A Lexington County legislator is trying to stick the state's nose where it doesn't belong -- mandating elementary school uniforms.

School dress codes may be a good idea, but the top-down approach isn't the way to handle the problem. Many Beaufort County parents and students who have had experience with school uniforms like them. Others don't.

Uniforms can eliminate competition and jealousy over clothing. Combined with other measures, they could improve students' behavior. But the idea shouldn't come from the legislature.

Rep. Ted Pitts, R-Lexington, began his quest for elementary school uniforms by saying that uniforms should be required in schools that receive poor ratings for two consecutive years on school report cards. Two weeks ago, Pitts tried to amend the language to include all 623 public elementary schools in the state.

The proposal hasn't gotten far with his fellow legislators, and it shouldn't. This is an idea that should start in individual schools where parents, teachers and administrators know what they want to accomplish by requiring students to wear uniforms.

Pitts may not even have a good idea of what he is trying to accomplish. In a story from The Associated Press, Pitts said, "I'm looking for ways to improve education without spending a penny." His goal is laudable, but he doesn't say exactly how his proposal will accomplish it.

Refocusing attention from what one wears to school to what one learns in school would be a noble goal, if it would work. This top-down approach has the potential of accomplishing just the opposite. The legislature would become the enemy. The focus would be on how to avoid this mandate.

In addition to the lack of information on academic outcome, Pitts has left two major questions unanswered: If this is a state mandate, who pays and what is the source of the money? The expense would fall to schools or parents. Many schools that adopt a uniform policy do so after great study and parental input, along with a great deal of logistical planning. That can include establishing ways for those who cannot afford the uniforms to do so.

This top-down approach deserves to die without further debate.