Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMHC) 10-Q 6 Aug 20 2020 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Aug. 03, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Amendment Flag	false
Document Type	10-Q
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2020
Entity Central Index Key	0001580156
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Registrant Name	Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Co
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Trading Symbol	HMHC
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		125,830,138
Document Transition Report	false
Document Quarterly Report	true
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity File Number	001-36166
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	27-1566372
Entity Address, Address Line One	125 High Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Boston
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	02110
City Area Code	617
Entity Address, State or Province	MA
Local Phone Number	351-5000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 138,824	$ 296,353
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for bad debts and book returns of $18.9 million and $19.7 million, respectively	273,168	184,425
Inventories	237,226	213,059
Prepaid expenses and other assets	23,519	19,257
Total current assets	672,737	713,094
Property, plant, and equipment, net	100,925	100,388
Pre-publication costs, net	239,208	268,197
Royalty advances to authors, net	43,038	44,743
Goodwill	454,977	716,977
Other intangible assets, net	451,146	474,225
Operating lease assets	132,065	132,247
Deferred income taxes	2,520	2,520
Deferred commissions	31,027	29,291
Other assets	38,727	31,490
Total assets	2,166,370	2,513,172
Current liabilities
Revolving credit facility	100,000
Current portion of long-term debt	19,000	19,000
Accounts payable	65,647	52,128
Royalties payable	49,154	72,985
Salaries, wages, and commissions payable	28,225	54,938
Deferred revenue	277,827	305,285
Interest payable	10,750	3,826
Severance and other charges	4,090	12,407
Accrued postretirement benefits	1,571	1,571
Operating lease liabilities	9,231	8,685
Other liabilities	27,876	24,325
Total current liabilities	593,371	555,150
Long-term debt, net of discount and issuance costs	631,427	638,187
Operating lease liabilities	135,420	134,994
Long-term deferred revenue	556,200	542,821
Accrued pension benefits	23,229	23,648
Accrued postretirement benefits	13,969	15,113
Deferred income taxes	20,376	30,871
Other liabilities	3,493	6,028
Total liabilities	1,977,485	1,946,812
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
Stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value: 20,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019
Common stock, $0.01 par value: 380,000,000 shares authorized; 150,132,650 and 148,928,328 shares issued at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively; 125,555,616 and 124,351,294 shares outstanding at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively	1,501	1,489
Treasury stock, 24,577,034 shares as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, at cost	(518,030)	(518,030)
Capital in excess of par value	4,912,270	4,906,165
Accumulated deficit	(4,160,133)	(3,775,992)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(46,723)	(47,272)
Total stockholders’ equity	188,885	566,360
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 2,166,370	$ 2,513,172

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowances for bad debts and book returns	$ 18.9	$ 19.7
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	150,132,650	148,928,328
Common stock, shares outstanding	125,555,616	124,351,294
Treasury stock, shares	24,577,034	24,577,034

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 251,216,000	$ 388,896,000	$ 441,141,000	$ 583,531,000
Costs and expenses
Cost of sales, excluding publishing rights and pre-publication amortization	124,360,000	190,831,000	214,372,000	286,886,000
Publishing rights amortization	4,709,000	6,271,000	10,534,000	13,876,000
Pre-publication amortization	31,758,000	35,739,000	62,396,000	68,821,000
Cost of sales	160,827,000	232,841,000	287,302,000	369,583,000
Selling and administrative	106,329,000	175,266,000	239,682,000	327,249,000
Other intangible asset amortization	6,272,000	6,612,000	12,545,000	13,136,000
Impairment charge for goodwill	0		262,000,000	0
Restructuring/severance and other charges		4,430,000		5,651,000
Operating loss	(22,212,000)	(30,253,000)	(360,388,000)	(132,088,000)
Other income (expense)
Retirement benefits non-service income	61,000	42,000	122,000	84,000
Interest expense	(17,482,000)	(11,963,000)	(34,265,000)	(23,545,000)
Interest income	75,000	97,000	841,000	1,189,000
Change in fair value of derivative instruments	120,000	16,000	(260,000)	(434,000)
Income from transition services agreement		1,851,000		3,677,000
Loss before taxes	(39,438,000)	(40,210,000)	(393,950,000)	(151,117,000)
Income tax (benefit) expense	(1,270,000)	403,000	(9,809,000)	6,858,000
Net loss	$ (38,168,000)	$ (40,613,000)	$ (384,141,000)	$ (157,975,000)
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders
Net loss	$ (0.30)	$ (0.33)	$ (3.07)	$ (1.27)
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic and diluted	125,458,566	124,147,961	125,073,770	123,974,266

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (38,168)	$ (40,613)	$ (384,141)	$ (157,975)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(67)	105	(180)	(127)
Unrealized gain on short-term investments, net of tax				9
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments, net of tax	1,060	(2,077)	729	(3,404)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	993	(1,972)	549	(3,522)
Comprehensive loss	$ (37,175)	$ (42,585)	$ (383,592)	$ (161,497)

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	$ (384,141,000)	$ (157,975,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities
Depreciation and amortization expense	111,081,000	135,649,000
Amortization and impairments of operating lease assets	6,654,000	9,441,000
Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs	2,990,000	2,090,000
Deferred income taxes	(10,495,000)	5,741,000
Stock-based compensation expense	5,639,000	7,259,000
Impairment charge for goodwill	262,000,000	0
Change in fair value of derivative instruments	260,000	434,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions
Accounts receivable	(88,743,000)	(228,475,000)
Inventories	(24,167,000)	(83,561,000)
Other assets	(16,019,000)	(15,568,000)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(10,986,000)	22,495,000
Royalties payable and author advances, net	(22,126,000)	(9,178,000)
Deferred revenue	(14,079,000)	60,098,000
Interest payable	6,924,000	348,000
Severance and other charges	(8,317,000)	252,000
Accrued pension and postretirement benefits	(1,561,000)	(1,325,000)
Operating lease liabilities	(5,500,000)	(8,419,000)
Other liabilities	1,310,000	(5,231,000)
Net cash used in operating activities	(189,276,000)	(265,925,000)
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments		50,000,000
Additions to pre-publication costs	(34,850,000)	(55,591,000)
Additions to property, plant, and equipment	(24,358,000)	(18,358,000)
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired		(5,447,000)
Net cash used in investing activities	(59,208,000)	(29,396,000)
Cash flows from financing activities
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	150,000,000	60,000,000
Payments of revolving credit facility	(50,000,000)
Payments of long-term debt	(9,500,000)	(4,000,000)
Tax withholding payments related to net share settlements of restricted stock units	(48,000)	(1,929,000)
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan	503,000	506,000
Net collections under transition services agreement		2,493,000
Net cash provided by financing activities	90,955,000	57,070,000
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(157,529,000)	(238,251,000)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	296,353,000	253,365,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	138,824,000	15,114,000
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Interest paid	24,541,000	21,937,000
Income taxes paid	48,000	405,000
Non-cash investing activities
Property, plant, and equipment acquired under finance leases	245,000	404,000
Pre-publication Costs [Member]
Non-cash investing activities
Costs included in accounts payable and accruals	4,038,000	15,288,000
Property, Plant, and Equipment [Member]
Non-cash investing activities
Costs included in accounts payable and accruals	$ 2,290,000	$ 2,103,000

Consolidated Statements of Stoc

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 768,470	$ 725	$ 1,481	$ (518,030)	$ 4,893,174	$ (3,562,971)	$ 725	$ (45,184)
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2018			148,164,854
Accounting Standards Update [Extensible List]	us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member
Net loss	$ (117,362)					(117,362)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(1,550)							(1,550)
Issuance of common stock for employee purchase plan	702		$ 1		701
Issuance of common stock for employee purchase plan, shares			78,105
Issuance of common stock for vesting of restricted stock units			$ 5		(5)
Issuance of common stock for vesting of restricted stock units, shares			444,622
Stock withheld to cover tax withholdings requirements upon vesting of restricted stock units	(1,756)				(1,756)
Stock-based compensation expense	3,442				3,442
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2019	652,671	87	$ 1,487	(518,030)	4,895,556	(3,679,608)	87	(46,734)
Ending balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2019			148,687,581
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018	768,470	725	$ 1,481	(518,030)	4,893,174	(3,562,971)	725	(45,184)
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2018			148,164,854
Net loss	(157,975)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019	613,605		$ 1,487	(518,030)	4,898,988	(3,720,134)		(48,706)
Ending balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2019			148,785,426
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2019	$ 652,671	$ 87	$ 1,487	(518,030)	4,895,556	(3,679,608)	$ 87	(46,734)
Beginning balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2019			148,687,581
Accounting Standards Update [Extensible List]	us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member
Net loss	$ (40,613)					(40,613)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(1,972)							(1,972)
Issuance of common stock for employee purchase plan	1				1
Issuance of common stock for vesting of restricted stock units, shares			97,845
Stock withheld to cover tax withholdings requirements upon vesting of restricted stock units	(173)				(173)
Stock-based compensation expense	3,604				3,604
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019	613,605		$ 1,487	(518,030)	4,898,988	(3,720,134)		(48,706)
Ending balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2019			148,785,426
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019	566,360		$ 1,489	(518,030)	4,906,165	(3,775,992)		(47,272)
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2019			148,928,328
Net loss	(345,973)					(345,973)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(444)							(444)
Issuance of common stock for employee purchase plan	679		$ 1		678
Issuance of common stock for employee purchase plan, shares			104,331
Issuance of common stock for vesting of restricted stock units			$ 10		(10)
Issuance of common stock for vesting of restricted stock units, shares			950,496
Stock withheld to cover tax withholdings requirements upon vesting of restricted stock units	(48)				(48)
Stock-based compensation expense	3,386				3,386
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2020	223,960		$ 1,500	(518,030)	4,910,171	(4,121,965)		(47,716)
Ending balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2020			149,983,155
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019	566,360		$ 1,489	(518,030)	4,906,165	(3,775,992)		(47,272)
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2019			148,928,328
Net loss	(384,141)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2020	188,885		$ 1,501	(518,030)	4,912,270	(4,160,133)		(46,723)
Ending balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2020			150,132,650
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2020	223,960		$ 1,500	(518,030)	4,910,171	(4,121,965)		(47,716)
Beginning balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2020			149,983,155
Net loss	(38,168)					(38,168)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	993							993
Issuance of common stock for employee purchase plan	(1)				(1)
Issuance of common stock for vesting of restricted stock units			$ 1		(1)
Issuance of common stock for vesting of restricted stock units, shares			149,495
Stock-based compensation expense	2,101				2,101
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2020	$ 188,885		$ 1,501	$ (518,030)	$ 4,912,270	$ (4,160,133)		$ (46,723)
Ending balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2020			150,132,650

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
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 learning company committed to delivering connected solutions that engage learners, empower educators and improve student outcomes. As a leading provider of Kindergarten through 12 th We are organized along two business segments: Education and HMH Books & Media. Within our Education segment, we focus on the K-12 market and, in the United States, we are a market leader. We specialize in comprehensive core curriculum, supplemental and intervention solutions, and we provide ongoing support in professional learning and coaching for educators and administrators. Our offerings are rooted in learning science, and we work with research partners, universities and third-party organizations as we design, build, implement and iterate our offerings to maximize their effectiveness. We are purposeful about innovation, leveraging technology to create engaging and immersive experiences designed to deepen learning experiences for students and to extend teachers’ capabilities so that they can focus on making meaningful connections with their students. Our diverse portfolio enables us to help ensure that every student and teacher has the tools needed for success. We are able to build deep partnerships with school districts and leverage the scope of our offerings to provide holistic solutions at scale with the support of our far-reaching sales force and talented field-based specialists and consultants. We provide print, digital, and blended print/digital solutions that are tailored to a district’s needs, goals and technological readiness. Furthermore, for nearly two centuries, our HMH Books & Media segment has brought renowned and awarded children’s, fiction, non-fiction, culinary and reference titles to readers throughout the world. Our distinguished author list includes ten Nobel Prize winners, forty-nine Pulitzer Prize winners, and twenty-six National Book Award winners. We are home to popular characters and titles such as Curious George, Carmen Sandiego, The Lord of the Rings, The Whole30, The Polar Express, 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 footnote 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 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. Our accompanying consolidated financial statements include the results of operations of the Company and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Seasonality and Comparability Our net sales, operating profit or loss and net cash provided by or used in operations are impacted by the inherent seasonality of the academic calendar, which typically results in a cash flow usage in the first half of the year and a cash flow generation in the second half of the year. 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. Moreover, uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic may result in 2020 not following this historic pattern. Approximately 87% of our net sales for the year ended December 31, 2019 were derived from our Education segment, which is a markedly seasonal business. Schools typically conduct the majority of their purchases in the second and third quarters of the calendar year in preparation for the beginning of the school year. Thus, for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, approximately 67% of our consolidated net sales were 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 in light of the state adoption calendar. 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 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.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Extraordinary And Unusual Items [Abstract]
Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic	2. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic The unprecedented and rapid spread of COVID-19 and the resulting social distancing measures, including business and school closures implemented by federal, state and local authorities, have significantly reduced customer demand for our solutions and services, disrupted portions of our supply chain and warehousing operations and also disrupted our ability to deliver our educational solutions and services. We continue to monitor indicators of demand, including our sales pipeline, customer orders and product shipments, as well as observe the impact to state revenues and related educational budgets to ascertain an estimate of the full-year impact; however, the length and severity of the reduction in demand due to the pandemic remains uncertain, and that uncertainty is heightened by the fact that various schools have not yet made definitive decisions regarding whether to reopen this fall for in-person and/or remote learning. Accordingly, we expect that our full year results will be adversely impacted. While we are planning for a demand recovery in the second half of 2020 as our customers prepare for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year, the exact timing and pace of recovery is uncertain given the significant disruption caused by the pandemic on the operations of our customers. Our expense management and liquidity measures may be modified as we obtain additional clarity on the timing of customer demand recovery. In response to these developments, we have implemented measures to help mitigate the impact on our financial position and operations. These measures include, but are not limited to, the following: Expense Management. With the reduction in net sales, we have, and will continue to implement cost saving initiatives, including: • director, executive and senior leadership salary reductions, and for the majority of employees, a four-day work week with associated labor cost reductions, in each case beginning in April 2020 and ceasing near the end of July 2020; • a freeze on spending not directly tied to near-term billings, including a reduction in all discretionary spending such as marketing, advertising, travel, and office supplies; • temporary closures of warehousing and distribution centers from late March through early April; and • commencing a voluntary early retirement incentive program in August 2020, as discussed below. Balance Sheet, Cash Flow and Liquidity. In addition to the expense management actions noted above, we have taken the following actions to increase liquidity and strengthen our financial position. • reduced inventory purchasing; • deferred long-term capital projects not directly contributing to billings in 2020; and • deferred the payment of our employer payroll taxes allowed under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. In March and April 2020, we also borrowed $150 million of our revolving credit facility as a preemptive measure to mitigate against capital markets disruptions. As of August 6, 2020, no amounts remained outstanding under the revolving credit facility. Early Retirement Incentive Program . On August 6, 2020, we commenced a voluntary early retirement incentive program that is being offered to all U. S. based employees who are at least 55 years of age and have at least five years of service with the Company. We estimate that there are 625 employees, or approximately 18% of our employee base, who are eligible to participate in this program. Under the program, employees who are close to retirement may accelerate their retirement in exchange for separation payments in accordance with the Company’s severance policy and other modest incentives. This action is aligned with the Company’s Strategic Transformation Plan launched in the fourth quarter of 2019 to streamline the cost structure of the Company. We are unable to estimate the participation rate or cost of the program, which is scheduled to conclude during the third quarter of 2020, at this time. All of the charges incurred by the Company in connection with this program will result in future cash expenditures by the Company. After reviewing whether conditions and/or events raise substantial doubt about our ability to meet future financial obligations over the next twelve months, including consideration of our recent actions, we have concluded our net cash from operations combined with our cash and cash equivalents and borrowing availability under our revolving credit facility will provide sufficient liquidity to fund our current obligations, capital spending, debt service requirements and working capital requirements over at least the next twelve months. Our primary credit facilities do not require us to comply with financial maintenance covenants. The ability of the Company to fund planned operations is based on assumptions which involve significant judgment and estimates of future revenues, capital spend and other operating costs. Our current assumptions are that businesses will reopen for selling and school districts will continue to resume purchasing and most or all will become operational, either in-person , fully remote or hybrid , during the third quarter of 2020. We have performed a sensitivity analysis on these assumptions to forecast the impact of a slower-than-anticipated recovery and believe we can take additional financial and operational actions to mitigate the impact of lower billings than our current plans assume. These actions include , but are not limited to, additional expense reductions, asset sales, and capital raising activities . Valuation of Goodwill, Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets and Long-Lived Assets We perform a fair value-based impairment test to the carrying value of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets on an annual basis (as of October 1) and, if certain events or circumstances indicate that an impairment loss may have been incurred, on an interim basis. Our fourth quarter 2019 quantitative impairment tests of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets indicated that there was no indication of impairment as the fair value exceeded our carrying value. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, our stock price declined to historical lows since our 2013 initial public offering. We determined that the significant decline in our market capitalization and broader economic downturn arising from the COVID-19 pandemic Therefore, we concluded that quantitative analyses were required to be performed due to the triggering event occurring during the first quarter of 2020. G oodwill is allocated entirely to our Education reporting unit. We utilized an implied market value method under the market approach to calculate the fair value of the Education reporting unit as of March 31, 2020, which we determined was the best approximation of fair value of the Education reporting unit in the current social and economic environment. We have previously used a combination of the implied market value method and guideline public company method approach. The relevant inputs, estimates and assumptions used in the valuation include our market capitalization as of March 31, 2020, selection of a control premium, and the determination of appropriate market comparables to value the HMH Books & Media reporting unit, as well as the fair value of individual assets and liabilities. Based on our interim impairment assessment as of March 31, 2020, we concluded that our goodwill, which is wholly attributed to the Education reporting unit, was impaired and, accordingly, recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $262.0 million. No impairment triggering events were identified during the three months ended June 30, 2020. Additionally, as a result of the triggering events identified in the first quarter, we performed quantitative impairment analyses over our indefinite-lived intangible assets and long-lived assets. With regards to indefinite-lived intangible assets, which includes the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt tradename at March 31, 2020, the recoverability was evaluated using a one-step process whereby we determined the fair value by asset and then compared it to its carrying value to determine if the asset was impaired. We estimated the fair value by preparing a relief-from-royalty discounted cash flow analysis using forward looking revenue projections. The significant assumptions used in discounted cash flow analysis included: future net sales, a long-term growth rate, a royalty rate and a discount rate used to present value future cash flows and the terminal value of the Education reporting unit. The discount rate was based on the weighted-average cost of capital method at the date of the evaluation. The fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets was in excess of its carrying value by approximately 12% as of March 31, 2020, and substantially exceeded its carrying value as of October 1, 2019. We also performed an impairment test on our long-lived assets using an undiscounted cash flow model in determining the fair value, which was then compared to book value of the asset groups evaluated. Estimates and significant assumptions included in the long-lived asset impairment analysis included identification of the primary asset in each asset group and undiscounted cash flow projections. We concluded that our indefinite-lived intangible assets and long-lived assets were not impaired based on the results of the quantitative analyses performed. No impairment triggering events were identified during the three months ended June 30, 2020. We continue to monitor and evaluate the carrying value of goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets and long-lived assets. We have concluded based on our analyses that no triggering events occurred during the second quarter of 2020. Depending on how long the economic and social conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic exist and their future impact on state and local budgets with regards to educational spending, as well as discretionary consumer spending, we may be subject to further impairments in the future.

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates	3. 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 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 due to the application of significant accounting policies and estimates as described in our audited consolidated financial statements, which were included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. We evaluate our estimates, judgments and methodologies. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets, liabilities and equity and the amount of revenues and expenses. The full extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will directly or indirectly impact our business, results of operations and financial condition will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain, including as a result of new information that may emerge concerning COVID-19 and the actions taken to contain it or treat it, as well as the economic impact on local, regional, national and international customers and markets. We have made estimates of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic within our financial statements and there may be changes to those estimates in future periods. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Recent Accounting Standards

Recent Accounting Standards	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Standards	4 . Recent Accounting Standards Recent accounting pronouncements, not included below, are not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. Recently Issued Accounting Standards In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance to simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles, including simplification of areas such as franchise taxes, step-up in tax basis of goodwill, intraperiod allocations, separate entity financial statements and interim recognition of enactment of tax laws or rate changes. The standard will be effective in 2021, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this new accounting guidance, but do not expect it to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Recently Adopted Accounting Standards In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance on a customer's accounting for implementation, set-up, and other upfront costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is hosted by the vendor (i.e., a service contract). Under the new guidance, customers will apply the same criteria for capitalizing implementation costs as they would for an arrangement to develop or obtain internal use software. Accordingly, the guidance requires a customer to determine the stage of a project that the implementation activity relates to and the nature of the associated costs in order to determine whether those costs should be expensed as incurred or capitalized. The guidance also requires the customer to amortize the capitalized implementation costs as an expense over the term of the hosting arrangement. We adopted the guidance on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued updated guidance to simplify the test for goodwill impairment by the elimination of Step 2 in the determination on whether goodwill should be considered impaired. The annual assessments are still required to be completed. We adopted the guidance on January 1, 2020. In June 2016, the FASB issued new guidance that requires credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected, not based on incurred losses, as well as additional disclosures. The estimate of expected credit losses should consider historical information, current information, as well as reasonable and supportable forecasts, including estimates of prepayments. We adopted the guidance on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. We are exposed to credit losses primarily through our accounts receivable. We develop estimates to reflect the risk of credit loss which are based on an evaluation of accounts receivable aging, prior collection experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts of the economic conditions that will exist through the contractual life of the financial asset. We write off the asset when it is no longer deemed collectible. We monitor our ongoing credit exposure through an active review of collection trends. Our activities include monitoring the timeliness of payment collection and performing timely account reconciliations. At June 30, 2020, we reported allowances for doubtful accounts of $4.1 million, compared to $3.0 million at December 31, 2019, reflecting an increase of $1.6 million, prior to write-offs of $0.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. We are also exposed to losses on our royalty advances. Royalty advances to authors are capitalized and represent amounts paid in advance of the sale of an author’s product and are recovered immediately based primarily upon historical sales experience. Additionally, advances are evaluated periodically to determine if they are expected to be recovered on a title-by-title basis. Any portion of a royalty advance that is not expected to be recovered is fully reserved. At June 30, 2020, we reported a reserve for royalty advances of $128.3 million, compared to $119.7 million at December 31, 2019, reflecting an increase of $8.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020

Inventories

Inventories	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	5 . Inventories Inventories consisted of the following: June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Finished goods $ 230,643 $ 203,103 Raw materials 6,583 9,956 Inventories $ 237,226 $ 213,059

Contract Assets, Contract Liabi

Contract Assets, Contract Liabilities and Contract Costs	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Contract Assets, Contract Liabilities and Contract Costs	6 . Contract Assets, Contract Liabilities and Contract Costs Contract assets consist of unbilled amounts at the reporting date and are transferred to accounts receivable when the rights become unconditional. Contract assets are included in prepaid expenses and other assets on our consolidated balance sheets. Contract liabilities consist of deferred revenue (current and long-term). The following table presents changes in contract assets and contract liabilities during the six months ended June 30, 2020: June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ Change % Change Contract assets $ 77 $ 109 $ (32 ) (29.4 %) Contract liabilities (deferred revenue) $ 834,027 $ 848,106 $ (14,079 ) (1.7 %) The $14.1 million net decrease in our contract assets and liabilities from December 31, 2019 to June 30, 2020 was primarily due to the satisfaction of performance obligations related to physical and digital products, and services during the period in excess of additions to deferred revenue. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, we recognized the following net sales as a result of changes in the contract assets and contract liabilities balances: Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Net sales recognized in the period from: Amounts included in contract liabilities at the beginning of the period $ 93,722 $ 75,294 $ 172,927 $ 123,823 As of June 30, 2020, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations, which includes deferred revenue and open orders, was $909.2 million, and we will recognize approximately 71% to net sales over the next 1 to 3 years. We capitalize incremental commissions paid to sales representatives for obtaining product sales as well as service contracts unless the capitalization and amortization of such costs are not expected to have a material impact on the financial statements. Applying the practical expedient within the accounting guidance, we recognize sales commission expense when incurred if the amortization period of the assets that we otherwise would have recognized is one year or less. We had deferred commissions in the amount of $31.0 million at June 30, 2020 and amortized $4.9 million and $3.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The amortization is included in selling and administrative expenses. Costs to fulfill a contract are directly related to a contract that will be used to satisfy a performance obligation in the future and are expected to be recovered. These costs are amortized on a systematic basis that is consistent with the transfer to the customer of the goods or services to which the asset relates. Our assets associated with incremental costs to fulfill a contract were $8.4 million at June 30, 2020 and are included within prepaid expenses and other assets (current) and other assets (long term) on our consolidated balance sheet. We recorded amortization of $1.4 million and $1.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The amortization is included in cost of sales.

Goodwill and Other Intangible A

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	7 . Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Other intangible assets consisted of the following: June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Cost Accumulated Amortization Total Cost Accumulated Amortization Total Trademarks and tradenames: indefinite-lived $ 161,000 $ — $ 161,000 $ 161,000 $ — $ 161,000 Trademarks and tradenames: definite-lived 164,130 (46,178 ) 117,952 164,130 (38,948 ) 125,182 Publishing rights 1,180,000 (1,149,960 ) 30,040 1,180,000 (1,139,426 ) 40,574 Customer related and other 449,840 (307,686 ) 142,154 449,840 (302,371 ) 147,469 Other intangible assets, net $ 1,954,970 $ (1,503,824 ) $ 451,146 $ 1,954,970 $ (1,480,745 ) $ 474,225 The change in the carrying amount of goodwill, which all relates to the Education segment, for the six months ended June 30, 2020 is as follows: Balance at December 31, 2019 $ 716,977 Impairment (262,000 ) Balance at June 30, 2020 $ 454,977 Accumulated impairment losses on goodwill as of June 30, 2020 was $262.0 million. Refer to Note 2 for a discussion of the valuation of goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets and long-lived assets along with the triggering event which resulted in a goodwill impairment of $262.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020. Amortization expense for definite-lived trademarks and tradenames, publishing rights and customer related and other intangibles were $23.1 million and $27.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Debt

Debt	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	8 . Debt Our debt consisted of the following: June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 $380,000 term loan due November 22, 2024, interest payable quarterly (net of discount and issuance costs) $ 353,680 $ 361,294 $306,000 senior secured notes due February 15, 2025, interest payable semi-annually (net of discount and issuance costs) $ 296,747 $ 295,893 650,427 657,187 Less: Current portion of long-term debt (19,000 ) (19,000 ) Total long-term debt, net of discount and issuance costs $ 631,427 $ 638,187 Revolving credit facility $ 100,000 $ — Senior Secured Notes On November 22, 2019, we completed the sale of $306.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 9.0% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (the “notes”) in a private placement to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and to persons outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The notes mature on February 15, 2025 and bear interest at a rate of 9.0% per annum. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, beginning on February 15, 2020. The notes were issued at a discount equal to 2.0% of the outstanding borrowing commitment. We may redeem all or a portion of the notes at redemption prices as described in the notes. The notes do not require us to comply with financial maintenance covenants. We are currently required to meet certain incurrence based financial covenants as defined under our notes. The notes are subject to restrictions on our ability to incur additional indebtedness, issu e certain preferred stock, redeem, purchase or retire subordinated debt, make certain investments, pay dividends or other amounts, enter into certain transactions with affiliates, merge or consolidate with another person, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets, sell certain assets, including capital stock, designate our subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries, redeem or repurchase capital stock or make other restricted payments, and incur certain liens. The notes are 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 notes. Term Loan Facility On November 22, 2019, we entered into a second amended and restated term loan credit agreement for an aggregate principal amount of $380.0 million (the “term loan facility”). The term loan facility is required to be repaid in quarterly installments of approximately $4.8 million with the balance being payable on the maturity date. The term loan facility matures on November 22, 2024 and the interest rate per annum is equal to, at the option of the Company, either (a) LIBOR plus a margin of 6.25% or (b) an alternate base rate plus a margin of 5.25%. As of June 30, 2020, the interest rate on the term loan facility was 7.25%. On July 27, 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”) announced that it will no longer require banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR after 2021. Our term loan facility provides that the administrative agent may determine that (i) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the LIBOR rate or (ii) the FCA or the government authority having jurisdiction over the administrative agent has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which the LIBOR rate shall no longer be used for determining interest rates for loans. If the administrative agent determines that (i) or (ii) above is unlikely to be temporary then the administrative agent and the Company will agree to transition to an alternate base rate or amend the term loan facility to establish an alternate rate of interest to LIBOR that gives due consideration to the then-prevailing market convention for determining a rate of interest for syndicated loans in the United States at such time. The term loan facility was issued at a discount equal to 4.0% of the outstanding borrowing commitment. The term loan facility contains customary mandatory prepayment requirements, including with respect to excess cash flow, proceeds from certain asset sales or dispositions of property, and proceeds from certain incurrences of indebtedness. The term loan facility permits the Company to voluntarily prepay outstanding amounts at any time without premium or penalty, other than customary breakage costs with respect to LIBOR loans; provided, however, that any voluntary prepayment in connection with certain repricing transactions that occur before the date that is twelve months after the closing of the term loan facility shall be subject to a prepayment premium of 1.00% of the principal amount of the amounts prepaid. The term loan facility does not require us to comply with financial maintenance covenants. We are currently required to meet certain incurrence based financial covenants as defined under our term loan facility. The 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 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 term loan facility. We are subject to an excess cash flow provision under our term loan facility which is predicated upon our leverage ratio and cash flow. 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. 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 cash flow hedges and qualify for hedge accounting under the accounting guidance related to derivatives and hedging. Accordingly, we recorded an unrealized gain of $0.7 million and an unrealized loss of $3.4 million in our statements of comprehensive loss to account for the changes in fair value of these derivatives during the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The corresponding $0.3 million and $1.0 million hedge liability is included within current other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. We reclassified $1.6 million from other comprehensive loss to earnings during the six months ended June 30, 2020. In connection with the term loan facility on November 22, 2019, we incurred a change in the mix of floating rate debt versus fixed rate debt. As a result, the aggregate notional of our active interest rate derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedges exceeded the outstanding floating rate debt notional by approximately $29.5 million. To accommodate for this notional shortfall, we partially de-designated one of our active interest rate derivative contracts. This involved splitting the notional amount with one portion remaining designated under cash flow hedge accounting, and the remaining portion, with a $29.5 million notional, left undesignated. There were no changes made to the interest rate derivative contracts from an economic perspective; the notional split is accounting in nature only. Beginning on November 22, 2019, the fair value changes on the undesignated portion of the swap flow through earnings, as opposed to being deferred as unrealized gains or losses in other comprehensive loss. The impact of this change on the financial statements as of June 30, 2020 was less than $0.1 million and was recorded in our consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020. We had $370.5 million of interest rate derivative contracts outstanding as of June 30, 2020. The interest rate derivative contracts matured on July 22, 2020 and are expected to impact earnings as unrealized losses are recognized. The amount that was reclassified from other comprehensive loss to earnings by July 22, 2020 is $0.3 million. Revolving Credit Facility On November 22, 2019, we entered into a second amended and restated revolving credit agreement that provides borrowing availability in an amount equal to the lesser of either $250.0 million or a borrowing base that is computed monthly or weekly and comprised of the Borrowers’ and the Guarantors’ (as such terms are defined below) eligible inventory and receivables (the “revolving credit facility”). The 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 revolving credit facility may be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time, without premium. The 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 revolving credit facility is less than certain limits prescribed by the terms of the revolving credit facility. The 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 revolving credit 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 revolving credit facility. As of June 30, 2020, 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. Guarantees Under each of the notes, the term loan facility and the revolving credit facility, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishers Inc., Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company and HMH Publishers LLC are the borrowers (collectively, the “Borrowers”), and Citibank, N.A. acts as both the administrative agent and the collateral agent. The obligations under the notes, the term loan facility and the revolving credit facility 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.

Restructuring, Severance and Ot

Restructuring, Severance and Other Charges	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring, Severance and Other Charges	9 . Restructuring, Severance and Other Charges 2019 Restructuring Plan On October 15, 2019, our Board of Directors approved changes connected with our ongoing strategic transformation to simplify our business model and accelerate growth. This includes new product development and go-to-market capabilities, as well as the streamlining of operations company-wide for greater efficiency. These actions (the “2019 Restructuring Plan”) resulted in the net elimination of approximately 10% of HMH’s workforce, after taking into account new strategy-aligned positions that are expected to be added, and additional operating and capitalized cost reductions, including an approximately 20% reduction in previously planned content development expenditures over the next three years. These steps are intended to further simplify our business model while delivering increased value to customers, teachers and students. The workforce reductions were completed in the first quarter of 2020. After considering additional headcount actions, implementation of the planned actions resulted in total charges of $15.8 million which was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2019. With respect to each major type of cost associated with such activities, substantially all costs were severance and other termination benefit costs and will result in cash expenditures. There were no costs associated with the 2019 Restructuring Plan in our consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019. Our restructuring liabilities are comprised of accruals for severance and termination benefits. The following is a rollforward of our liabilities associated with the 2019 Restructuring Plan: 2020 Restructuring Restructuring accruals at accruals at December 31, Cash June 30, 2019 Charges payments 2020 Severance and termination benefits $ 11,649 $ — $ (7,581 ) $ 4,068 $ 11,649 $ — $ (7,581 ) $ 4,068 Severance and Other Charges 2020 Exclusive of the 2019 Restructuring Plan, during the six months ended June 30, 2020, $0.7 million of severance payments were made to employees whose employment ended in 2019 and prior years. 2019 During the six months ended June 30, 2019, $1.7 million of severance payments were made to employees whose employment ended in 2019 and prior years. Further, we recorded an expense in the amount of $2.3 million of net payments to reflect costs for severance, which have been fully paid. We also recorded an expense in the amount of $3.4 million for real estate consolidation costs, which is reflected as a reduction in operating lease assets in our consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2019. A summary of the significant components of the severance/restructuring and other charges, which are not allocated to our segments and included in the Corporate and Other category, is as follows: 2020 Severance/ other accruals at December 2019 Severance/ other expense Cash payments Severance/ other accruals at June 30, 2020 Severance costs $ 758 $ — $ (736 ) $ 22 Other accruals — (1) — — — $ 758 $ — $ (736 ) $ 22 2019 Severance/ other accruals at December 31, 2018 Severance/ other expense Cash payments Severance/ other accruals at June 30, 2019 Severance costs $ 1,420 $ 2,263 $ (1,655 ) $ 2,028 Other accruals 270 (1) — — — $ 1,690 $ 2,263 $ (1,655 ) $ 2,028 (1) In connection with the adoption of the new leasing standard on January 1, 2019, the restructuring liabilities related to office space consolidation were reclassed on the balance sheet as a reduction of operating lease assets. The current portion of the severance and other charges was $4.1 million and $12.4 million as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	10 . 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 June 30, 2020 and 2019, we recorded an income tax benefit of approximately $1.3 million and an expense of $0.4 million, respectively, and for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, we recorded an income tax benefit of approximately $9.8 million and an expense of $6.9 million, respectively. An income tax benefit was recorded in the first quarter of 2020 and was due primarily to the book impairment on goodwill, which reduced the related deferred tax liabilities. For both periods, income tax expense was primarily attributed to movement in the deferred tax liability associated with tax amortization on indefinite-lived intangibles, state and foreign taxes, as well as the impact of 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 3.2% and (1.0)% for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and 2.5% and (4.5)% for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Reserves for unrecognized tax benefits, excluding accrued interest and penalties, were $15.7 million at both June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

Retirement and Postretirement B

Retirement and Postretirement Benefit Plans	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Retirement and Postretirement Benefit Plans	11 . 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 recognize the funded status of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans as an asset or liability in the balance sheet and recognize actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs and credits in other comprehensive loss and subsequently amortize those items in the statement of operations. Net periodic benefit (credit) cost for our pension and other postretirement benefit plans consisted of the following: Pension Plans Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Interest cost $ 1,097 $ 1,511 $ 2,194 $ 3,022 Expected return on plan assets (1,855 ) (1,918 ) (3,710 ) (3,836 ) Amortization of net loss 581 251 1,162 502 Net periodic benefit credit $ (177 ) $ (156 ) $ (354 ) $ (312 ) Other Post Retirement Plans Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Service cost $ 17 $ 15 $ 34 $ 30 Interest cost 107 144 214 290 Amortization of prior service cost 11 10 22 20 Amortization of net loss (2 ) (40 ) (4 ) (82 ) Net periodic benefit cost $ 133 $ 129 $ 266 $ 258 There were no contributions to the pension plans during the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	12 . 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 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: June 30, 2020 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Valuation Technique Financial assets Money market funds $ 118,288 $ 118,288 $ — (a) $ 118,288 $ 118,288 $ — Financial liabilities Interest rate derivatives $ 278 $ — $ 278 (a) Foreign exchange derivatives 40 — 40 (a) $ 318 $ — $ 318 December 31, 2019 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Valuation Technique Financial assets Money market funds $ 276,654 $ 276,654 $ — (a) $ 276,654 $ 276,654 $ — Financial liabilities Interest rate derivatives $ 986 $ — $ 986 (a) Foreign exchange derivatives 127 — 127 (a) $ 1,113 $ — $ 1,113 Our money market funds are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments. In addition to $118.3 million and $276.7 million invested in money market funds as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, we had $20.5 million and $19.7 million of cash invested in bank accounts as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Our foreign exchange derivatives consist of forward 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 contracts to fix the functional currency value of forecasted commitments, payments and receipts. The aggregate notional amount of the outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts was $9.7 million and $15.2 million at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Our foreign exchange forward contracts contain netting provisions to mitigate credit risk in the event of counterparty default, including payment default and cross default. At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, 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 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. The aggregate notional amount of the outstanding interest rate derivative instruments was $370.5 million as of June 30, 2020. 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 loss, net of tax, until the hedged cash flow occurs, at which point the effective portion of any gain or loss is reclassified to earnings. 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. We believe we do not have significant concentrations of credit risk arising from our interest rate derivative 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 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 non-financial assets for impairment. If an impairment did occur, the asset is required to be recorded at the estimated fair value. An impairment analysis was performed for the preparation of the first quarter report, as there were triggering events for the three months ended March 31, 2020 related to the decline in our stock price attributed to the market environment June 30, 2020 Significant Total Impairment Valuation Non-financial assets Goodwill $ 454,977 $ 454,977 $ 262,000 (a) $ 454,977 $ 454,977 $ 262,000 In evaluating goodwill for impairment, we first compare our reporting unit's fair value to its carrying value. We estimate the fair values of our reporting units by considering our market capitalization and other judgments. There was no goodwill impairment recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Impairment recorded for goodwill for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was $262.0 million. There was no impairment recorded for the six months ended June 30, 2019. Fair Value of Debt The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair market values of our debt at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. 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. June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Debt $380,000 Term loan $ 353,680 $ 332,459 $ 361,294 $ 360,391 $306,000 Senior secured notes 296,747 $ 283,393 295,893 301,441 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 June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. 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	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	13 . Commitments and Contingencies There were no material changes in our commitments under contractual obligations, as disclosed in our audited consolidated financial statements, which were included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. While management believes there is a reasonable possibility we may incur a loss associated with certain pending or threatened litigation, we are not able to estimate such amount, if any, 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. In April 2019, we were notified of an unasserted claim by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico with regards to payments in the amount of approximately $33.0 million that we received in the normal course of business during the four year period prior to the May 3, 2017 bankruptcy petition of the Commonwealth public instrumentalities. Management believes, based on discussions with its legal counsel, that we have meritorious defenses against such unasserted claim. The Company will vigorously defend this matter if such claim is asserted. In September 2019, we were notified of an unasserted claim by Riverside Assessments LLC (“Riverside”) with regard to purported breaches of the Asset Purchase Agreement between the Company and Riverside dated September 12, 2018 (“APA”) and the Transition Services Agreement between the Company and Riverside dated October 1, 2018. Management believes, based on discussions with its legal counsel, that we have meritorious defenses against such unasserted claim. With regard to the alleged breaches of the APA, the APA provides that the Company may be liable only for that portion of Riverside’s damages that exceeds $1.4 million, and in an amount that shall not exceed $1.4 million, which we believe would be the maximum exposure. For damages above $2.8 million, Riverside obtained a representation and warranty insurance policy as required by the APA. The Company will vigorously defend this matter if such claim is asserted. In January 2018, Vanderbilt University (“Vanderbilt”) filed a complaint against the Company and others in connection with a license agreement originally entered into between Vanderbilt and Scholastic Inc. in 1997 and subsequently assigned to the Company as part of our acquisition of Scholastic’s Educational Technology and Services business pursuant to the stock and asset purchase agreement dated April 23, 2015. Vanderbilt alleges entitlement to additional royalties in connection with READ 180 and other products acquired from Scholastic and alleges trademark infringement in the marketing of these products. The Company is vigorously defending this matter. In connection with an agreement with a development content provider, we agreed to act as guarantor to that party’s loan to finance such development. Such guarantee is expected to remain until 2020. Under the guarantee, we believe the maximum future payments to approximate $13.1 million. In the unlikely event that we are required to make payments on behalf of the development content provider, we would have recourse against the development content provider. We were contingently liable for $1.4 million and $2.5 million of performance-related surety bonds for our operating activities as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. An aggregate of $19.7 million 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. 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 June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

Net Loss Per Share

Net Loss Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Loss Per Share	14 . Net Loss Per Share The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Numerator Net loss attributable to common stockholders $ (38,168 ) $ (40,613 ) $ (384,141 ) $ (157,975 ) Denominator Weighted average shares outstanding Basic 125,458,566 124,147,961 125,073,770 123,974,266 Diluted 125,458,566 124,147,961 125,073,770 123,974,266 Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders Basic $ (0.30 ) $ (0.33 ) $ (3.07 ) $ (1.27 ) Diluted $ (0.30 ) $ (0.33 ) $ (3.07 ) $ (1.27 ) As we incurred a net loss in the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, presented above, all outstanding stock options and restricted stock units 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 June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Stock options 2,313,612 3,128,926 2,313,612 3,128,926 Restricted stock units 4,569,914 4,113,655 3,631,697 3,454,860

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	15 . Segment Reporting As of June 30, 2020, we had two reportable segments (Education and HMH Books & Media). 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 who are not keeping pace with peers, professional development and school reform services. Our HMH Books & Media 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 distribution channels for HMH Books & Media products are retail stores, both physical and online, and wholesalers. 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, derivative instruments charges, acquisition/disposition-related activity, restructuring/integration costs, severance, separation costs and facility closures, equity compensation charges, legal settlement charges, gains or losses from divestitures, amortization and depreciation expenses, as well as interest and taxes, 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. Three Months Ended June 30, (in thousands) Education HMH Books & Media Corporate/ Other 2020 Net sales $ 216,063 $ 35,153 $ — Segment Adjusted EBITDA 44,380 254 (8,766 ) 2019 Net sales $ 349,801 $ 39,095 $ — Segment Adjusted EBITDA 56,456 (211 ) (8,959 ) Six Months Ended June 30, (in thousands) Education HMH Books & Media Corporate/ Other 2020 Net sales $ 367,648 $ 73,493 $ — Segment Adjusted EBITDA 39,515 (426 ) (20,608 ) 2019 Net sales $ 503,645 $ 79,886 $ — Segment Adjusted EBITDA 35,491 3,958 (18,669 ) The following table disaggregates our net sales by major source: Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 (in thousands) Education HMH Books & Media Consolidated Core solutions (1) $ 118,816 $ — $ 118,816 Extensions (2) 97,247 — 97,247 HMH Books & Media products — 35,153 35,153 Net sales $ 216,063 $ 35,153 $ 251,216 Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 (in thousands) Education HMH Books & Media Consolidated Core solutions (1) $ 184,049 $ — $ 184,049 Extensions (2) 183,599 — 183,599 HMH Books & Media products — 73,493 73,493 Net sales $ 367,648 $ 73,493 $ 441,141 Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 (in thousands) Education HMH Books & Media Consolidated Core solutions (1) $ 168,042 $ — $ 168,042 Extensions (2) 181,759 — 181,759 HMH Books & Media products — 39,095 39,095 Net sales $ 349,801 $ 39,095 $ 388,896 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (in thousands) Education HMH Books & Media Consolidated Core solutions (1) $ 220,036 $ — $ 220,036 Extensions (2) 283,609 — 283,609 HMH Books & Media products — 79,886 79,886 Net sales $ 503,645 $ 79,886 $ 583,531 (1) Comprehensive solutions primarily for reading, math, science and social studies programs. (2) Primarily consists of our Heinemann brand, intervention, supplemental, and formative assessment products as well as professional services. Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the consolidated statements of operations is as follows: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, (in thousands) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Total Adjusted EBITDA $ 35,868 $ 47,286 $ 18,481 $ 20,780 Interest expense (17,482 ) (11,963 ) (34,265 ) (23,545 ) Interest income 75 97 841 1,189 Depreciation expense (12,961 ) (16,865 ) (25,450 ) (33,044 ) Amortization expense – film asset (156 ) (1,760 ) (156 ) (6,772 ) Amortization expense (42,739 ) (48,622 ) (85,475 ) (95,833 ) Non-cash charges – goodwill impairment — — (262,000 ) — Non-cash charges – stock-compensation (2,163 ) (3,708 ) (5,639 ) (7,259 ) Non-cash charges – loss on derivative instruments 120 16 (260 ) (434 ) Fees, expenses or charges for equity offerings, debt or acquisitions/dispositions — (261 ) (27 ) (548 ) Restructuring/severance and other charges — (4,430 ) — (5,651 ) Loss before taxes (39,438 ) (40,210 ) (393,950 ) (151,117 ) Provision (benefit) for income taxes (1,270 ) 403 (9,809 ) 6,858 Net loss $ (38,168 ) $ (40,613 ) $ (384,141 ) $ (157,975 )

Significant Accounting Polici_2

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Standards	4 . Recent Accounting Standards Recent accounting pronouncements, not included below, are not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. Recently Issued Accounting Standards In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance to simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles, including simplification of areas such as franchise taxes, step-up in tax basis of goodwill, intraperiod allocations, separate entity financial statements and interim recognition of enactment of tax laws or rate changes. The standard will be effective in 2021, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this new accounting guidance, but do not expect it to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Recently Adopted Accounting Standards In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance on a customer's accounting for implementation, set-up, and other upfront costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is hosted by the vendor (i.e., a service contract). Under the new guidance, customers will apply the same criteria for capitalizing implementation costs as they would for an arrangement to develop or obtain internal use software. Accordingly, the guidance requires a customer to determine the stage of a project that the implementation activity relates to and the nature of the associated costs in order to determine whether those costs should be expensed as incurred or capitalized. The guidance also requires the customer to amortize the capitalized implementation costs as an expense over the term of the hosting arrangement. We adopted the guidance on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued updated guidance to simplify the test for goodwill impairment by the elimination of Step 2 in the determination on whether goodwill should be considered impaired. The annual assessments are still required to be completed. We adopted the guidance on January 1, 2020. In June 2016, the FASB issued new guidance that requires credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected, not based on incurred losses, as well as additional disclosures. The estimate of expected credit losses should consider historical information, current information, as well as reasonable and supportable forecasts, including estimates of prepayments. We adopted the guidance on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. We are exposed to credit losses primarily through our accounts receivable. We develop estimates to reflect the risk of credit loss which are based on an evaluation of accounts receivable aging, prior collection experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts of the economic conditions that will exist through the contractual life of the financial asset. We write off the asset when it is no longer deemed collectible. We monitor our ongoing credit exposure through an active review of collection trends. Our activities include monitoring the timeliness of payment collection and performing timely account reconciliations. At June 30, 2020, we reported allowances for doubtful accounts of $4.1 million, compared to $3.0 million at December 31, 2019, reflecting an increase of $1.6 million, prior to write-offs of $0.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. We are also exposed to losses on our royalty advances. Royalty advances to authors are capitalized and represent amounts paid in advance of the sale of an author’s product and are recovered immediately based primarily upon historical sales experience. Additionally, advances are evaluated periodically to determine if they are expected to be recovered on a title-by-title basis. Any portion of a royalty advance that is not expected to be recovered is fully reserved. At June 30, 2020, we reported a reserve for royalty advances of $128.3 million, compared to $119.7 million at December 31, 2019, reflecting an increase of $8.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020

Inventories (Tables)

Inventories (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventories	Inventories consisted of the following: June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Finished goods $ 230,643 $ 203,103 Raw materials 6,583 9,956 Inventories $ 237,226 $ 213,059

Contract Assets, Contract Lia_2

Contract Assets, Contract Liabilities and Contract Costs (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Summary of Changes in Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities	The following table presents changes in contract assets and contract liabilities during the six months ended June 30, 2020: June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 $ Change % Change Contract assets $ 77 $ 109 $ (32 ) (29.4 %) Contract liabilities (deferred revenue) $ 834,027 $ 848,106 $ (14,079 ) (1.7 %)
Summary of Net Sales Recognised from Changes in Contract Asset and Contract Liabilities	During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, we recognized the following net sales as a result of changes in the contract assets and contract liabilities balances: Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Net sales recognized in the period from: Amounts included in contract liabilities at the beginning of the period $ 93,722 $ 75,294 $ 172,927 $ 123,823

Goodwill and Other Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Intangible Assets	Other intangible assets consisted of the following: June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Cost Accumulated Amortization Total Cost Accumulated Amortization Total Trademarks and tradenames: indefinite-lived $ 161,000 $ — $ 161,000 $ 161,000 $ — $ 161,000 Trademarks and tradenames: definite-lived 164,130 (46,178 ) 117,952 164,130 (38,948 ) 125,182 Publishing rights 1,180,000 (1,149,960 ) 30,040 1,180,000 (1,139,426 ) 40,574 Customer related and other 449,840 (307,686 ) 142,154 449,840 (302,371 ) 147,469 Other intangible assets, net $ 1,954,970 $ (1,503,824 ) $ 451,146 $ 1,954,970 $ (1,480,745 ) $ 474,225
Schedule of Change in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill Relates to the Education Segment	The change in the carrying amount of goodwill, which all relates to the Education segment, for the six months ended June 30, 2020 is as follows: Balance at December 31, 2019 $ 716,977 Impairment (262,000 ) Balance at June 30, 2020 $ 454,977

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Our debt consisted of the following: June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 $380,000 term loan due November 22, 2024, interest payable quarterly (net of discount and issuance costs) $ 353,680 $ 361,294 $306,000 senior secured notes due February 15, 2025, interest payable semi-annually (net of discount and issuance costs) $ 296,747 $ 295,893 650,427 657,187 Less: Current portion of long-term debt (19,000 ) (19,000 ) Total long-term debt, net of discount and issuance costs $ 631,427 $ 638,187 Revolving credit facility $ 100,000 $ —

Restructuring, Severance and _2

Restructuring, Severance and Other Charges (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Summary of Restructuring Liabilities Comprised of Accruals for Severance and Termination Benefits	The following is a rollforward of our liabilities associated with the 2019 Restructuring Plan: 2020 Restructuring Restructuring accruals at accruals at December 31, Cash June 30, 2019 Charges payments 2020 Severance and termination benefits $ 11,649 $ — $ (7,581 ) $ 4,068 $ 11,649 $ — $ (7,581 ) $ 4,068
Components of Severance/Restructuring and Other Charges	A summary of the significant components of the severance/restructuring and other charges, which are not allocated to our segments and included in the Corporate and Other category, is as follows: 2020 Severance/ other accruals at December 2019 Severance/ other expense Cash payments Severance/ other accruals at June 30, 2020 Severance costs $ 758 $ — $ (736 ) $ 22 Other accruals — (1) — — — $ 758 $ — $ (736 ) $ 22 2019 Severance/ other accruals at December 31, 2018 Severance/ other expense Cash payments Severance/ other accruals at June 30, 2019 Severance costs $ 1,420 $ 2,263 $ (1,655 ) $ 2,028 Other accruals 270 (1) — — — $ 1,690 $ 2,263 $ (1,655 ) $ 2,028 (1) In connection with the adoption of the new leasing standard on January 1, 2019, the restructuring liabilities related to office space consolidation were reclassed on the balance sheet as a reduction of operating lease assets.

Retirement and Postretirement_2

Retirement and Postretirement Benefit Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Net Periodic Benefit Cost Components	Net periodic benefit (credit) cost for our pension and other postretirement benefit plans consisted of the following: Pension Plans Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Interest cost $ 1,097 $ 1,511 $ 2,194 $ 3,022 Expected return on plan assets (1,855 ) (1,918 ) (3,710 ) (3,836 ) Amortization of net loss 581 251 1,162 502 Net periodic benefit credit $ (177 ) $ (156 ) $ (354 ) $ (312 ) Other Post Retirement Plans Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Service cost $ 17 $ 15 $ 34 $ 30 Interest cost 107 144 214 290 Amortization of prior service cost 11 10 22 20 Amortization of net loss (2 ) (40 ) (4 ) (82 ) Net periodic benefit cost $ 133 $ 129 $ 266 $ 258

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
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: June 30, 2020 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Valuation Technique Financial assets Money market funds $ 118,288 $ 118,288 $ — (a) $ 118,288 $ 118,288 $ — Financial liabilities Interest rate derivatives $ 278 $ — $ 278 (a) Foreign exchange derivatives 40 — 40 (a) $ 318 $ — $ 318 December 31, 2019 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Valuation Technique Financial assets Money market funds $ 276,654 $ 276,654 $ — (a) $ 276,654 $ 276,654 $ — Financial liabilities Interest rate derivatives $ 986 $ — $ 986 (a) Foreign exchange derivatives 127 — 127 (a) $ 1,113 $ — $ 1,113
Summary of Non-financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Nonrecurring Basis	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 non-financial assets for impairment. If an impairment did occur, the asset is required to be recorded at the estimated fair value. An impairment analysis was performed for the preparation of the first quarter report, as there were triggering events for the three months ended March 31, 2020 related to the decline in our stock price attributed to the market environment June 30, 2020 Significant Total Impairment Valuation Non-financial assets Goodwill $ 454,977 $ 454,977 $ 262,000 (a) $ 454,977 $ 454,977 $ 262,000
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 June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. 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. June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Debt $380,000 Term loan $ 353,680 $ 332,459 $ 361,294 $ 360,391 $306,000 Senior secured notes 296,747 $ 283,393 295,893 301,441

Net Loss Per Share (Tables)

Net Loss Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
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 June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Numerator Net loss attributable to common stockholders $ (38,168 ) $ (40,613 ) $ (384,141 ) $ (157,975 ) Denominator Weighted average shares outstanding Basic 125,458,566 124,147,961 125,073,770 123,974,266 Diluted 125,458,566 124,147,961 125,073,770 123,974,266 Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders Basic $ (0.30 ) $ (0.33 ) $ (3.07 ) $ (1.27 ) Diluted $ (0.30 ) $ (0.33 ) $ (3.07 ) $ (1.27 )
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 June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Stock options 2,313,612 3,128,926 2,313,612 3,128,926 Restricted stock units 4,569,914 4,113,655 3,631,697 3,454,860

Segment Reporting (Tables)

Segment Reporting (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Consolidated Net Income (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. Three Months Ended June 30, (in thousands) Education HMH Books & Media Corporate/ Other 2020 Net sales $ 216,063 $ 35,153 $ — Segment Adjusted EBITDA 44,380 254 (8,766 ) 2019 Net sales $ 349,801 $ 39,095 $ — Segment Adjusted EBITDA 56,456 (211 ) (8,959 ) Six Months Ended June 30, (in thousands) Education HMH Books & Media Corporate/ Other 2020 Net sales $ 367,648 $ 73,493 $ — Segment Adjusted EBITDA 39,515 (426 ) (20,608 ) 2019 Net sales $ 503,645 $ 79,886 $ — Segment Adjusted EBITDA 35,491 3,958 (18,669 )
Summary of Net Sales	The following table disaggregates our net sales by major source: Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 (in thousands) Education HMH Books & Media Consolidated Core solutions (1) $ 118,816 $ — $ 118,816 Extensions (2) 97,247 — 97,247 HMH Books & Media products — 35,153 35,153 Net sales $ 216,063 $ 35,153 $ 251,216 Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 (in thousands) Education HMH Books & Media Consolidated Core solutions (1) $ 184,049 $ — $ 184,049 Extensions (2) 183,599 — 183,599 HMH Books & Media products — 73,493 73,493 Net sales $ 367,648 $ 73,493 $ 441,141 Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 (in thousands) Education HMH Books & Media Consolidated Core solutions (1) $ 168,042 $ — $ 168,042 Extensions (2) 181,759 — 181,759 HMH Books & Media products — 39,095 39,095 Net sales $ 349,801 $ 39,095 $ 388,896 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 (in thousands) Education HMH Books & Media Consolidated Core solutions (1) $ 220,036 $ — $ 220,036 Extensions (2) 283,609 — 283,609 HMH Books & Media products — 79,886 79,886 Net sales $ 503,645 $ 79,886 $ 583,531 (1) Comprehensive solutions primarily for reading, math, science and social studies programs. (2) Primarily consists of our Heinemann brand, intervention, supplemental, and formative assessment products as well as professional services.
Consolidated Statements of Operations	Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the consolidated statements of operations is as follows: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, (in thousands) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Total Adjusted EBITDA $ 35,868 $ 47,286 $ 18,481 $ 20,780 Interest expense (17,482 ) (11,963 ) (34,265 ) (23,545 ) Interest income 75 97 841 1,189 Depreciation expense (12,961 ) (16,865 ) (25,450 ) (33,044 ) Amortization expense – film asset (156 ) (1,760 ) (156 ) (6,772 ) Amortization expense (42,739 ) (48,622 ) (85,475 ) (95,833 ) Non-cash charges – goodwill impairment — — (262,000 ) — Non-cash charges – stock-compensation (2,163 ) (3,708 ) (5,639 ) (7,259 ) Non-cash charges – loss on derivative instruments 120 16 (260 ) (434 ) Fees, expenses or charges for equity offerings, debt or acquisitions/dispositions — (261 ) (27 ) (548 ) Restructuring/severance and other charges — (4,430 ) — (5,651 ) Loss before taxes (39,438 ) (40,210 ) (393,950 ) (151,117 ) Provision (benefit) for income taxes (1,270 ) 403 (9,809 ) 6,858 Net loss $ (38,168 ) $ (40,613 ) $ (384,141 ) $ (157,975 )

Basis of Presentation - Additio

Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) Student in Millions, Educator in Millions	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020StudentCountryEducatorSegment	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Services provided, number of students | Student	50
Services provided, number of countries | Country	150
Services provided, number of educators | Educator	3
Number of business segments | Segment	2
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%
Seasonal Concentration Risk [Member] | Consolidated Net Sales [Member] | Education [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Consolidated net sales, realized percentage		87.00%

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandem_2

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic - Additional Information (Detail)	Aug. 06, 2020USD ($)Employee	Apr. 30, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020
Unusual Or Infrequent Item [Line Items]
Borrowings under credit facility				$ 150,000,000	$ 60,000,000
Impairment charge for goodwill			$ 0	262,000,000	$ 0
Fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets in excess of carrying value						12.00%
Education Reporting Unit [Member]
Unusual Or Infrequent Item [Line Items]
Impairment charge for goodwill				262,000,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Early Retirement Incentive Program [Member]
Unusual Or Infrequent Item [Line Items]
Minimum eligible age of employees to offer voluntary retirement program	55 years
Minimum years of employee service to offer voluntary retirement program	5 years
Estimated number of employees eligible to participate in voluntary retirement program | Employee	625
Estimated percentage of employee base, eligible to participate in voluntary retirement program	18.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Unusual Or Infrequent Item [Line Items]
Borrowings under credit facility		$ 150,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility, outstanding			$ 100,000,000	$ 100,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Unusual Or Infrequent Item [Line Items]
Revolving Credit Facility, outstanding	$ 0

Recent Accounting Standards - A

Recent Accounting Standards - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
New Accounting Pronouncements Or Change In Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 4.1	$ 3
Increase in allowance for doubtful accounts	1.6
Allowance for doubtful accounts, write-offs	0.5
Reserve for Royalty Advances [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements Or Change In Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Reserve balance	128.3	$ 119.7
Increase in advance royalties reserve	$ 8.6

Inventories - Schedule of Inven

Inventories - Schedule of Inventories (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Finished goods	$ 230,643	$ 203,103
Raw materials	6,583	9,956
Inventories	$ 237,226	$ 213,059

Contract Assets, Contract Lia_3

Contract Assets, Contract Liabilities and Contract Costs - Summary of Changes in Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Change In Contract With Customer Asset And Liability [Abstract]
Contract with customer assets	$ 77	$ 109
Contract with customer assets change	$ (32)
Contract with customer assets percentage change	(29.40%)
Contract with customer liabilities	$ 834,027	$ 848,106
Contract with customer liabilities change	$ (14,079)
Contract with customer liabilities percentage change	(1.70%)

Contract Assets, Contract Lia_4

Contract Assets, Contract Liabilities and Contract Costs - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Capitalized Contract Cost [Line Items]
Net decrease in contract assets and liabilities	$ (14,100)		$ (14,100)
Aggregate amount of transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations	$ 909,200
Percentage of transaction recognized	71.00%
Deferred commissions	$ 31,027		$ 29,291
Amortization of deferred commissions	4,900	$ 3,600
Contract cost	8,400
Amortization contract cost	$ 1,400	$ 1,600
Minimum [Member]
Capitalized Contract Cost [Line Items]
Period of duration for recognition of transaction	1 year
Maximum [Member]
Capitalized Contract Cost [Line Items]
Period of duration for recognition of transaction	3 years

Contract Assets, Contract Lia_5

Contract Assets, Contract Liabilities and Contract Costs - Summary of Net Sales Recognised from Changes in Contract Asset and Contract Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Revenues [Abstract]
Amounts included in contract liabilities at the beginning of the period	$ 93,722	$ 75,294	$ 172,927	$ 123,823

Goodwill and Other Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Schedule of Other Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	$ 1,954,970	$ 1,954,970
Accumulated Amortization	(1,503,824)	(1,480,745)
Total	451,146	474,225
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Trademarks and tradenames indefinite-lived	161,000	161,000
Cost	164,130	164,130
Accumulated Amortization	(46,178)	(38,948)
Total	117,952	125,182
Publishing Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	1,180,000	1,180,000
Accumulated Amortization	(1,149,960)	(1,139,426)
Total	30,040	40,574
Customer Related and Other [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	449,840	449,840
Accumulated Amortization	(307,686)	(302,371)
Total	$ 142,154	$ 147,469

Goodwill and Other Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Schedule of Change in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill Relates to the Education Segment (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Balance at December 31, 2019		$ 716,977,000
Impairment	$ 0	(262,000,000)	$ 0
Balance at June 30, 2020	$ 454,977,000	$ 454,977,000

Goodwill and Other Intangible_5

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Accumulated impairment losses on goodwill	$ 262,000,000		$ 262,000,000
Impairment charge for goodwill	0		262,000,000	$ 0
Amortization expense	$ 4,709,000	$ 6,271,000	10,534,000	13,876,000
Definite-lived Trademarks and Tradenames, Publishing Rights and Customer Related and Other Intangibles [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense			$ 23,100,000	$ 27,000,000

Debt - Long-Term Debt (Detail)

Debt - Long-Term Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt	$ 650,427	$ 657,187
Less: Current portion of long-term debt	(19,000)	(19,000)
Total long-term debt, net of discount and issuance costs	631,427	638,187
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility	100,000
Term Loan Due November 22, 2024 [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt	353,680	361,294
Senior Secured Notes Due February 15, 2025 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt	$ 296,747	$ 295,893

Debt - Long-Term Debt (Parenthe

Debt - Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 22, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Term Loan Due November 22, 2024 [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan, face amount	$ 380,000	$ 380,000	$ 380,000
Term loan, due date	Nov. 22, 2024	Nov. 22, 2024	Nov. 22, 2024
Senior Secured Notes Due February 15, 2025 [Member] | Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan, face amount	$ 306,000	$ 306,000	$ 306,000
Term loan, due date	Feb. 15, 2025	Feb. 15, 2025	Feb. 15, 2025

Debt - Additional Information (

Debt - Additional Information (Detail)	Jul. 22, 2020USD ($)	Nov. 22, 2019USD ($)	Jul. 22, 2015	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Aug. 06, 2020USD ($)	Aug. 17, 2015USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments				$ 1,060,000	$ (2,077,000)	$ 729,000	$ (3,404,000)
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving Credit Facility, maximum borrowing capacity		$ 250,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility, outstanding				100,000,000		$ 100,000,000
Financial covenants, description						As of June 30, 2020, 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.
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Letter Of Credit Subfacility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving Credit Facility, current capacity		50,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Swingline [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving Credit Facility, current capacity		20,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Subfacility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving Credit Facility, maximum borrowing capacity		100,000,000
Minimum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed charge coverage ratio			1			1
Subsequent Event [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving Credit Facility, outstanding									$ 0
Interest Rate Hedging [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount of derivative instruments										$ 400,000,000
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments						$ 700,000	$ (3,400,000)
Total hedge liability included within current other liabilities				300,000		300,000		$ 1,000,000
Reclassified from other comprehensive loss to earnings						1,600
Interest rate derivative contracts outstanding				370,500,000		$ 370,500,000
Derivative contracts maturity date						Jul. 22, 2020
Interest Rate Hedging [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate derivative instruments						$ 100,000
Interest Rate Hedging [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Reclassified from other comprehensive loss to earnings	$ 300,000
Interest Rate Hedging [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount of derivative instruments		29,500,000
Interest Rate Hedging [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount of derivative instruments		29,500,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Senior Secured Notes Due February 15, 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan, face amount		$ 306,000,000		306,000,000		$ 306,000,000		$ 306,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage		9.00%
Term loan, due date		Feb. 15, 2025				Feb. 15, 2025		Feb. 15, 2025
Debt instrument basis spread		9.00%
Repayment frequency						Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, beginning on February 15, 2020.
Percentage of outstanding borrowing commitment issued as discount		2.00%
Term Loan Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of principal for subject to prepayment premium						1.00%
Term Loan Facility [Member] | Term Loan Due November 22, 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan, face amount		$ 380,000,000		$ 380,000,000		$ 380,000,000		$ 380,000,000
Term loan, due date		Nov. 22, 2024				Nov. 22, 2024		Nov. 22, 2024
Debt instrument basis spread						7.25%
Percentage of outstanding borrowing commitment issued as discount		4.00%
Amount to be repaid quarterly		$ 4,800,000
Term Loan Facility [Member] | Term Loan Due November 22, 2024 [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument basis spread		6.25%
Term Loan Facility [Member] | Term Loan Due November 22, 2024 [Member] | Alternate Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument basis spread		5.25%

Restructuring, Severance and _3

Restructuring, Severance and Other Charges - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Oct. 15, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring/severance and other charges				$ 4,430,000		$ 5,651,000
Payments for severance cost					$ 736,000	1,655,000
Severance and other charges		$ 4,100,000	$ 12,400,000		4,100,000
Operating Lease Assets [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs						3,400,000
Severance Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring/severance and other charges						2,300,000
Payments for severance cost					$ 736,000	1,655,000
2019 Restructuring Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Percentage of net elimination of workforce	10.00%
Percentage of reduction in content development expenditures	20.00%
Description of workforce reduction					The workforce reductions were completed in the first quarter of 2020.
Restructuring/severance and other charges		$ 0	$ 15,800,000	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Payments for severance cost					$ 7,581,000

Restructuring, Severance and _4

Restructuring, Severance and Other Charges - Summary of Restructuring Liabilities Comprised of Accruals for Severance and Termination Benefits (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Condensed Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Severance/restructuring and other accruals, Beginning balance				$ 758,000	$ 1,690,000
Charges			$ 4,430,000		5,651,000
Cash payments				(736,000)	(1,655,000)
Severance/restructuring and other accruals, Ending balance	$ 22,000	$ 758,000	2,028,000	22,000	2,028,000
2019 Restructuring Plan [Member]
Condensed Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Severance/restructuring and other accruals, Beginning balance				11,649,000
Charges	0	15,800,000	$ 0	0	$ 0
Cash payments				(7,581,000)
Severance/restructuring and other accruals, Ending balance	4,068,000	11,649,000		4,068,000
Severance and Termination Benefits [Member] | 2019 Restructuring Plan [Member]
Condensed Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Severance/restructuring and other accruals, Beginning balance				11,649,000
Cash payments				(7,581,000)
Severance/restructuring and other accruals, Ending balance	$ 4,068,000	$ 11,649,000		$ 4,068,000

Restructuring, Severance and _5

Restructuring, Severance and Other Charges - Components of Severance/Restructuring and Other Charges (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Severance/restructuring and other accruals, Beginning balance		$ 758	$ 1,690
Severance/other expense			2,263
Cash payments		(736)	(1,655)
Severance/restructuring and other accruals, Ending balance		22	2,028
Severance Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Severance/restructuring and other accruals, Beginning balance		758	1,420
Severance/other expense			2,263
Cash payments		(736)	(1,655)
Severance/restructuring and other accruals, Ending balance		$ 22	2,028
Other Accruals [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Severance/restructuring and other accruals, Beginning balance	[1]		$ 270
[1]	In connection with the adoption of the new leasing standard on January 1, 2019, the restructuring liabilities related to office space consolidation were reclassed on the balance sheet as a reduction of operating lease assets.

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax (benefit) expense	$ (1,270)	$ 403	$ (9,809)	$ 6,858
Effective tax rate	3.20%	(1.00%)	2.50%	(4.50%)
Unrecognized tax benefits (excluding interest and penalties)	$ 15,700		$ 15,700		$ 15,700

Retirement and Postretirement_3

Retirement and Postretirement Benefit Plans - Net Periodic Benefit Cost Components (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Interest cost	$ 1,097	$ 1,511	$ 2,194	$ 3,022
Expected return on plan assets	(1,855)	(1,918)	(3,710)	(3,836)
Amortization of net loss	581	251	1,162	502
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	(177)	(156)	(354)	(312)
Other Post Retirement Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Service cost	17	15	34	30
Interest cost	107	144	214	290
Amortization of prior service cost	11	10	22	20
Amortization of net loss	(2)	(40)	(4)	(82)
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	$ 133	$ 129	$ 266	$ 258

Retirement and Postretirement_4

Retirement and Postretirement Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Contributions to pension plans	$ 0	$ 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	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Financial assets
Financial assets	$ 118,288	$ 276,654
Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities	318	1,113
Foreign Exchange Derivatives [Member]
Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities	40	127
Interest Rate Derivatives [Member]
Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities	278	986
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Financial assets
Financial assets	118,288	276,654
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities	318	1,113
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Foreign Exchange Derivatives [Member]
Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities	40	127
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Interest Rate Derivatives [Member]
Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities	278	986
Money Market Funds [Member]
Financial assets
Financial assets	118,288	276,654
Money Market Funds [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Financial assets
Financial assets	$ 118,288	$ 276,654

Fair Value Measurements - Addit

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial assets	$ 118,288,000	$ 118,288,000		$ 276,654,000
Impairment charge for goodwill	0	262,000,000	$ 0
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount of derivative instruments	9,700,000	9,700,000		15,200,000
Interest Rate Derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount of derivative instruments	370,500,000	370,500,000
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		1,000,000
Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial assets	118,288,000	118,288,000		276,654,000
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	$ 20,500,000	$ 20,500,000		$ 19,700,000

Fair Value Measurements - Sum_2

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Non-financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Nonrecurring Basis (Detail) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Non-financial assets	$ 454,977
Total Impairment	262,000
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Non-financial assets	454,977
Goodwill [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Non-financial assets	454,977
Total Impairment	262,000
Goodwill [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Non-financial assets	$ 454,977

Fair Value Measurements - Sum_3

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Carrying Amounts and Estimated Fair Market Values of Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Schedule Of Carrying Values And Estimated Fair Values Of Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Debt, carrying value	$ 650,427	$ 657,187
Term Loan [Member]
Schedule Of Carrying Values And Estimated Fair Values Of Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Debt, carrying value	353,680	361,294
Debt, estimated fair value	332,459	360,391
$306,000 Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Schedule Of Carrying Values And Estimated Fair Values Of Debt Instruments [Line Items]
Debt, carrying value	296,747	295,893
Debt, estimated fair value	$ 283,393	$ 301,441

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantee expiration period			2020
Guarantee future payments			$ 13,100,000
Performance related surety bonds for which the Company is contingently liable			1,400,000	$ 2,500,000
Aggregate letter of credit			19,700,000	23,700,000
Letter of credit backed by performance related surety bonds			700,000	700,000
Indemnification liabilities			$ 0	$ 0
Minimum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Liable for portion of damages	$ 1,400,000
Requirement of warranty insurance for damages limit amount	2,800,000
Unasserted Claim [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Unasserted claim, payments in the amount		$ 33,000,000
Unasserted Claim [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Unasserted claim, payments in the amount	$ 1,400,000

Net Loss Per Share - Computatio

Net Loss Per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Numerator
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	$ (38,168)	$ (345,973)	$ (40,613)	$ (117,362)	$ (384,141)	$ (157,975)
Denominator
Weighted average shares outstanding Basic	125,458,566		124,147,961		125,073,770	123,974,266
Weighted average shares outstanding Diluted	125,458,566		124,147,961		125,073,770	123,974,266
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders
Basic	$ (0.30)		$ (0.33)		$ (3.07)	$ (1.27)
Diluted	$ (0.30)		$ (0.33)		$ (3.07)	$ (1.27)

Net Loss Per Share - Summary of

Net Loss Per Share - Summary of Anti-Dilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Diluted EPS (Detail) - shares	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Stock Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted EPS	2,313,612	3,128,926	2,313,612	3,128,926
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted EPS	4,569,914	4,113,655	3,631,697	3,454,860

Segment Reporting - Additional

Segment Reporting - Additional Information (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	2

Segment Reporting - Consolidate

Segment Reporting - Consolidated Net Income (Loss) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 251,216	$ 388,896	$ 441,141	$ 583,531
Segment Adjusted EBITDA	35,868	47,286	18,481	20,780
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	251,216	388,896	441,141	583,531
Operating Segments [Member] | Education [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	216,063	349,801	367,648	503,645
Segment Adjusted EBITDA	44,380	56,456	39,515	35,491
Operating Segments [Member] | HMH Books & Media [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	35,153	39,095	73,493	79,886
Segment Adjusted EBITDA	254	(211)	(426)	3,958
Corporate/Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment Adjusted EBITDA	$ (8,766)	$ (8,959)	$ (20,608)	$ (18,669)

Segment Reporting - Summary of

Segment Reporting - Summary of Net Sales (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Net sales		$ 251,216	$ 388,896	$ 441,141	$ 583,531
Operating Segments [Member]
Net sales		251,216	388,896	441,141	583,531
Operating Segments [Member] | Education [Member]
Net sales		216,063	349,801	367,648	503,645
Operating Segments [Member] | HMH Books & Media [Member]
Net sales		35,153	39,095	73,493	79,886
Core Solutions [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Net sales	[1]	118,816	168,042	184,049	220,036
Core Solutions [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Education [Member]
Net sales	[1]	118,816	168,042	184,049	220,036
Extensions [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Net sales	[2]	97,247	181,759	183,599	283,609
Extensions [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Education [Member]
Net sales	[2]	97,247	181,759	183,599	283,609
HMH Books & Media Products [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Net sales		35,153	39,095	73,493	79,886
HMH Books & Media Products [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | HMH Books & Media [Member]
Net sales		$ 35,153	$ 39,095	$ 73,493	$ 79,886
[1]	Comprehensive solutions primarily for reading, math, science and social studies programs.
[2]	Primarily consists of our Heinemann brand, intervention, supplemental, and formative assessment products as well as professional services.

Segment Reporting - Consolida_2

Segment Reporting - Consolidated Statements of Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Total Adjusted EBITDA	$ 35,868	$ 47,286	$ 18,481	$ 20,780
Interest expense	(17,482)	(11,963)	(34,265)	(23,545)
Interest income	75	97	841	1,189
Depreciation expense	(12,961)	(16,865)	(25,450)	(33,044)
Amortization expense – film asset	(156)	(1,760)	(156)	(6,772)
Amortization expense	(42,739)	(48,622)	(85,475)	(95,833)
Non-cash charges – goodwill impairment			(262,000)
Non-cash charges – stock-compensation	(2,163)	(3,708)	(5,639)	(7,259)
Non-cash charges – loss on derivative instruments	120	16	(260)	(434)
Fees, expenses or charges for equity offerings, debt or acquisitions/dispositions		(261)	(27)	(548)
Restructuring/severance and other charges		(4,430)		(5,651)
Loss before taxes	(39,438)	(40,210)	(393,950)	(151,117)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(1,270)	403	(9,809)	6,858
Net loss	$ (38,168)	$ (40,613)	$ (384,141)	$ (157,975)