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Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Microsoft's Gates joins 'Superman' school mission - Boston.com

Microsoft's Gates joins 'Superman' school mission - Boston.com

Microsoft's Gates joins 'Superman' school mission

FILE - In this Sept. 11, 2010 file photo, billionare Bill Gates poses for a portrait while promoting the film 'Waiting For 'Superman' ' at the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto.FILE - In this Sept. 11, 2010 file photo, billionare Bill Gates poses for a portrait while promoting the film "Waiting For 'Superman' " at the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto. (AP Photo/Carlo Allegri, file)
By David Germain
AP Movie Writer / September 22, 2010
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TORONTO—Bill Gates had the good fortune to attend private school, and he sends his children there, too. Yet the Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist has a passion to fix America's public schools.

Gates has been on a road show this year to promote the education documentary "Waiting for `Superman,'" talking it up at its January premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and elsewhere, including the Toronto International Film Festival, where the film played ahead of its theatrical release Friday.

"I certainly owe all my success to having had a great education. I went to an incredible school, and I remember the teachers who encouraged me. I'm so lucky. I had what every kid should have, honestly," Gates said in an interview.

"We're a country that talks about equal opportunity, but without a great education, there is no equal opportunity. And we're a country that talks about