The purpose of this chapter is to establish standards of conduct for students and prescribe the substantive and procedural due process rights of students at the Washington school for the deaf. The procedures and standards set forth in this chapter shall govern the imposition of discipline. "Discipline" means all forms of corrective action other than emergency removal from a class, subject, or activity, suspension, or expulsion and shall include the exclusion of a student from a class by a teacher or administrator for a period of time not exceeding the balance of the immediate class period: Provided that the student is in the custody of a school employee for the balance of such period. Discipline shall also mean the exclusion of a student from any other type of activity conducted by or on behalf of the school. Discipline is considered part of the school's educational process. In every case of misconduct, the nature and circumstances of the violation will be considered and appropriate discipline will be administered on a less restrictive alternative basis including, but not limited to, time out, detention, behavior contracts, restriction of privileges, reprimand, restitution, suspension or expulsion.