School education for dependents of TN visa holder in Calif.

Hello-
Could anyone help me with the following 2 unrelated questions please:
1) I have accepted an offer in California that starts in January 2012.
We have a 12-year-old and I wonder if we have to pay the full
unsubsidized cost of his education if we send him to a p.s. (Are
we entitled to in-state fees?) I will be on a TN permit.

2) Is it true that TN permits are now issued for up to 3 years
at a time?

Many thanks,
Majid

1.TNs are not considered in state for school purposes -- particularly in california
2. yes

Thank you for that information.
Would an H1B visa (instead of TN) make all the difference then?
I.e., are we entitled to in-state fees for my son going to a public
school if I entered California on an H1B visa ? The employer is
willing to go through the H1B visa process for us.

Also, would my spouse be able to obtain a California DL if I am
on an H1B visa .

Your help is much appreciated.
- Majid

I'm quite sure for public school, any fees are the same for all students. It is State-fundedUniversity fees that are different for TN vs. H1-B. So TN vs. H1-B doesn't matter for your child.

Given that your spouse will not get an SSN either as a TD or an H4, again, the choice of TN of H1-B does not affect your wife either. You will need to check with cali DMV on what their requirements for Driver's license are, this varies from state to state.

Thank you for your time and the information.
Majid