	2,022,367	10,141,780
Average cost per share	$ 23.80	$ 23.60

Segment Reporting - Additional

Segment Reporting - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reportable segments	2

Segment Reporting - Consolidate

Segment Reporting - Consolidated Net Loss (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 575,507	$ 551,008	$ 1,118,059	$ 1,106,831
Segment Adjusted EBITDA	191,542	200,287	219,377	256,331
Operating Segments [Member] | Education [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	532,245	504,724	1,003,556	991,216
Segment Adjusted EBITDA	198,284	206,257	247,389	285,346
Operating Segments [Member] | Trade Publishing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	43,262	46,284	114,503	115,615
Segment Adjusted EBITDA	3,795	7,222	3,067	7,844
Corporate/Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment Adjusted EBITDA	$ (10,537)	$ (13,192)	$ (31,079)	$ (36,859)

Segment Reporting - Consolida60

Segment Reporting - Consolidated Statements of Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Total Segment Adjusted EBITDA	$ 191,542	$ 200,287	$ 219,377	$ 256,331
Interest expense	(10,196)	(4,662)	(22,310)	(13,354)
Depreciation expense	(17,165)	(17,564)	(53,350)	(52,885)
Amortization expense	(59,050)	(61,540)	(163,192)	(184,056)
Stock-based compensation expense	(3,116)	(2,861)	(9,928)	(8,805)
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments	(42)	(1,252)	(1,893)	(1,560)
Asset impairment charges				(1,279)	$ (1,679)
Purchase accounting adjustments	(4,046)	(1,434)	(5,120)	(3,025)
Fees, expenses or charges for equity offerings, debt or acquisitions		(461)	(18,791)	(4,151)
Restructuring	(4,043)	(95)	(4,805)	(2,507)
Severance, separation costs and facility closures	(1,563)	(181)	(3,605)	(5,300)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(878)		(3,051)
Income (loss) before taxes	91,443	110,237	(66,668)	(20,591)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(39,638)	3,207	(30,066)	7,166
Net income (loss)	$ 131,081	$ 107,030	$ (36,602)	$ (27,757)